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in his telegram of the 24th. November.
4.
11 JUL 18] At the beginning of November Lieutenant
J. R. D. 01dman, R.N.V.R., a member of the Vice-Admiral's staff and also a member of the Singapore Shipping Committee, was deputed by the Vice-Admiral to proceed to Hongkong, in order to study and report upon the question of vital require- -ments from the point of view of this Colony. I enclose & copy of the minutes of a mesting held shortly after his arrival, and a copy of a letter received soon afterwards
from the Vital Requirements Committee, as exemplifying the somewhat divergent views held at the time by the Naval Authorities on the one hand and the Committee on the other.
5.
At the urgent request of the Committee Lieutenant Oldmen proceeded to Shanghai, where he drew up a useful report upon the China Coast Trade in its relation to British interests generally.
6.
Colonel Thomson arrived in the Colony in January, and he at once proceeded to discuss the situation with the various representatives of the shipping interests; with entirely satisfactory results. The misapprehensiona which had existed regarding the purposes of his appointment and his intentions as regarded Hongkong were at once cleared away, and the most cordial relations were established. I enclose a copy of the minutes of a meeting held shortly be- -fore Colonel Thomson's departure.
7.
The Vital Requirements Committee had been reconstituted towards the end of 1917, in order that its pro- -ceedings might be simplified and expedited. The Harbour Master and the Naval Representative resigned their seats, and Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, Assistant Colonial Secretary, became Chairman, in order that the Committee might remain in close and immediate contact with the Government. At the same time
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