CO129-629-2 Arrangements for the reception of the Hong Kong delegation to the British Industries Fair 1-4-1950 - 31-7-1950 — Page 11

I have

have spoken to

has Ward

"

syri

She will send

about the sofsi stech.

an extra copy to be next to the

Far Post Grade Engeneering

Это во волне

P. Potheneets

26/

7. Far East Trade & Enginaring

24:10:57

8. H.K. Gost office w/comps. w/ 2 enclosures. -27:10:57

Po M' Hall.

We spoke. I attach a preliminery oft speech for

enclose the relevant tels.

Conson.

↓ Andersm.

28/4.

9 Dft spuch (fr duschen) 2.5 5.

Speech

I attach opposite a draft speech for the luncheon which the Secretary of State is attending on 2nd May. It has been cleared with Mr. W.A. Morris of the Supplies Department and I am awaiting Foreign Office clearance of paragraph 4 which refers to our intention to remain in Hong Kong.

Mr. Grimwood of the Hong Kong Government Office informed me the other evening that the Hong Kong Delegation were interested in two major points :

(a) assistance in obtaining raw materials and consumer

goods for Hong Kong in view of the difficult situation created by the American embargo;

(b)

reassurance that we intend to stay in Hong Kong.

The latest information about the American embargo is given in paragraph 4 of Hong Kong telegram 489 (copy opposite) which shows that although there have been some further shipments of consumer goods from the U.S.A. no shipments of industrial materials have arrived and the supply position continues to cause grave concern. Unemployment is increasing and the knitting industry is the latest to be hit. It is difficult to be optimistic about obtaining any major relaxation of the American embargo during the present disturbed conditions in the Far East and American efforts to persuade the United Nations to blockade China.

Earlier in the year I think, an M.P. made a statement

/that