CO129-513-5 Coastal and river trade- prevention of smuggling and illicit trading 15-10-1928 - 14-12-1929 — Page 104

In any further communication on this subject, please quote

No. F 1981/108/10

and address-

not to any person by name.

but to-

The Under-Secretary of State,"

Foreign Office,

London, S.W.1.

1.1

Sir,

FOREIGN OFFICE

S.W.1.

103

2nd May, 1929.

With reference to Foreign Office letter

No. F 7022/117/10 of January 25th last, I am directed by Secretary Sir Austen Chamberlain to transmit, herewith,

copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at

Peking regarding the proposed legislation of the Colony

of Hongkong to provide for the issue of licences to

British ships to trade on Chinese inland waters.

2. In view of the Governor of Hongkong's undertaking that, when the legislation is effected he will grant

licences only after consultation with His Majesty's

Consul-General at Canton and, in case of difference of

opinion, he will act on the views expressed by His Majesty's Minister, Sir Austen Chamberlain is prepared to concur

in the draft Bill in its present form.

30

Copies of this letter are being sent to Admiralty

and Board of Trade.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

F. Amém. Cownskin