SECRET.
43
Enclosure No. 2.
MEMORANDUM
on the subject of
the term for which land in the
New Territories
should be leased.
The
1.
This subject was discussed at a meeting at
Government House on the 5th February, presided over by
His Excellency the Governor (Sir Cecil Clementi).
others present were the Honourable Mr. W.T. Southorn
(Colonial Secretary), the Honourable Sir Joseph Kemp
(Attorney General), Mr. P. Jacks (Land Officer, and
Lieutenant Colonel F. Eaves (Assistant Land Officer).
It was emphasized that it was most desirable,
if at all possible, to avoid any policy which would
2.
hinder or discourage the development of the northern shore
of the harbour of Hong Kong. Much of this shore lies
within the leased (New) Territories, and the room for
development in the portion of Kowloon ceded in 1860
now very limited.
3.
is
It was pointed out that any policy of granting
leases expiring within the period laid down in the
Convention, but renewable beyond that period at the lessee's
option, would be open to all the dangers contemplated at
It was
the conference held in the Foreign Office on the 7th
November, 1928, just as much as the policy of granting
leases expressly extending beyond that period.
recognised as a possibility that there would be less danger
of arousing propaganda if the former policy were adopted,
but that would be so only if the device were successful in
preventing