180
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
ypher (0.T.P.)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
D. 22nd April, 1948. R. 22nd
繁重
54126/6:48
#
12.35 hrs.
TRMEDIATE
No.407 Secret
Your telegram No.467.
Draft statement.
(13/18)
Is 18 true that Matheson Report stressed fact that many claimants for war damage compensation had already re-cowed themeciroE. Nevertheless there existe a number of claimants for lose of personel posgeenlons who by no stretch of imagination could be termed omitted) prosperous And who would resent refusal of their claims on the ground that they were.
I propose therefore that paragraph 2 of abetement should be drafted to read as followe:-:
Begins.
In the light of apove declaration Dovestment of Hong Kong appointed a Commissioner to make an expert ex-uninatiou into the problem of wor damage compensation, As a result of his findings. Government is natio21ed that even were the UK. ia s position to pay part of cost, introduction of a compensation scheme would inflict an altogether crippling weight of taxation upon local community. Even as scrutinised and reduced by War Damage Commissioner local claime amount to upwards of 438,000,000 (sterling) exclusive of substantial claims for personal injuries, "lons of cash, bullion or securities. In the circumstances, and in vier of the fact that Colony did not participate in s war damage insurance scheme prior to outbreak of Pacific war and of the fact that rehabilitation of industry and commerce does not appear to be hampered to any material extent by lack of financial resourcea, Government of Hong Kong heg recommended that no compensation from public funds should be paid for war flamege. Enda,
3.
Above is of course without pre
to proposals in my telegram No.402. (25)** *Judice
Copies sent to:
Treasury
TI
"
Board of Trade Foreign Office
Mr. Crombie.
Mr. D.R. Serpell, 0.B.E.
Pitblado.
MR Mr. Markor.
MF:
Scarlett.