CO129-517-2 Correspondence on proposed Chinese and Hong Kong agreements over Customs 13-11-1929 - 28-12-1929 — Page 98

In any further communication on this subject, please quote

No.

and address-

5746/52/10

not to any person by name,

but to

The Under-Secretary of State,"

Foreign Office,

London, S.W.1.

Sir,

62847/2, N11 (5) 112

324

FOREIGN OFFICE,

S.W.1.

13th November, 1929.

१

I am directed by Mr. Secretary Henderson to transmit

herewith, to be laid before Lord Passfield, the accompanying

copy of a telegram from the British Chamber of Commerce

at Shanghai to the China Association in London on the

subject of the proposed Agreement between China and the

Government of Hongkong relative to the Chinese Customs

In leaving a copy of this telegram at the

Foreign Office Mr. Dodwell, Chairman of the China

Association, expressed a desire to be favoured with the

views of the Foreign Office before sending a reply.

Administration.

2. If Lord Passfield sees no objection, Mr. Henderson

proposes to cause Mr. Dodwell to be informed that the

proposed agreement, even apart from Article V which refers

to inland water navigation, would appear to confer very

considerable benefits both on Hongkong and on China, that

the conclusion of such an agreement, besides benefiting

British commercial interests generally, seems calculated

greatly to strengthen the position of the Chinese Customs

Administration, and to have a beneficial effect on the

relations between Great Britain and China. With regard to

Article V the fears expressed by the Shanghai Chamber of

Commerce would appear to have no real foundation. It is

already admitted in principle that the conditions under

which British vessels may in future participate in the

coastal and inland water trade must be settled in

negotiation with the Chinese Government. The extension of

The Under-Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

inland/