CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930 — Page 178

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Mr.Martin 17. 3. Mr.Gent 17

Mr.Ellis 17

Sir G. Grindle 18 at once.

72751/30. PARAPHRASE

TELEGRAM

H.Kong.

from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong.

(Sent 11.30 a.m., 19th March, 1930).

177

AY.

SECRET.

Your telegram of 20th February Hong Kong-China Customs Agreement. Information regarding Canadian and West Indian measures to which you refer will follow by despatch.

Meanwhile, please communicate to Inspector General of Chinese Matitime Customs for his comments latest draft of Agreement as enclosed in your Secret despatch of 20th November. Exception may, I fear, be taken to parts of the draft in its present form and it may be found impossible eventually to maintain certain of your proposals. You should therefore couch your letter to Maze in most non-committal terms, and should state that terms of Articles 5 and 10 ere at present under consideration by H.. Government. You should inform him that H.K.Government's final decision will be delayed until arrival of new Governor in Colony

and receipt of report from him.

Board of Trade are doubtful as to omission of

provision for bonded warehouses from new draft.

Copy of their

letter is being forwarded to you by mail.

Copy para to

!

F.Ö. lf.

B.T.

Copy (12) to 0.A.G., K.K.

lf.Secret (also l.f. on 15)

then recirc. to F.E.D. for despatch.