CO129-540-13 Proposal by Chinese Government to establish vice-consulate in Hong Kong 6-6-1932 - 30-12-1932 — Page 11

From

it would be easier to maintain opposition tot he

appointment of a Chinese Consular Officer in

Hong Kong if objection not raised to the

appointment of a Chinese official with limited

uuties in connection with consular invoices.

this point of view it woula, I should say, be

equally satisfactory if the consular invoice work

were undertaken by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

In any case Foreign Office state that the Chinese

Government appear to have abandoned the idea of

pressing for the appointment of a Consul.

I aɔ not know in what way the

regulations of the Chinese Maritime Customs

service make it impossible for the Commissioner

of Customs at Hong Kong to undertake these duties.

It appears from (8A) that the Inspector-General

of Customs was aware of no difficulty.

If there

is a difficulty, I presume that it coula be

removed if the Chinese Government so wesired.

I woubt, however, whether there is anything to

be eui ed by further pressing this suggestion

which the Chinese Government resists.

tree alternative

manim

As regards the suggestions

now maue by China, I think that Hong Kong would

probably prefer wwwwwwmumisu that consular

invoice work should be undertaken by the local

Chinese Chamber of Commer rce rather than by a

special delegate of the Chinese Government

minal, and I am inclined to obtain the views

of the Officer Administering the Government of

Hong song by telegraph without urging acceptance of

a special delegate.

Nos119 12

I submit uraft for conson.

? Recirculate after action

Hu Jamesa

12-9-31