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arrange that collection of duties and supervision of
the preventive service should be entrusted to a branch
of the Chinese Maritime Customs functioning in Hong
Kong itself.
4. With regard to the further question raised by the
Governor in his despatch under reference that the Chinese
Authorities may endeavour to seize tariff autonomy and levy
duties on a scale which His Majesty's Government may not be
able to accept, Sir Austen Chamberlain is of opinion that
the measures to be adopted would largely depend on the
circumstances existing at the time. He is inclined, however,
to doubt the wisdom of taking retaliatory action against
the Chinese Maritime Customs, as suggested in paragraph 14
of the Governor's despatch of the 12th August, and he
would deprecate any steps of this nature being taken without
full previous consultation with this department.
5.
His Majesty's Minister, Peking and the Acting British
Consul General at Canton are being instructed by telegram to
send by despatch their observations on the two despatches
enclosed in your letter under reference.
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
F.Ashim. Cowarkin
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