CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 286

Any reply to this letter should be addressed to—

THE SECRETARY,

TREASURY,

WHITEHALL, LONDON, 8.W., and the following number quoted.

280

TREASURY CHAMBERS.

34915

24 July, 1916.

REC REG 25 JUL !!

!

17167

16

.

sir,

Fo

29456

I have laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury Mr. Grindle's letter of the 28th ultimo and its enclosures relative to the proposed sale by auction of the premises of the Deutsch Asiatische Bank at Hong Kong.

Ly Lords observe that this scle is being carried cut in accordance with the policy recommended by an Inter- departmental Committee.

As Mr. Bonar Law is aware, it has been found necessary in the United Kingdom to allow Branches of Enemy Banks to remain open under licence for the purpose of completing pre-war transactions and no precedent has there- fore arisen here for the action of the Colonial Government. My Lords have, however, no reason for supposing that the decision arrived at is not in accordance with the necessities of the position at Hong Kong. The question of general policy is primarily one for the consideration of the Foreign Office.

der Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

I am,

Sir,

¡

Your obedient Servant,

B. Radhey

BTH