CO129-571-16 New Territories 13-4-1938 - 12-12-1938 — Page 85

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Adm

B.T.

F.O.

A.M.

26

Note of a Meeting held in the Colonial Office

on the 26th August.

Present:

Mr. H.R. Cowell, C.M.G. (Chairman)

Sir J.F. Brenan, K.C.M.G.

}

Mr. D.J. Wardley, M.C.

Mr. E. G. Compton

Captain G. K. Bourne

Major G.W. M. Grover, R.N.

Mr. C.G.

Jarrett

}

Wing Commander R.M. Foster, D.F.C.

Mr. F. J. Howard, O.B.E.

Mr. P. Rogers

}

Colonial Office

Foreign Office

Treasury

War Office

Admiralty

Air Ministry

Colonial Office

Mr. Cowell opened the meeting by saying that

the question of negotiating with the Chinese Government

for the sale to the British Government of the New

Territories of Hong Kong had been raised some years ago

by Sir William Peel, but it had then been decided that the

time was not opportune for such an approach to be made.

They had now to consider whether the present offered a

more favourable opportunity. It was obvious that any

such negotiations would arouse very great opposition in

Japan, while there was the possibility that the present

conflict might end in the break-up of the present Chinese

Government and the establishment of a puppet Government

there under Japanese control, which would not recognise

any agreement entered into with the present Chinese

Government..

from:-

The New Territories were important to Hong Kong

1.

(a)