CO129-455 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1919 [7-9] — Page 450

OPY.

THE HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Chartered Bank Building, Queen's Road Central,

Hong Kong.

9th September, 1919.

444

Sir.

I am directed by my Committee to approach you with

regard to Government Notification Nos. 152 and 278 of the 4th

April and 399 of the 20th June, 1919.

It may be said that practically nothing manufactured

in this Colony could claim to owe at least 75% of its to tal value to the labour expended upon it in the Colony and materials produced by the Colony, therefore this British Colony of Hongkong

would find itself in the unfortunate position of not being able

to enjoy the privileges of Imperial preference.

It is known to Government that all the materials which

from the basis upon which our principal local industries are

developed, come from outside the Coloby, I am therefore instructed by my Committee to urge upon the Government that it is of the

to the intereats highest importance indeed of vital importance

-

of the Colony that the qualification should be altered so that

it will not exclude anything manufactured within the Colony.

would secure for our industries Imperial preference; and would

tend to attract new industries and greatly enhance the future.

prosperity of the Colony.

This

The Honourable

The Colonial Secretary.

I 14,

etc.,

(sd.) 3.A.M. Williams,

Secretary.

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