395
必
36.
ARAPHRASE TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
(Dated 30th July
July, 1930.)
Received Colonial Office 12.40.p.m. 31st
Addressed to Peking No. 13.
for the Colonies No. 86. Secret.
Repeated to Secretary of State Your telegrams of the 26th
also
June and 26th July. I am obliged for your assistance. I immediately saw Osborne and Lloyd and asked them to begin pre- liminary discussions. They have done so but (presumably under instructions) Osborne makes it a preliminary condition that we should permit the Chinese Maritime Customs to open their own cus- toms stations at various places in the Colony at which stations the junks must call and have their cargo examined and assessed and pay all Chinese dues. Foreign motor vessels and launches under one hundred and fifty tons must/call at them for examination, checking of papers etc. Osborne insists that this must entail operation of Chinese Maritime Customs Launches within Hong Kong waters with a view to detecting junks until satisfaction is obtained, a position which would lead to endless friction and which cannot be accepted by this Government. It is in fact the very concession for which the draft agreement provided and to which I am entirely opposed. Osborne objects to manning of such stations by
our officers with Chinese Maritime Customs liaison staff attached, which is, in my opinion proper and feasible course. Moreover apart from other considerations there are almost insuperable legal difficulties involved in holding up junks by Chinese authorities in Hong Kong waters. This unfavourable response to proposals which genuinely aim at assistance of Chinese Customs has greatly disappointed me. It confirms my view that they are not merely
concerned
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