CO129-549-14 Commission of Enquiry into trade of Colony 17-7-1934 - 18-1-1935 — Page 53

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interest. Sir William Shenton, a leading lawyer of the

Colony and an unofficial member of the Executive and

Legislative Councils of the Government of Hongkong replied to

Mr. Dodwell, in a letter to the press, copy of which forms

Enclosure No. 2. enclosure No. 2. to this despatch, combatting the suggestion

that Hongkong should introduce protective tariffs but implying

that an endeavour should be made to obtain tariff concessions

from the Chinese Government. During the latter part of June

the local newspapers contained a number of leading articles

discussing the various contentions and suggesting that some

formal body should be appointed thoroughly to examine the

situation and report.

5.

At a Meeting of the Committee of the Hongkong

General Chamber of Commerce held on the 27th June the Chairman,

Mr. C. G. S. Mackie, informed the Committee that he had been

authorised to state that His Excellency the Governor would be

pleased to appoint a Commission to enquire into the Trade of

the Colony as such was desired by the Commercial Community

and would appreciate an expression of opinion by the Committee

of the Chamber, After a short discussion the Committee

unanimously decided in favour of the appointment of a Commission

While I am of the opinion that after taking

6.

evidence and giving full consideration to all aspects of

Hongkong Trade and Industry any recommendations which can be

made by the Commission must, in view of the principal function of

Hongkong as an entrepot, and the political difficulties which

would be involved in any major measures, be of a conservative

nature, a Commission of this nature will be of value in

assessing the position of Hongkong both as a factor in the

trade of the Empire and as a channel for the imports and exporte

of/