Repeatest to HK, as tal. N: 1733
Cypher/OTP.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION.
FROM TAMSUI TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
His Majesty's Consul
No.209.
D.
29th November,1949.
R.
7.40 a.m. 30th November,1949. 7.55 a.m. 30th November, 1949.
Repeated to Hong Kong.
PRIORITY.
CONFIDENTIAL.
53
77
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No.209 of 29th
to Hong Kong.
November, repeated for informat
(48)
Hong Kong telegram No264 to Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Hong Kong Immigration Control.
I fully appreciate the Governor's desire to restrict immigration into Hong Kong and am anxious tq asist to the best of my ability. The system however is not in my opinion satisfactory for reasons given below.
2. Due to the vast number of applications being received (90 on Monday and 200 today) we cannot possibly check the bona fides of all applicants or whether they have accommodation arranged in Hong Kong. In effect therefore we are compelled to issue a visa to anyone possessing a valid Chinese passport or travel document, the only limiting factor being the physical endurance of my staff. Lastly I consider it unfair to my staff. On the other hand the refusal to accept applications on grounds of shotage of staff will undoubtedly cause great dissatisfaction amongst the public who will naturally expect us to establish an adequate organisation to implement our own regulations, and may well lead to violent demonstrations.
3. The exercise of control at this end necessitates an increase not a restriction of staff. An Immigration Officer familiar with Hong Kong and the requirements of the Immigration Authorities would have time to scrutinize applications and refer or reject them when necessary and would be qualified to check bona fides and accommodation requirements. In this way the number of entrants could be restricted without causing hardship and undue dissatisfaction.
Foreign Office please pass to Hong Kong as my Priority telegram No.91.
[Copies sent to Colonial Office for reptition to Hong Kong).
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