CONFIDENTIAL-
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NO 586
104
TOP COPY
TO HONG KONG
!
3 SEPTEMBER
(HKK 6/331/1)
LAST
REF.
REF:
105
CONFIDENTIAL
FOR COWPERTHWAITE FROM JORDAN
CANADIAN TEXTILES.
FOLLOWING IS HONG KONG RECORD OF WHAT WAS SAID BY GOLDSMITH AT
MEETING WITH JONES AND SELLERS ON 2 SEPTEMBER
THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRADE HAD ASKED GOLDSMITH TO
CONVEY TO THE HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WHAT HE (THE SECRETARY)
FELT OUGHT TO BE DONE IN THE PRESENT SITUATION, GOLDSMITH CONVEYED
THIS IN THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
(1) THE BOARD OF TRADE IS VERY ANXIOUS INDEED NOT TO GIVE THE
UNITED STATES ANY LEVER FOR DEMANDING RESTRAINTS IN ANY FORM ON
IMPORTS OF NON-COTTON TEXTILES.
(2) THE BOARD DOES NOT WANT TO BREAK FRONT WITH JAPAN IN OPPOSING
THE STANS PROPOSALS.
(3) THE BOARD IS NOT AT ALL HAPPY AT BEING OBLIGED TO DECIDE ON
THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AT A TIME WHEN IT IS ENGAGED IN REVIEWING
THE WHOLE OUTLOOK FOR TRADE IN TEXTILES.
(4)
NEVERTHELESS IT APPRECIATES THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES FOR
HONG KONG.
(5) IT HAS DECIDED THAT IF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SO WISHES IT (THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT) MAY GO AHEAD WITH TALKS WITH THE CANADIANS
EARLIER THAN 22 SEPTEMBER IN OTTAWA.
(6) THE BOARD THINKS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE CRITERION OF SERIOUS
INJURY IN THIS CASE SHOULD BE OBSERVED.
(7) THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS REMINDED OF THE REFERENCE TO
QUOTE FULL CONSULTATION AND ASSOCIATION UNQUOTE IN THE STATEMENT:
THE BOARD WISHES TO BE REPRESENTED IN ANY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE
CANADIANS.
(8) ON THIS BASIS, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE
CANADIANS IN ASSOCIATION WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD.
CONFIDENTIAL
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