CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930 — Page 254

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from time to time to Treaty Ports in China" (stop) Governor

of Hongkong is not prepared to accede to this amendment (stop)

Article No. 10 relates to protection of duties manufactured

goods going into China on not less favourable terms than similar

goods manufactured in China (stop) Hongkong message ends.

Shanghai Chamber of Commerce and China Association

telegraph as follows:

Committee Chamber of Commerce and China

Association this Port of opinion there would be no reaction

detrimental to general British interests should China refuse to

accept Hongkong China Customs agreement (stop) Modification

Article No. 5 suggested by China would have reaction detrimental

to British interests in China (stop) While Article No. 10 is

of minor importance omission from Article No. 5 might be con-

sidered by China tantamount to acknowledgment of Chinese Govern-

ment as represented by Customs Administration had right to

function Hongkong on own terms (stop) Therefore Chamber of

Commerce supports draft agreement as forwarded from Hongkong to

Colonial Office Butterfield and Swire Dodwell and Co. Ltd.,

dissent from above Shanghai message ends (stop)