CO129-585-9 Sino-Japanese conflict- Chinese custom stations 14-7-1940 - 17-12-1940 — Page 19

S:FF

Copy.

C.S.0. 113/1680/31.

CONFIDENTIAL.

My dear Pritchard,

3rd September,1940.

I am sorry for the delay in replying to your letter of 12th August but the questions which it raises are of some complexity.

I do not recollect the question of a Japanese Assistant in your office having been raised previously excep as a hypothetical case in the course of conversation, but as you know it has always been understood here that the Senior Staff and the office non-Chinese Staff in this Colony should be chosen from the British members of the Customs Service, This does not seem to be in writing anywhere, though as you are aware the British nationality of the Senior Staff formed an integral part of the draft Customs Agreement which has not yet been signed. I am afraid therefore that this Government cannot accept the proposal made without very full consideration here and in London. Such consideration is being given and I shall let you know of the result as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

E.A.Pritchard, Esq.,

Commissioner,

Chinese Maritime Customs Office,

HONG KONG.

(sd) N.L.Smith.