CO129-525-1 Importation of French liquers 30-3-1930 - 7-10-1930 — Page 2

2

14-3-30

1. 7.0 W2463/2463/14

Pasumally the Bank f

Ехить

Forwards

lether from

from French Ambassader.

regarding restrictions said to be placed in the importation of Freuen spirituons liquors into Hung Kung.

By the Immature Spirits Regulations

(copy in 62915/29) the Governor of Hong Kong in

Council has prohibited the importation into the

Colony of all "uncertificated" brandy and whisky:

i.e. spirits which have not been proved to the

satisfaction of the competent local authority

to have been matured in wood for not less than

three years.

2.

In so far as French brandies are concerned

the Regulation has apparently been interpreted by

requiring in respect of them the production of a

certificate of age issued by the "Department

Contributions Indirectes"

be

-

3.

whatever that may

(see the enclosure to 1 in 62915/29).

The French Government now protests

against the operation of this Regulation because

the Administration of the "Contributions

Indirectes" has always refused to hand out such

certificates. Further, it is alleged that similar

requirements exacted by the Governments of certain British Dominions (including Ireland) are easily

satisfied by the signature of the mayors of the places where thespirits are produced; Hong Kong

apparently wants something more than this, but the

French ask that their brandies etc. may receive in

Hong Kong treatment similar to that accorded them

elsewhere