CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930 — Page 384

COPY.

CONFIDENTIAL.

Extracted from C.S.0. 2 in 6064/29c.

Government House,

Hong Kong, 30th May, 1930.

386

•

My dear Sir Miles,

I intended to write to you as soon as I arrived, but put it off, partly because I was getting settled in, and partly because I wanted to see what further develop- ments were likely to take place in regard to the Customs Agreement. I wish we could get a chance of talking over It that and other matters, but it seems very difficult. is a bit early for me to try and get away, though I might do so later. If there is any likelihood of your coming

south on duty, I will try and meet you somewhere, possible. Meanwhile, I should be very glad if you could give me any private views on the subject of the Agreement.

In London I was tackled by Dodwell and other merchants, also by the C.O. and F.0., on this matter. confess that I got rather a shock when I was told at the beginning of the suggestion that China should be allowed

if

to run a preventive service in the territory and waters

I

of this Colony. However, it was impressed on me that it

was not as terrible as it seemed at first sight; but I

was never entirely convinced. I felt, however, that

Sir Miles W, Lampson, K.C.M.G., C.B., M.V.O.,

His Majesty's Minister to China,

British Legation,

PEKING.