CO129-510-7 Allegations of discrimination against United States companies in Hong Kong 22-3-1928 - 8-1-1929 — Page 41

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Colonial Office,

Downing Street,

3 October, 1928.

52835/28.

sir,

I am directed by Hr. Secretary Amery to acknowledge

the receipt of your letter C.R. T.1308/28 of the 5th of

September, on the subject of the alleged discrimination

against United States interests in Hong Kong.

.2. Mr. Amery is unable to agree with the opinion

of the Board of Trade that the Hong Long Goverment by

restricting motor omni us licences to British vehicles

are,

in effect, imposing a prohibition on the import of

foreign made motor omnibuses. If the Hong Kong

Government ran a Gov.rnment motor omnibus service, no one

would suggest that buying the vehicles from Britain

exclusively amounted to an import prohibition. The same

principle applies if, instead of establishing a Govern-

ment service, the Hong Kong Government chooses to

achieve the same end by licence. To take an analogy in

this country; if the unici, ality in Bir ingham in issuing

licences stipulated for British motor omnibuses only,

THE SECRETARY,

BOARD OF TRADE.