OUTWARD TELEGRAM
54126/6/48
Cypher (0.TP)
TO HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)
185-
13/18
FROM S. OF S. COLONIES.
Sept 19ta April, 1948.
17.00 hes
IMMEDIATE
Segret No. 467
Aned (26)
Addressed to Governor, Hong Kong. Repeated
#
• Secretary-General, Singapore, 70, 306. High Cocaissioner Peñoration of
Kalaya.
Governor, Singapore,
No. 498.
Mo. New-
NO. 164.
No. 123.
(Secretary-General please pass).
Governor, Worth Soxneu,
特
Sarawak,
My Gelsgrua regarding financial settlement.
betreer His Majesty's Government and Hong Kong. 1 suggest brak statement should be as followe but in view of neces33 ty for publication before April 27th, I should be glad of your carly comments especially as to presentation. Begins,
1.
15
In Ocleber 1942 a declaration was made on behalf ( 26 Najesty's Goreroment to the effect that it would be the general aim of his Majesty's Government after the war that, with a view to the well-being of the people and the resumption of productive activity, property and goods destroyed or damaged in the Colonial Empire should be replaced or repaired to such actent and over such a period of time as reacuroce might pernNL 6, It was added that, 12 the resources of any part of the Colonial Umpire were insufficient to enable this purpoas to be achieved chout aid, His Majesty's Gezerrmen. would be ready ro give what assistance they could în ecajumetion with sich common fund or organization as might be established for post-war reconstruction.
Ià the light of the above declaration the Government of Hong Long have considered vistoer a war damage compenestion scheme should be imroduced. As a result however of an expert examination of the problem by a Commissioner whom they appointed, regard being had especially to the great
commercial prosperity which the Colony has enjoyed since its liberation, they Xave come to the conclusion that there does No 26 not appear to be any general need for a compensation scheme in Hong Kong. Consequent upon the Gelony's prosperity much of the loss arising fut of war damage and losses has already been recovered, and it does not appear that rehabilitation of industry and comerse is being held up by ay lack of financial resources. Accordingly the Government of Hong Kong, after full and wereful consideration of all aspecta of the problem, have recorssented that go compensation should be. paid for per danken,