CO129-441 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [1-3] — Page 238

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Sir,

ひな

3816 8651 9721

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 22nd. February, 1917.

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of

your telegrams of the 2nd. and 19th. February and to confirm my replies of the 15th, and 22nd. idem copies of which are enclosed.

2.

I am unable to advance any valid objection to Messrs. Manners and Backhouse Ltd. scting as Agents for Messrs. Senders Rehders in Hongkong though I have no confidence in the latter firm, and I am doubtful whether at the termination of war Messrs. Backhouse mi Maners, whose amalgamation is, I understand, of quite recent date and who are negotiating for the agency here and at Canton of the Baloise Insurmce Comp my formerly held by Carlow- -its and Company at Canton, might not rejoin the German firms to which they formerly belonged, and I would much prefer that the agency should be held by a reliable and well established British firm. In this connection I would refer to my Confidential Despatch of the 18th. June, 1915,

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I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servent,

RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.

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Governor,&c..