CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929 — Page 68

Copy of letter to Mr. Maze from Sir Miles.

Lampson, dated Peking. 8th October,

1929.

82

Dear Mr. Maze,

Many thanks for letting me see your confidential

letter of September 23rd to Sir Cecil Clementi on the sub-

Ject of the proposed Hong Kong Customs Agreement. I have

read it with great interest.. You seem, if I may say so, to have put the case for the Agreement very fairly and

forcibly before the Nanking Government and one can only hope they will be guided by your advice in the matter.

As regards the flag question there are as you know several practical difficulties in the way of British-

owned vessels flying the Chinese flag in Chinese waters

and much as we should like to meet Chinese wishes in the

matter we have not up till now been able to devise any workable scheme which would ensure adequate protection to British shipping if and when placed under Chinese juris- diction.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) MILES W. LAMPSON.