5
R. 83 to transfer) to 54086/41 on return.
Department at Hong Kong. We were already aware from information received from the Governor in his telegram No. 314 Confidential (see No. 1 in 54086/41 below) that all was very far from well in the working of the Department. You will see that the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the working of the Department is coming home for the Secretary of State's consideration, and we will let you see it when it arrives.
(Sgl.) W. B.L. MONSON, 16.5.41.
Mr. Monson.
Thank you.
I return the Auditor's
letter, so that it will be available in your file when the Commission's Report is being considered in the Colonial Office.
(Sgd.) A.J. HARDING,
D. C. A.
17. 5. 41.
Transfer minutes and No. 1 to 54086/41
Done.
(Intld.) A.W.,
3.6.41.
and wait report up to ten weeks.
(Sgd.) W. B.L. MONSON,
20.5.41. at once.
6.
Hong Kong
desp. No. 72
31.3.41.
Put by.
7.
Hong Kong
tel. No. 496
(Sgd.) W.B.L. MONSON,
4.6.41. at once.
6.6.41.
We discussed.
For the question of publication, I invite reference to A. in my minute of 25th April above.
The Governor is being pressed locally to publish the report. There has been a good deal of discontent in "unofficial" circles in Hong Kong with the administration of the Colony and the Immigration Department's bad start provided a focus for much of that discontent. For local political reasons the Governor is prepared to agree to publication.
One must also consider the question from the point of view of defence (it may reveal
"sub-rosa"