CO129-554-7 British Empire and China Trade Fair 14-5-1935 - 23-10-1935 — Page 70

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India and with the Canadian Goverment Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong and with His Majesty's Senior Trade Commissioner in Capetown informing them that the scheme had the entire sympathy of this Government as well as a certain amount of financial support, and recommending the organisers as a local firm of good standing, which fact had been confirmed to me on reference to their bankers. Sympathetic replies have been

received from the Goverments of the Dominions.

4.

I have been throughout these negotiations in constant touch with His Majesty's Trade Commissioner, who has informed me that the Department of Overseas Trade view the project with favour. The Department which has been kept fully informed by the Trade Commissioner has authorised the Commissioner to give the project all proper support without

making himself in any way responsible.

5.

I have myself accepted the honorary position

of Patron of the Fair, and have authorised any officers of

this Government who may be approached to accept honorary membership of the Advisory Committee and of the Grand Council of Patronage subject to their position in this matter being described as honorary in any literature issued in connection with the Fair, and on the understanding that they incur no liability as regards the conduct or finance of the Fair.

6.

The Fair is expected to open in December this

The Fair is year and to continue for about one month. primarily, of course, a commercial venture on the part of the promoters but inasmuch as it is intended to promote trade between the British Empire and China and to give opportunities for British Merchants to make contact with Chinese Merchants I consider that the project deserves all reasonable support.

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