CO129-558-11 Mission of Sir F. Leith-Ross to China- proposals for a Hong Kong - China customs... 29-9-1936 - 30-12-1936 — Page 44

Economi 15314/2/36

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NXX SECRET.

AIR MAIL.

4c

Sir,

@

44

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

21st October, 1936.

In continuation of my secret telegram No.185

of the 12th October, 1936, I have the honour to enclose for

your information a copy of the regulations governing "Native Produce shipped from open port to open port via a foreign

port or ports" which has since been furnished by the

Commissioner of Chinese Maritime Customs for Kowloon and

District.

2.

The Commissioner in his covering letter states

that his office has no statistics showing how much this privilege has been availed of by shippers, neither has the Statistics Office of this Goverment any record of cargo in

transit.

3.

It seems clear however that this concession is

of considerable value to the Colony since it enables vessels engaged in the coastal trade, of which there is a great number, to call at Hong Kong en route between ports in

China without rendering their through cargo liable to duty. I am informed on good authority that, but for this privilege, it would be necessary for most of these vessels to avoid Hong Kong altogether.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

A Caldacoo

Governor, &c.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

W.G.A. ORMSBY-GORE, P.C., M.P.

&C.,

&C.,

&C.