CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917 — Page 316

Kong and

interestis

not representing

though

assisted by

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their advice.

13/14/17

AUC 14.11.17

Telegrams-"SHIPMINDER, VIC, LONDON,"

Any further communication on this foot should be addressed to—

MINISTRY OF SHIPPING,

The Secretary,

Malstry of Shipping.

and the following number quoted:-

71508/17

311

St. James's Park,

London, S.W. 1,

/ November, 1917.

sir,

REC

55341

REG 12 NOV 17]

I am directed by the Shipping Controller to refer to

Cov

Mr. Grindle's letter of the 30th ultimo, (No.52571/17)

enclosing a copy of a telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong

respecting the proposal for the control of shipping in the

East.

With regard to this matter, Sir Joseph Maclay desires

me to state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Long, that

his proposals, as embodied in the telegram sent Hong Kong

on the 12th ultimo (Colonial office papers No.50010/1917), do

Hrasto

fooday

J

not appear to have been understood by the Governor and his

advisers.

There has been no suggestion that the control of the

Hong Kong shipping trade should be centred in India, and Sir

Joseph Maclay will be glad if Mr. Long will be good enough

to make this clear in a telegram to the Hong Kong Government,

at the same time pointing out that Colonel Thomson in India

will in no sense be acting as a servant of the Indian Govern-

ment but as the Agent of the Shipping Controller in London.

Similarly, in relation both to the Straits Settlements and

Hong Kong, Colonel Thomson will be acting as the Shipping

Controller's Agent and in no other capacity.

The proposal that there should be a separate

representative for the Far East does not commend itself to Under Secretary of State,

COLONIAL OFFICE,

S.W.1.

Sir

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