transfer rather than secondment terms (I am writing
to you separately about this), and H. K. agreed to this
course on the understanding that the post would, in
fact, revert to the Colonial Service on the termination
of Heathcote-Smith's appointment.
Should it appear necessary in the light of experience
to re-open this question before a further appointment
is made, we sould, of course, still do so, although
we see no real reason why this should be necessary
provided that satisfactory arrangements can be made to
give H.K. Cadets the further training and experience
that they would require to fit them in every way for
the job. A recent letter from H.K. contained in this
connection, the following suggestion: "We have
several probable promising men eager to train for
the job (i.e. that of Political Adviser) and I am
glad to see from Sir Ralph Stevenson's tel. no.104
to the F.0. that he agrees to the proposal that
Colonial Service Officers should be attached to the
Embassy as part of their training. Now that the F.0.
appear likely to agree in principle to this recommendation
I assume that you would have no objection to direct
discussion between us and the Nanking Embassy with a
view to sending an officer to Nanking as soon as he
can be spared. The officer will probably be of 10
or 12 years seniority and we suggest that he might be
usefully attached the Chinese Counsellor. We should
pay his ordinary H.K. salary and hope that Nanking
will provide free quarters and the local cost of
living allowances."
'
I hope you will agree to our informing McDougalL
in reply that we shall be very glad if he will enter
into direct negotiations with the Embassy in Nanking
in regard to arrangements for the attachment of a
suitable H,K. Cadet to Nanking as soon as one can be spared. I should be glad to know also whether you
agree that the cadet might usefully be attached to
/the