CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 372

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THE BRITISH AND CHINese CorporATION.

His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State för the Colonies.

LIMITED.

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18th August, 1925.

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secondly because it appears to us to be of the first

importance to the Colony of Hongkong that an efficient

through railway service to Canton should be maintained.

It is unquestionably true that neither this railway nor the British Kowloon railway are of a length to carry @conomically a complete administrative staff, and it appears

to us possible that a way out of the difficulty lies in the closer identification of the two railways, brought about by a development of the existing through-running agreement.

It would be in harmony with the present-day aspirations

of China towards freedom in the control of her public services

to modify the measure of direct British control over this

particular railway. And it would be a suitable course to

follow if a simultaneous extension of the influence of the

British Kowloon railway staff over the complete line were to

accompany the change.

I do not at this stage make any definite proposals in the matter, but my Board would be glad to learn whether the Government of the Colony would be prepared to adopt a policy of frank co-operation with the Chinese Authorities in Canton, in the direction I have indicated, with a view to the

restoration of the railway.

I have the honour to be

Your obedient servant,

Secretary.