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2.
granting a visa for Hongkong might tend to cause serious delay and inconvenience to the applicant.
5.
I am, however, aware that, in granting this authority, regarding the issue of visas to Chinese, to His Majesty's Consuls in China I have added to their powers regarding the issue of visas in War Time as shown in the enclosure to Passport Control Department Circular V.R.2 of 24th May 1940 and I have the honour to request your formal sanction to this departure from current visa control restrictions.
6.
Regarded from a viewpoint of "visa control" the new regulations regarding the control of entry of persons into Hongkong appear to be less desirable than the previous system whereby all aliens, other than Chinese, proceeding to Hongkong had to be in possession of visas issued by the competent British authorities at their place of departure. It appears to me that if it were desired effectively to control the movements of Chinese entering the Colony recourse might have been made to the British visa control system already existing in China and elsewhere and Chinese desirous of travelling to Hongkong would have had to apply for their visas to the authorised visa issuing officers. They would then have been subject to the same investigation of their bona fides as are other alien applicants for visas and the risk of undesirable persons entering the Colony would have been minimised. As a large number of Chinese are not in possession of, and are unable to obtain in a reasonable time, valid Chinese national passports, it would be necessary for the visa control officers to issue the visa in their case on. some form of travel document which established their identity. This would have greatly increased the work of His Majesty's Consuls in China and the Passport Control Officer at Shanghai but would, in my opinion, have maintained the efficiency of the visa control system.
7.
Another somewhat unfortunate feature of the operation of the new Immigration Ordinance was the appointment by the Immigration Officer, Hongkong, of Chinese agents in China to deal with applicants for permits to enter Hongkong. I advised the Hongkong Government that in view of prevailing political conditions in China the presence of Chinese acting as accredited representatives of the Immigration Officer at Hongkong may cause embarrassment to His Majesty's Consular Officers in China in their relations with the local de facto authorities. I am, however informed that these appointments are of a temporary nature and will be terminated as soon as possible.
8.
At present the operation of the new regulations for control of entry into Hongkong are in the transition. stage and the time has not yet arrived to give a considered opinion,on their efficiency from the point of view of Passport and Visa Control and effect on Chinese opinion, but the situation is being carefully watched and any important developments in the matter will be fully reported to you.
I have the honour to be
with the highest respect, Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant,
(In the absence of H.M. Ambassador)
Pln. Bradinead
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