CO129-521-14 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 31-10-1930 - 10-1-1931 — Page 115

COPY.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG.

15th September, 1930.

107

SECRET.

My dear Sir Miles,

instant.

Many thanks for your telegram No. 53 of the 11th

I enclose in duplicate a new Draft Agreement, which I have discussed with the Acting Colonial Secretary (Hallifax),

the Acting Attorney General (Alabaster) and Lloyd. We think

that it should form a suitable basis for discussion, and I

shall be very glad if you will so discuss it informally with

Maze. It seems to give him most of what he suggests. At

the same time he should be informed that it has not yet been

communicated to the Unofficials or the Chamber of Commerce, and

it is possible that they may raise some objection, more especi-

ally to the powers reserved to demand manifests and, where

necessary, search vessels using the port. I thought it better,

however, for you to have a discussion with Maze in the first

instance, and see how near we are to agreement, before I discuss

it with the people here.

I enclose for your private use two or three notes on

certain of the Articles.

I am very grateful to you for your help in the matter,

and earnestly hope that we shall soon get the matter settled.

ith kindest regards,

Yours very sincerely,

(signed) *. PEEL

Sir Miles

5: #

Lampson, K.C...G., C.B., M.V.O.,

His Majesty's inister,

PEKING.