CO129-509-6 Recruitment of Chinese labour in Hong Kong for work in North Borneo and Spanish guinea... 27-3-1928 - 27-12-1928 — Page 34

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We

particular Chinese labourers have apparently been

recruited in Shantung we are not very clear at

present how any British authority comes into the

matter. It seems to us a case in which, if possible,

the Hong Kong authorities should neither encourage

nor discourage participation by British ships.

shall thus avoid responsibility for the venture

and also avoid offending the Spanish Government.

question is however, one on which we feel unable to

write officially until we know how far the permission

of the Officer Administering the Government of Hong

Kong would, in fact, be necessary before British ships

could engage in the traffic. I understand that the

The

Colonial Ofiice are already telegraphing to Hong Kong

on this point.

We would like, of course, to know as soon as

possible what we may reply to the Spanish Embassy.

yours

evely

مد

R

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