32
Enclosure in Canton despatch to Hong Kong No. 103 of 21st October, 1936.
From:
Special Delegate for Foreign Affairs
To:
H.M. Consul-General, Canton.
TRANSIATION.
20th October, 1936.
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the case in which the
Hong Kong Government ordered the removal within stipulated time
of the Kowloon City residents, and to inform you that represen-
tatives of the residents of Kowloon City have come before me
stating that the District Officer, South District, has again
ordered their removal, and requesting me to take up negotiations.
Accordingly I despatched Secretary Ling Shih-fun to Kowloon City
to investigate. Secretary Ling has now reported that in compliance,
with my orders he visited Kowloon City and called a meeting of the
residents to obtain their views. They all stated that the locality
being their ancestral home, they do not want to move elsewhere.
I have the honour to state that among the documents
(of this office) that I have taken over, is copy of a Memorandum
from the former British Minister to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, in which are the following words. "..... very benevolent
terms which are gladly accepted by the residents".
This appears
to be slightly different from facts. The former British Minister's
memorandum also states that "the Governor of Hong Kong has not
issued orders to the Kowloon City residents requiring their remo-
val". Now the District Officer South District, Hong Kong, has
again ordered the Kowloon residents to move out by the end of
the year.
The statement quoted is also thus contrary to facts.
Again, on the 19th December, 1935, the circular order for
removal issued by the District Officer, South District, New
Territories, contained these words: "..... this property being
leased to you annually by H.M. the King....." Studying the
meaning of these words, it appears they do not fully agree with
the provisions of the Lease Treaty.