55240/2/45.
Coloniul office,
Downing Street,
1.
December, 1945.
f
My dear trickland,
I have been asked to send you a copy of a draft Intoria and Directive which I prepared com time ago for Maluya, after consultation with legal officers in thó alayan lanning Unit and the Colɔnial office. This Dir clive is intended to provide an interim policy nd machinery for adjusting complications rising out of the Japanese occup: tion of Malaya. It is not intended to affect the permanent land laws of the territory. To the extent that precedents are ascertainable, the draft is based on principles of International law. In mattors not covered by procedent, a policy is advocated which is thought to be fair ami practical, I enclose a copy of the Directive.
2.
The Present posit. on is that the Directive (except Part IV - Dortgages and charges) has Leen upproved for alaya, subject to comment from officers on the ground, at a meeting at which the Colonial office ad Treasury were represented. The war office had already approved the Directive except for certain reserved questions, and it is expected that, as this is a matter which primarily affects the Colonial vffice, the War Uffice will shortly follow the Colonial Office loading nignify approval of the Directive excepting Part IV.
3.
pproval of cart IV, which deals with mortgages and charges, has beon reserved pending settlement of
G.E.STRICALIT
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