CO129-495 - Governor Sir Clementi - 1926 [11-12] — Page 161

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TELEGRAM

From the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of State

for the Colonies.

157

Dated 13th December 1926.

(Received Colonial Office 9.20 a.m. 13th December 1926)

91123

Your telegram of 7th December Trade between

Hong Kong and Canton remains very dull. Increase of deliveries

of British goods following official termination of the

boycott has not been maintained. This may be due to brigandage on the lines of distribution beyond Canton impeding absorption and approaching Chinese new year settlement due end of January is tending to restrict

transactions.

Enquiries for piece goods for next autumn usual at this season are not forthcoming. Fall in exchange and non-British competition in cotton piece goods may however

partially explain this.

Picketing of British river steamers by seamens Union continues to interfere with their passenger and cargo

traffic. Though fresh provisione are being carried in

increasing quantities Company informs me that steamboata

are running at a heavy loss. Shipments of Chinese produce between northern parts in China and Canton in British

bottom ie improving steadily and not interfered with.

Jardine Matheson and Company have resumed the construction

of new warehouses at Canton.

Canton Labour Uniona latest act of villence lightning strike forced on all employees of foreign style native banks. Demande extravagant including boycott of Hong Kong and Shanghai bank notes. Government reported to be about to intervene and repress unruliness generally but

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