172
speaking as a diplomat and not a merchant.
In the instructions Wade had sent to Robertson, he had strongly urged the establishment of a branch of the Chinese Imperial Customs in Hongkong.
The Governor of Hongkong, Sir Arthur Kennedy, endorsed this proposal as a possible solution to the problem. In a despatch to London he stated that he was “convinced that the shortest, best and only remedy for disputes and differences which have existed for years, endangering our good relations with the Canton Government is the recognised establishment of a branch of the Chinese foreign inspectorate in Hongkong itself."
It was not until 1886 that provisions were made for establishing a Maritime Customs collecting station at Kowloon and the Hong-kong Government allowed its Commissioner, a British national, to reside in Hongkong.
WAR OF WORDS OVER CHINESE CONSUL CONTINUES
The manner in which the appointment of a Chinese consul for Hongkong was announced in 1891 provoked a demand from the expatriate merchants that they be allowed a greater voice in determining policies that affected Hongkong.
They resented that they had not had an opportunity to express their opinion before the decision regarding the appointment had been made.
The Colonial Office had informed the local government of its intended decision and had received in reply the opinion of concerned government officials in Hongkong, but the mercantile community had not been consulted.
In November 1890, the Governor was asked if he had any objections to the proposal. This was followed by a telegram in January 1891 informing him that the Chinese had proposed that Mr. Tso Ping-lung, consul at Singapore, be transferred to the new office in Hongkong.
172
speaking as a diplomat and not a merchant.
In the instructions Wade had sent to Robertson, he had strong- ly urged the establishment of a branch of the Chinese Imperial Customs in Hongkong.
The Governor of Hongkong, Sir Arthur Kennedy, endorsed this proposal as a possible solution to the problem. In a despatch to London he stated that he was “convinced that the shortest, best and only remedy for disputes and differences which have existed for years, endangering our good relations with the Canton Government is the recognised establishment of a branch of the Chinese foreign inspectorate in Hongkong itself."
It was not until 1886 that provisions were made for establishing a Maritime Customs collecting station at Kowloon and the Hong- kong Government allowed its Commissioner, a British national, to reside in Hongkong.
WAR OF WORDS OVER CHINESE CONSUL CONTINUES
The manner in which the appointment of a Chinese consul for Hongkong was announced in 1891 provoked a demand from the expatriate merchants that they be allowed a greater voice in deter- mining policies that affected Hongkong.
They resented that they had not had an opportunity to express their opinion before the decision regarding the appointment had been made.
The Colonial Office had informed the local government of its intended decision and had received in reply the opinion of con- cerned government officials in Hongkong, but the mercantile community had not been consulted.
In November 1890, the Governor was asked if he had any ob- jections to the proposal. This was followed by a telegram in Janu- ary 1891 informing him that the Chinese had proposed that Mr. Tso Ping-lung, consul at Singapore, he transferred to the new office in Hongkong.
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