W{B}L 51-7433
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Áffriar
Affairs on 18 May, the Chinese in effect
confirmed that this was the case (Peking
telegrams 452 and 453).
6. The Governor of Hong Kong has in the past
argued that a further round of special visits
in Hong Kong would be regrettable in general
and particularly so at an early date. Such
visits would tend to consolidate the special
position of N.C.N.A. representative in Hong
Kong and give the Chinese a propaganda
advantage.
This might encourage the Chinese
to make further use of Mr. Grey as a bargaining
counter; and there might be an adverse effect
on public opinion in the Colony. The Governor
has also pointed out the danger that the
Chinese might raise the price of further visits
to Grey (Hong Kong telegram 536).
7.
Following conversations in London with the
Governor on 3 May we agreed to explore all
other possibilities of ameliorating Mr. Grey's
position before reverting to the proposal for a further round of visits (Foreign Office Tel:
No. 459), Specifically we authorised Sir D.
Hopson to press the Chinese to permit visits to
Mr. Grey by non-diplomatic personnel (e.g.
wives of members of the British Mission and
press colleagues); and to press for a general
improvement in Mr. Grey's conditions, for
/instance
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