CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930 — Page 71

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I will, of course, do what I can to recommend to

the Chinese Government the suggestion that joint action on

the part of Great Britain and of China for the suppression

of piracy would undoubtedly be of great benefit to China and

China's trade, both native and foreign; but I am absolutely

convinced that any suggestion that the Customs should take

part in such joint action would be strongly resented by those

Government Officials and Departments which at present are

supposed to be dealing with the piracy menace. I am also

convinced that even if these Officials could be appeased on

this point, it would be highly dangerous for the Service to

be coupled with action of this nature. Such work is apt to

have political repercussions and we must at all costs keep

the Service as free as possible from political embarrassments

or entanglements of any kind whatsoever!

Yours truly,

(Signed)

F. W. HAZE.