C
·CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir.
2.1
KEC
ArGe 13 JUN 17
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 24th. April, 1917.
114
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your Circular Despatch of the 16th. January regarding the question of the closer supervision of persons of alien race who may desire to cerry on Missionary or educational work in British Possessions.
2.
I have referred the matter to my Executive Council who fully concur that the policy adopted by the Government of India should be extended generally throughout the Empire, os for as possible on uniform lines.
3.
Legislation will ultimately be necessary to give effect to the proposals made, but the matter is not immediately urgent, as, during the continuance of the war, this Government has,
in the Registration of Persons Ordinace, 1916, and in its powers of detention and deportation of undesirables, the necessary means of supervision and control. I may therefore take the opportunity in
the first instance to outline for your consideration the form of
legislation which seems suited to the circumstances of Hongkong.
In regard to Chinese subjects I would suggest
that, while they should not be excluded from the purview of the
Ordinace, discretionary power to permit Missionary and educational
workers might be vested in the Governor. Otherwise owing to the
4.
A RIGHT HONOURABLE
WALTER LONG, M.P.,
&c..
&c.
&c.
larg