CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12] — Page 292

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TELEGRAM from the Officer Administering the Comperent of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. NOV 18

Dated 29th November.

(Received Colonial Office 9.30 p.m. 29th November 1918).

Tho Your telegram 21st November Tin. Committee of Chamber 54234f Commerce which I have consulted oppose strongly the

placing of any local restriction upon what is purely a transit trade in Hong Kong. They confirm telegrams of 29th October and 22nd November sent by them to London Chamber and emphasise

again that Hong Kong is not a producing country and that the Allies cannot control effectively the Yunnan output particularly if Japan does not sign Agreement. The enforcement of the restriction in Hong Kong night endanger a very valuable reciprocal trade with Yunnan. They are most strongly urging that in any case this Government's discretionary power should be restored

for shipment to China up to limit of 3,000 tons. Licences

will be granted only to regular shippers in proportion to their shipments for the past 12 months. If Japan does not sign Agreement it will be essential to have similar arrangement for

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shipment to Japan.

SEVERN.