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F

F 3959 22

26 PR 1939

F

1939

Registry} 3959/1727/10

FROM Chancery, Shanghai to Far

Eastern Department.

2/92 D/1939.

CHINA

Powers of Consul-General at Canton with reference to British Concession, Shameen.

Refer to Canton despatch No.27 (F 1730/1727/10) on receipt of which Embassy consulted authorities at Shanghai and Consul-General at Tientsin as to possible issue of King's Regulations to give Consul-General at Canton wider powers in an emergency. Enclose copy of despatch from Crown Advocate No.1/20/39 of 31st March, in which he submits draft of King's Regulations based on Tientsin Municipal (Amendment) Regulations 1929. th Apr: 1939 Have not yet heard from Tientsin but are sending copy

of Crown Advocate's letter and asking for Consul- General's observations.

Dated 3rd Apr: 1939

Received 26 th

in Registry

F: China

Last Paper.

(F2874

References.

(Minutes.)

(Print.)

(How disposed of.)

Tel. Shanghen

No.344 May!

Mr. Blunt made it clear in his despatch

No. 27 (F 1730) that he was asking for legal powers

to introduce temporary emergency measures in order

"to enforce his wishes on the Council" (see

paragraph 14). Apparently he does not see eye to

eye with the Council in the matter, and he regards

them as a poor lot (paragraph 8). Moreover, "they "object to taking responsibility and meeting "criticism for measures with which they do not agree" (paragraph 15).

In response to this the Embassy propose, by the enclosed draft regulations, to give the powers to the Council and not to the Consul-General;

the

latter however to have the right of veto.

The draft regulations are the same as those issued for the Tientsin concession, where so far as we know they have been applied satisfactorily.

(Action completed.)

13/5/29

(Index.)

Next Paper.

Paper 1,99)

F7764

16757 3/38 F.O.P.

I/

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