NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
W(B)L 51-7406
In fact, as the end of 1968 approached, the
Governor, who had to allocate the 1969 quota in
order to allow trade to proceed normally, was
obliged to telegraph his assumption that the
proposals in the exchange of telegrams and his
despatch would eventually be confirmed. This is
not a background against which it would be
possible, in equity and good faith, to "with-
draw" anything, when Hong Kong has voluntarily
restrained her trade with us, to her own detri-
ment, for a year already in accordance with the
agreement.
Background
A whole series of commercial issues between
HMG and the Hong Kong Government and Industry is
unfortunately combining to cause growing resent-
ment on the part of the Colony's industry
against the Board of Trade. The argument is not
that the Board of Trade can be blamed for these
issues, only that if the Colony is not
generously treated on this occasion yet another
contentious issue will be added to the sequence
and the Governor's political problems thereby
increased.
There has been,
(1) the sheeting agreement itself.
(2) Board of Trade intervention between Hong
Kong and trading partners with whom the
Colony wished to reach restraint agreements
in her own interest.
(3) most recently the decision to impose a
tariff on Commonwealth textiles, which
Hong Kong thinks was taken without proper
consultation.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.