33
they were really worried about were those which disclosed uncertainty about the future status of Hong Kong. They were not worried about other passages (which we had thought it rather undesirable to publish at present because of their possible effect on Chinese susceptibilitjes) which stress the importance of maintaining British prestige in the Far East, spreading British culture and influence in China etc. The Governor's present proposal to publish with certain deletions leaves most of these latter passages in. I should have thought it unwise to offer the Chinese gratuitously any additional ground (however small) for criticism of the existence of Hong Kong as a British possession, but I would not venture to press an apprehension not hared apparently either by the Foreign Office or by the Government of Hong Kong. As regards the references in the Report to uncertainty about Hong Kong's future the Governor s proposal would cut them all out except one in paragraph 26, viz - the sentence "that it (the University) could better survive political changes if it were an independent, self-governing entity". I would delete this also. From the above it will be seen that there is little likelihood that the Foreign Office would object to the Governor's proposal.
3. Apart from the unsuitability for publication of certain passages in it, another reason for not publishing the Report was that its major
recommendation had not been accepted (vide Mr. Seel's minute of 27/2). On the other hand, that recommendation has not been rejected. Its consideration has merely been deferred (vide para. 8 of my minute of 29/5). I do not think therefore that this reason alone should be considered a bar to publication. The Treasury may raise this point, but I think they should be resisted if they do.
4. Before referring the Governor's proposal to the Foreign Office and the Treasury I think it should be considered here. I pass through Mr. Cox. Mr. Radford has suggested that, should the Governor's proposal be approved, the most suitable method of obtaining the agreement of the signatories to the Report to the deletion of certain passages yould be an approach to them by Mr. Cox if he were to agree to make this. I should be grateful if Mr. Cox would record his view on this suggention.
I am
Guay
28.6.48.
this has been held a few days. I fully qual
with the procedent troposed. I suggest that a litter shld is drafted for ing sigrates which will make the position both as requis
hublic=1
the
refoort and as regards action upon its recommendations sufficiently clear to those members who has become aut - that this alld indicate that the initiative dos
of touch, I