Yout
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
margin
Registry No.
Enfidential
DRAFT s/o letter
To:-
Top Secret. Secret. Confidential. Restricted. Unclassified.
Sir A. Snelling, K.C.M.G.,
c/o British High
Commission,
Singapore.
Type 1 +
From
6.
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
During recent visits by Arthur Galsworthy to
Hong Kong the Governor has discussed with him ways and
means of repairing the Colony's relations with Britain.
Sadly
The Governor felt that these had deteriorated with the
various shocks to local public sentiment that British
actions over the last few years had administered. In a
letter following up these discussions the Governor wrote:
"What is wanted is anything that will help to give
Hong Kong the impression that Britain regards her
2.
as being, although a dependency, a valued friend
and ally with some dignity of her own. The
impression at present which is I fear gaining
ground is that she is regarded at home not as the
loyal supporter she on the whole is, but as a
tiresome nuisance, to be slighted and made use of
since she cannot be quietly made away with. A fair
measure of basic confidence and trust in Britain
is still there, but it will not last for ever if
this impression is allowed to grow."
The actions which in local opinion have indicated
a lack of British interest or concern for the Colony
stretch back many years. The failure of H.M.G., after the
immediate post-war years, to provide any aid to the
Colony in meeting the many pressing problems arising
from the vast influx of refugees has been frequently
in Hong Kong comment
the subject of public comment, often reflecting pride
rather than disappointment. When, however, this fact has
been set alongside the several hard bargains driven by
/the
10
This vi a matter, which the
Governor
many
revent Do in
writermal discussions
2:12
The 5.0 5.
97499 St.S.