TELEPHONES :
29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE
OFFICES:
29
6E, CLOUCESTER ARCADE
P.R.O..
21738
ASSISTANT PR.O.
31636
·
GENERAL
CE.
23406
Orig. on 96009/15/47
To:
Date: 17th July, 1947.
Ref: PRO/1032/3.
WEEKLY 'SUMMARY OF HONG KONG PRESS REPORTS AND COMMENTS.
July 6-12, 1947.
1.
CHINA.
The week under review began with the tenth anniversary of the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War. This occasion was marked by a speech by Chiang Kai-shek, who called for an all-out effort to suppress the Communists. The general mobilization order had been proclaimed and it was evident that the Kuomintang leaders had abandoned any idea of compro- mise with the Communists. The Wah Kiu Yat Po, however, continued to appeal for peace, and went so far as to suggest that the people should compel China's leaders to come to terms. The same newspaper expressed disapproval of American aid, which it considered would involve China in the American-Russian conflict.
It
The proposal that the Chinese Government should requisition Chinese private property, particularly bank deposits, in foreign countries was again canvassed by the Wah Kiu Yat Po and the Sing Tao Jih Pao. was suggested that foreign governments could be persuaded to co-operate in enforcing the requisitioning of Chinese property in their respective countries. The Sing Tao Jih Pao estimated that 8 billion U.S. dollars would be obtained by a levy on Chinese private deposits in American banks.
2. HONG KONG.
The Sing Pao of July 8 carried a report that Hong Kong's proposed Municipal Council had been approved in London and that preparation for its institution would begin as soon as the new Governor, Sir Alexander Grantham, arrived.
Comment on the housing situation in Hong Kong was evoked by the recent debate in Legislative Council, The Kung Sheung Daily Press suggest- ed (without going into geographical details) an expansion of the city area into the rural areas. The Wah Kiu Yat Po advocated the encouragement of building by Government sponsored loans. The Sing Tao Jih Pao called for a reduction in the price of Crown Land (without suggesting a means by
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