62
7。
Authorities in the strongest terms the inadequacy
of the Customs Preventive Staff and to make it quite clear that this staff should be at once augmented and given whatever further assistance that may be necessary to enable them effectively to carry out
their duties without fear or favour.
Furthermore we shall be glad to have some definite information in connection with the various
Navigation and Opium Suppression Bureaux: it is useless to discuss the problem in any detached or academic spirit and if His Majesty's Minister is satisfied that it would be politic to enlist the aid of these Bureaux and so advises us we are prepared to investigate the matter thoroughly with a view to devising correct methods of procedure: it is under- stood of course that His Majesty's Minister is not only is prepared to give us the fullest protection against any attempt to abuse the privilege of search but will hold the Chinese Goverment to strict
account for any consequences arising therefrom.
In conclusion we urge upon His Majesty's Minister the vital need of doing everything possible to bring home to the Chinese Authorities the necess- ity for suppression of the evil at the source and recommend that his representations should be based entirely upon theirown criminal and timorous inact- ivity.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
pèr Pro BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE.
(SIGNED)
0.0.KNIGHT.
Agents, China Navigation Co., Ltd.
C.F.Garstin, Esq., C.B.E.,
H.B.M's Consul-General,
SHANGHAI.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.