CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12] — Page 217

!

Mr. Collins, Mr. Grindle,

In respect to the point raised at the end of Mr. Grindle's last Minute, the answer seems to depend

very much on whether the Government are anxious to

get out of this contract in any circumstances; or whether they are willing to go on with it if the proper financial backing is forthcoming. What I mean is this

-

I do not know what the financial position of the

promoters now is if we give them a hint that the

contract is likely to be cancelled, they may, if they are well advised make strenuous efforts to to present

the Government with a fait accompli, before the Conditional

general approval of the Legislative Council is

withdrawn. If they were to do this I think the

Government would be in a difficult position, though

if they are willing to carry on provided that the financial provisions are satisfactory, no harm will be done; and it is certainly desirable, if possible, to let the promoters know what is the exact position, if it can be done without letting the Hong Kong Government down.

H. GB

I

bur Geindle

Please see preceding minuti

by her Broker. I think

Selli

Jay

we

Lad

nothing to the homotors

until it tong has had time 5

not a

Mir

Suffedera

rato unless they wolly

ARC

}

4245

5.6.41216

at que

مان

at

any

further

!

223

!