Copy

British Legation,

Peking.

Enclosure No 3 in No. 547 to Foreign Office of

October 2nd, 1923, Governor of Hongkong

441

Sir,

from H., Minister of Oct. 2nd, 1923.

With reference to Your Excellency's despatch dated

March 15th last on the subject of the fees paid to the Hongkong Government by British China Companies registered in Shanghai, I have the honour to enclose copy, of a despatch from His Majesty's Consul General at Shanghai submit ting his observations on the various points raised in Your Excellency's

despatch above mentioned.

Mir

I have no comment to offer on the views expressed by

Barton on the subject of the annual and transfer fees

but with reference to the question of the contribution made

by Your Excelle ney's Gover rment to the expenses of the Shanghai Registry, I venture to think that he makes out a Good case for an increase in the annual grant and I trust

that Your Excellency will consider that the reasons advanced

by Ir. Barton ere such as to justify an increased contribu-

tion.

(Sgd.)

R. Macleay.

1