CO129-564-10 Aeroplane assembly depot- proposed establishment 7-9-1937 - 14-1-1938 — Page 29

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which would erise in the event of the issue of a long contra- band list by Jepan. wakadenreed tht it wold probably be

extremely difficult to ensure the import of essential articles for Hong Kong consumption without considerable impediment unless some elaborate mechinery were to be set up and theps has been a sugestion that I should be asked to be a member of a committee to be catablished for the purpose of eerti- fioetion and control. I gather that while some exploration is taking plece for the purpose of ascertaining the essential needs of the Colony, the nuration of possible articlontion

and control is at present in abeyance.

6.

while this aspect of the problem seemed, therefore, extremely gloomy, there appeared to be a much more simple

solution in the despeth to Canton of the aircraft as it

arrivedy unld in

honordingly I privately

and personally advised the British sựents, Kesars. žeise

Bradley & Company, that I thought it would be in the best interests of all concerned if a hint was dropped to the chinaro dovernment agent In Hong Kong that it might nerve him best to get the cases to Canton by railway on Chiness

section owned tricks. I was subsequently informed that the merest hint, without any official having been quoted, had aufficed, and by the 19th November, the first consignment of nine Gloster Gladiator machines had been removed to China. £

7.

I am now informed that the second consignment

of eleven machines has arrived in Hong Kong and that, while at the moment the railway has been out by Japanese boʊbing, they are expected to leave at an early date.

8.

Mr. Saurice Summers, the Test Pilot, left for

Canton t in morning eith three of his six mechanics to

explore the possibility of engaging in the erection of the