CO129-572-7 Application for permission to construct gunboats at Hong Kong for import into China 2-2-1938 - 27-9-1938 — Page 25

NATIONAL

FOR

SCHEME

DISABLED

MEN

Sir,

Any further communication should be addressed to--

The Secretary of the Admiralty,

London, S. W.1.

quoting “M.F.5530/38.

L.P.-No.

0.15

25

Admiralty, S.W.1.

26th March, 1938.

In reply to your letter of the 2nd March, No.53885/38

I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to

acquaint you for the information of the Secretary of State for

the Colonies that the Hong Kong Government have no power to

withhold licences under the Naval Treaties Acts, 1922 and 1937,

for the construction or delivery of the gunboats ordered from

Messrs. W.S. Bailey & Company by the Canton Government, unless

the vessels contravene the restrictions as to size, armament,

etc. imposed by the London Naval Treaty 1936. As there is

virtually no possibility that the Treaty restrictions will be

exceeded, it will be necessary, if the proposal of the Foreign

Office not to allow the construction of these vessels is to be

followed, either to invoke the Foreign Enlistment Act or to

enact special ad hoc legislation in Hong Kong to prevent the

construction or delivery of the boats.

2.

Licences issued in the United Kingdom under the

Naval Treaties Acts contain provision that they shall have no

force or effect if any action under the m

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office,

constitutes a breach

of/

BH.

S.W.1.