SECRET
HONG KONG
81
1.3
54132
First Draft
1.
CIVIL AFFAIRS POLICY DIRECTIVES
POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Postal Services
4/5/44
(a) During the period of military administration the Postal
Authority should be chiefly concerned to restore the non-transit mail
services, inward and outward, but early steps should be taken to
prepare for the re-institution of the transit mail traffic in
accordance with the Postal Convention.
(b) Rates. Unless otherwise instructed the rates of postage
should approximate as closely as possible to the rates in force in
1941.
2.
Telecommunications Services
When full civil administration is restored it will be the
policy of the civil government that external telecommunications
service should be operated in accordance with an Empire systen
approved by H.M.G. During the period of military administration
it will be important to restore as soon as possible telegraphic
communication with neighbouring countries especially China, Indo-
China, Philippines, Borneo and Singapore.
3.
The Government should retain the responsibility for direct
operation of the following services:-
4.
(a) Ship to shore; aeronautical; meteorological; and
(b)
(0)
hydrographic services;
Transmission; reception and distribution of
broadcast news services;
Radio blegtosy";
Television.
The Telecommunications authority should be prepared to
undertake such technical services for broadcasting as may be required.