(CAA 2)
ERSONAL.
141
CIVIL AFFAIRS HEADQUARTERS,
LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
HONGKONG.
7
21st November, 1945.
G.E.J. Gent, Esq., C.M.G., D.S.0., 0.B.E., M.C.,
Colonial Office,
Downing Street,
LONDON, S.W.1.
My dear Gent,
Your letter of October 26th arrived today, with the quotation from an Owen-Hughes letter to Drew. Owen-Hughes is not notable for his discretion. The offending term was not in use to my knowledge. When we arrived and saw what some of the Stanley people had attempted to do, we were rather proud of being Hong Kong folk.
2.
You will have gathered that the changeover was not easy for anyone concerned. It was, I thought, accomplished with goodwill and understanding on both sides.
3.
Let me say that three days after arrival, I called my people together and stressed the necessity for extreme restraint in dealing with the internees. We could not but have the colour of interlopers and that was one more complication. It made things extra hard for my chaps I am afraid.
Yours sincerely,
Must.l.