CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 461

Under Secretary of State.

Colonial Office.

10.6.25.

448

5.

The cases concerned under Category D, where the

right to protection has hitherto been recognised, are only those in which British Born Subject Certificates have been issued. These are very few in number; the total advantage accruing to the Colony from the issue of these Certificates is therefore very small, while, admittedly, the difficulties connected with the Consular Registration and protection of those to whom Certificates have been issued are very great.

The right to issue further Certificates to Hong

Kong born Chinese of the first generation is one that could hardly in any circumstances be freely exercised and the retention of the right would therefore seem to be of small value.

The abolition of the system for the future

(saving the rights of those who already hold Certificates) would not tend to a loss of British prestige: And if full and satisfactory recognition is accorded to the other Categories under consideration it would seem not unreason- able to make the important privilege accorded difficult to obtain, and so more valuable. A delay until the second generation would

natural- appear, therefore, to be desirable: isation would still be available for the few special cases that might arise.

This report is written without the opportunity of

reference to documents. We are not acquainted with the agreement between the Netherlands Government and the Chinese Government, dated June 20th 1911, referred to in paragraph 2 of Foreign Office Despatch to the British Minister, No. 30. (T.10070/3260/378).

Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

Downing Street.

Whitehall, S.W.1.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Rittallifer..

Commissioner.

Secretary for Chiners Affairs,

Houghour

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