4:
of the Navy, as that on the island is not sufficient for its
purposes.
(d) Air. Government have prepared an aerodrome base at Kai
Tak at Kowloon, as there did not appear to be any suitable site
on the island. This will be used both by Imperial and civil
air-craft.
It is my considered opinion that the additional
territory ceded by the Treaty of 1860 is absolutely essential
to Hong Kong, both on economic and strategic grounds.
In fact,
I would go so far as to say that, if it were returned to China,
we might as well surrender Hong Kong itself . I further hold
that a certain part of the leased territory is necessary,
mainly in order to conserve the water supply of the Colony.
As regards the remainder of the leased territory, I think
that there can be little doubt that for strategic reasons, it
should be retained in order to maintain a natural barrier with
China.
I would stress the point that during the past few years
considerable money has been invested in land and property in
Kowloon and the New Territories by Chinese, who doubtless took
this course because, so long as it is under British control,
greater safety and stability are secured than obtain in China
proper. I consider that, if we let it go back to China, we
should be deemed by these prople to have failed in our trust
in regard to them.
I attach a few aerial photographs which show in some
measure the development at Kowloon.
На
Govern
10° Nov. 1930