CO129-524-4 Chinese Telegraph Office in Hong Kong 30-12-1929 - 9-12-1930 — Page 37

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from the question of landing licenses, to which also the

Chinese had agreed in principle, was that of direct dealings

with the public, and this he thought was a matter of find-

ing a face-saving formula, such as the Cable Companies pos-

sibly acting as agents for the Chinese Administration, or

even, it was suggested, by having some nominal Chinese co-

The Cable operation or superintendence in the office. Companies also realised that they would have to give the

Chinese a bigger share in the reveme, which was likewise

a matter of bargaining. Also they realised that they would have to give the Chinese financial assistance in the form

of a loan. They found very little progress was to be made

by formal conferences and that the way to make progress Was

by informal lobbying and private conversations with the

Director General of Telegraphs, in which Sir M. Lampson conpurred, pointing out that this was the way he himself had to do a great deal of his business. There was also,

Captain Bahnson added, the question of canvassing, involving

distribution of forms, etc, which they wanted to secure if

they possibly could, and on which they thought it should be

possible to arrive at some sort of compromise. He agreed

with Sir M. Lampson that the Chinese were at present in a comparatively amenable frame of mind and that their general

temper was very much better than some months ago.

Sir M. Lampson said that he assumed he was right in thinking that no specific difficulties had arisen and that

there was no question of diplomatie intervention at present.

Captain Bahnson replied that that was so, and added

that they felt confident they would be able to come to

some arrangement, though he realised it would take time. He felt far more confident of reaching some settlement now

than he ever had in the previous negotiations in Peking.

The