3
it is very difficult for either Sir M.Lampson
or his Chinese Secretary to come to Hong Kong.
As regards the Customs agreement the
matter is just going to be discussed with
F.0. and little doubt that we shall have to
give in to China without getting any quid pro
quo, though the Chinese merchants in Hong Kong
don't share Messrs Swire's views as to the
desirability of this.
To turn to the first memorandum
I think it is true that an effort ought to be
made to employ more Chinese in the Government
Service, at present there are none in any
but quite subordinate positions. It is
true that those that are employed, the
"schroffs" and policemen are very apt to be
corruot, but those are naturally drawn from
the lower classes; and if we drew from a
higher class we might find them as honest in
Government matters as the Chinese merchants
usually are in commercial matters.
I agree that the head of the Chinese
Secretariat Mr Halifax is an ultra-conservative
officer; he is due to go in a short time.
As regards the P.W.D. I agree that
too many
Europeans are employed.
Sir C.Clementi's strong point was not finance,
and his Treasurer is a very weak vessel not
trained as a financial officer. He is going in
year's time, and a thoroughly competent
officer has been selected to succeed him.
As regards housing of Government
officials, it is important that people should
be properly housed and the point seems a
petty one.
As regards the water question,
they
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