Oral Answers to Questions — China. – in the House of Commons at on 24 May 1937.
Mr Adrian Moreing
, Preston
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies he has received from the Japanese Government to his repeated representations on the subject of smuggling in North China?
Viscount Cranborne
, Dorset Southern
In reply to the representations made to them by His Majesty's Government, the Japanese Government have consistently disclaimed any responsibility and have contended that Japan cannot prevent a practice which is principally due to unreasonably high Chinese tariffs and to defects of Chinese administration. His Majesty's Government have made it plain that they are unable to share the view which the Japanese Government take in this matter, though it may be that certain items in the Chinese tariff are unduly high. The matter will naturally be kept under close review.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
