R. 318.
For information propagande file ME
2.00.7.
In a
Tapice.
Пишу
thanks
jm
11/1
Records Mr Mahfilligin.
The gist of this letter was brought to the attention of
the Common it a meeting
W
Sir John Jéhistone's office 22nd Sept. The mailing had been convened to review
on
the genel informations
effort both inside Hong Kang
dohas.
The Gark of Hong
ting take the Financial
Times & will undoubtedly
hare
ins
was.
FIN. TIMES
37
22 SEP 1967
29
Hong Kong
Sir, I am writing to you at the conclusion of two weeks spent in Hong Kong in the course of a protracted globe-trotting holiday. In the course of this holiday I have visited West and South African ports, toured extensively in Malaya, stayed three times in Singapore and visited Sarawak and a number of places in the Philip-
pineincluding Manila. I have previously lived in East Africa for a number of years and have recently spent some time in Holland and France.
I have never, in all my travels, visited such a go-ahead, happy, efficient, busy and, above all,
and beautiful city
country as
Hong Kong. Before I came here, after reading the British Press and listening to radio reports, I was under the impression that this was almost a beleagured city. Not a bit of it. This the cleanest, busiest city I have ever seen. In two weeks I have travelled exten- sively in the colony, right up to the border with Communist China. I have travelled on foot and by car throughout the cities of Hong Kong and Kowloon and I have been greeted everywhere with courtesy such as I would never ex- pect in London. I have travelled on ferries to the outlying islands and have returned with hundreds of laughing and happy day-trippers on the evening ferries.. I bave seen the factories working to capacity and have heard the reports of last record export figures for month. But in all my two weeks I have seen,less evidence of unrest and violence than I should expect to see in any two weeks in Salford or Manchester where I used to live.
are
that there am aware troubles here-but in two weeks of searching I have not been able to meet up with any of the bombs" or "demonstrations." I have visited Macau twice and have seen that it is a dead city, completely under the influence of the Communists, where all build- ing sites are deserted, hotels and shops are closed and trade is at a standstill owing to the lack of tourists who normally go there from Hong Kong. Even the bull- ring has had to be closed through lack of support!
I write to you, Sir, as my im- pression from reports in the British and other Press was that Hong Kong was nearly in queer street. I find it is not-it is a great-a wonderful-place full, of wonder- ful people who, I believe, are less worried about the pres troubles than are those people in I Britain who hear about them. feel that a Press campaign to correct this entirely false im- pression would be only just and fair to a great and kind people.
Incidentally, although I can buy THE FINANCIAL TIMES in the better bookshops in Singapore, here I have to date found only
hotel, "The
Mandarin,' which has the paper-one copy daily! Not much help!
one
Clo Westminster Bank,
PETER N. Banks,
2, The Rock,
Bury, Lancs.
In the castern stances ofon may agore that no
helektory.
MG 28.9.67.
17
M. Gazian
The 5/5 thinks
lter
that this letter
Sho 62 brought-
to the attention
of the Governor Hong Kong, if he has not already
Sean it.
Smachitition 229
14v Reed.
Pl. speak.
25.9.67.
دلا
RECEIVED IN
-201
frother action is