CO129-507-9 Chinese Telegraph Office- Hong Kong- transfer to Cantonese control 4-1-1928 - 20-7-1928 — Page 96

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office, such merchant to be persona grata to the Hong Kong

Government and not to be an official, and the title of the

post to be "Commercial Agent in charge of the Chinese

Telegraph Office in Hong Kong".

3.

If the Canton Government so desires, I am now

prepared without further delay to put this arrangement into

effect.

The Chinese title of the post will be as follows:-

管理駐港中國電報局商務縂办

The merchant appointed to fill the post must be persona grata

to the Hong Kong Government, as also must be his successors

in office from time to time.

4-.

If this arrangement is to be made, I shall be

glad to learn as soon as possible whom the Canton Government

proposes to nominate for this appointment and when he may be

expected to arrive in Hong Kong. Directly the Hong Kong and

Canton Government have agreed on the nominee for this office,

I shall be prepared to inform Mr. Lau that I cannot permit

him to function any longer in Hong Kong as Superintendent

and on the same day as I make this notification I will instal

the new nominee as "Commercial Agent", giving him such

protection by the Hong Kong Police as may be necessary.

It is, of course, essential that the Canton

5.

Government should preserve secrecy in this matter until the

day for action arrives, as otherwise Mr. Lau might, while still

in occupation, injure the plant or abscond with the funds of

his office. I mention this point, as I notice that an

incorrect account of what is proposed to be done has already

found its way into the Canton vernacular press and has thence been copied by the Hong Kong vernacular newspaper.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

W. 1. Clemente

Governor, &c.