CO129-540-7 Dredging of Hong Kong Harbour 26-4-1932 - 1-10-1932 — Page 43

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IMPERIAL SHIPPING COMMITTEE,

NEW PUBLIC OFFICES

*.8.4.

9th September, 1932.

Dear Bottomley,

-/18

(opy inn i Boss(24)

On more than

Your letter of the 25th August (92660/32) on the

subject of Hong Kong Harbour, raises for me, as Chairman

of the Imperial Shipping Committee, a rather delicate

issue. For twelve years past the Committee have had a

remarkable record of unanimity, and upon that record not

a little of its influence has depended.

one occasion the representative of a Dominion Government

directly concerned in a disputed question has hesitated

before signing a report not wholly coinciding with his

Government's views, but so far we have always managed to

find a formula to which he could subscribe. I am

reluctant, unless it be quite necessary, to see a

precedent made in this relatively minor case. I gather

that a little delay would not cause much inconvenience,

and I would still suggest that Sir John Shuckburgh and

I might have a talk on his return when I have no doubt

we shall be able to find a solution which will be

satisfactory to us both.

Sir W.C.Bottomley, K.C.M.G.,

Colonial Office,

S.W.1.

Yours sincerely,

? (jd) H. J. Mockinder