TNAG-0390-FCO40-436-Conference-of-the-Textile-Institute-in-Hong-Kong--20-24-Nove-1973 — Page 12

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Mr Crowson

CONFERENCE OF THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE, HONG KONG, 20-24 NOVEMBER 1973

1.

I mentioned to you today that there is some disappointment at the CBI about the level of representation of the Hong Kong Government at this important Conference. I have the feeling that the General Secretary of the Textile Institute probably failed to give a proper picture of the Institute and its works when writing to the Hong Kong Government about it.

2.

The Textile Institute is incorporated by Royal Charter, is based on Manchester, and has a world-wide membership. It is the world-acknowledged centre for textile technology and its journal has the largest circulation of any textile technology monthly in the world.

3. This is the first time that the Institute has held its Conference in Hong Kong and, as it happens, the President this year is Mr Henniker-Heaton, a member of the Council of the Confederation of British Industry and a member (representing British employers) of the Economic and Social Committee of the European Economic Community. He is also Chairman of the Cotton and Allied Trades Joint Committee and consultant to the British Textile Employers Association.

4. The Governor was invited to open the Conference and to attend the Dinner at the end of it but, no doubt because he was not given any real background, these invitations were declined and it was suggested that it would be appropriate to invite instead Mr Jordan, the Director of Commerce and Industry.

5. I hope that there will be an opportunity to mention this matter to the Governor during his visit next week. A demonstration

I of the Governor's personal interest in this Conference would, know, be very well received at the CBI and, apart from being a recognition of this important British institution, would reflect the dominant position that the textile industry continues to hold in Hong Kong's economy.

7 September 1973

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