211
PARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the officer Administering the Governmen
of Hong Kong to the ecretary of State for the Colonies.
Dated 20th February, 1930.
(Received Colonial Office 1.3 p.m. 20th February, 1930)
in te
Secret.
4604 62847425
Hong Kong-China Customs Agreement.
Your telegram
10th February. Possibility of alternative proposal was
mentioned in paragraph 11 of despatch No. 173 of 25th November
from H.M. Consul General at Canton to H.M. Minister at Peking
copy of which was sent to Foreign office as No. 54 and in my
telegram of 13th December to H.M.Minister repeated to you.
In the course of discussion of proposed Customs Agreement Mr. Lloyd, Superintendent of Imports and Exports, suggested as an
alternative proposal that Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs
should be given by Hongkong Government the information which
they hope to obtain by functioning in Hongkong and that such
steps as might be found practicable should be taken by Hongkong
to prevent junks launches and motor boats from clearing from the
Colony with incorrect manifests or from landing goods at
unauthorised destinations and that Hongkong Government should
generally assist C.M. Customs in prevention of smuggling into
China. Chinese Government would repay to this Government extra
expenditure incurred. Hongkong would also expect as a quid
pro quo some at any rate of advantages asked for in customs
Agreement.
It must be understood that this alternative scheme has
been proposed in bare outline only. It has not been worked out in
detail nor has it been discussed with mercantile representatives.
It does however offer an opportunity for continuing
negotiations should latest form of proposed Customs Agreement be
refused by China. I should be glad to be informed whether any
special
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