CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933 — Page 57

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or wrongly, they consider as encroachment on what, they believe

should be their rights. In the interests of trade, therefore I am fully at one with you that needless controversy should be

avoided.

I agree with you, therefore, that the danger indicat- ed should be avoided, and I will exercise every endeavour to

see that it is avoided. As a matter of fact Commissioners have already been instructed to think twice before inflicting severe

penalties, and in their dealings with officials and merchants of

all nationalities to refrain from anything that would breed ill-

feeling, to avoid taking offence, and generally to act so that

the Customs, while obeying Government instructions, may not be

regarded as going out of their way to inflict needless hardship

on legitimate business.

Yours sincerely,

(SOD) F.W.MA ZE.