TNAG-0386-FCO40-432-Exports-of-non-cotton-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-EEC-1973 — Page 157

TORE DEPLORABLE THAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN WITHOUT CONSULT- ATION WITH THE GERMAN IMPORT INTERESTS AFFECTED AND WHICH PUT

1 DOUBT THE LEGAL SECURITY OF TRADE WITH HONG KONG, IN ANY CASE, WE WOULD REQUEST YOU TO DO YOUR BEST URGENTLY TO

ENSURE ABOVE ALL THAT TRANSACTIONS ARE LICENSED IN CASES WHERE IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT SHIPMENT FROM HONG KONG BETWEEN 1 AND 28 FEBRUARY HAD BEEN AGREED BETWEEN PARTNERS TO A CONTRACT. THIS IS A DECISIVE MONTH FOR THE SUPPLY OF GOODS FOR THE MAJOR

GERMAN TRADING CONCERNS.

I WOULD ADD THAT MY ASSOCIATION HAS JUST BEGUN DISCUSSIONS (IT

IS NOT STATED WITH, WHOM, PRESUMABLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT) WITH THE PURPOSE OF DENYING AGREEMENT TO THE COMMISSION OF THE REC TO CONDUCT TEXTILE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HONG KONG, ON THE GROUNDS OF PRICE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC (THIS IS

A REFERENCE TO THE DESIRABILITY OF MAINTAINING COMPETITION IN THE INTERESTS OF PRICE STABILITY). ENDS.

2.

1 SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING LICENSING PROCEDURES 10 HONG KONG, ESPECIALLY ANY ASSURANCE THAT CAN BE GIVEN CONCERNING RESPECT FOR EXISTING CONTRACTS MID ANY ESTIMATE OF THE TIME THAT MAY CLAPSE BEFORE LICENSING IS RESUMED,

HENDERSON

[ADVANCE COPY SENT HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE]

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

?

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION

HKI OD

EID

TRD

-2-

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON ST.