8.
saying that, if Kowloon were not retained, we might as well
surrender Hong Kong itself. I do not like to go quite so
far as this as regards the whole of the New Territory, but
I would at all events apply the same remark to the greater
part of it. The question of water supply and military
defence are so important that the question of retaining the
whole of this territory on a permanent basis should be
explored when a suitable opportunity occurs. This may not
happen until China becomes more stabilised than it is today.
I would stress the point that during the past few
years considerable money has been invested in land and
property, both in Kowloon and the New Territory, by Chinese
who undoubtedly have taken this course because, so long as
these areas are under British control, greater safety and
stability are secured than obtain in China proper. I
consider that, if we let either or both of these territories
revert to China, we should be deemed by these people to have
failed in our trust in regard to them.
15.
In 1927 the following undertaking was given by His
Majesty's Government:
"His Majesty's Goverment will give the fullest
protection to Hong Kong and its mainland territories during
the civil war now unhappily raging in China, and they have
no intention whatever of surrendering Hong Kong, or of
abandoning or diminishing in any way its rights or authority
in any part of the adjacent mainland territories under
British administration, to the maintenance of which His
Majesty's Government attach the highest importance."
I can only add that I entirely agree with that
policy, and believe that it is not only the correct, but the
only one to follow.
16. I attach a return
-
D showing the population of
the various areas in the years 1921 and 1931.
21.631