CO129-537-6 Foreshores and Sea Bed Amendment Ordinance 1932 18-8-1932 - 17-1-1933 — Page 49

TELEPHONE

MANSION HOUSE 5856.

Sir,

ве

社中英

Y.

會華商

CHINA

AssociaTION.

358

99, CANNON STREET,

LONDON, E. C. 4.

6th December, 1932

cam

This Association has been in correspondence with the

Hongkong Chamber of Commerce regarding a Bill which the Hong-

kong Government proposes to introduce, intitutled "An Ordinance

to authorize and validate the construction and maintenance of

piers, reclamation and other public works in connection with

the foreshore and sea bed or Crown land covered with water",

published in the Hongkong Government Gazette on August 19 last.

Whether the Government is actuated by a desire to

embark upon some specific work, or only by a desire to be in a

position to undertake public works as and when the necessity

for them arises, my Committee is not sure.

They have directed

me, however, to draw your attention to the probable effects in

China of the adoption of a Bill conferring such wide powers as

those defined in the proposed measure.

They concur with the Hongkong Chamber in thinking

that the adoption of a Bill of this nature would almost certain-

ly be used by the Chinese Government as argument and precedent

for similar action in China, not necessarily in connection with

any particular scheme, or even with a view to potential

developments necessitating wide powers, but solely for the

political purpose of asserting sovereign rights.

In Shanghai, as you are no doubt aware, foreshore

rights already constitute a delicate question as between the

H.M. Under Secretary of States

for the Colonies,

Colonial Office, S. W. 1.