Mr. Paskin.
With reference to Mr. Creech Jones' minute of 3.2 above on this file which I think missed you while you were away. I submit this now for instructions as to what further action should be taken. My own feeling is, as I think you know, that the Governor has got so much on his plate' at the moment that we should do everything possible to avoid adding to it unless it is vitally necessary to do so.
Sir C. Jeffries
1. 3. 50.
I have hitherto refrained from resubmitting these papers since the new Secretary of State took Office for the reason that Ministers have been very much occupied with other more pressing matters.
They will however I think be interested to see this collection of papers and minutes on Social Policy in Hong Hong and may perhaps wish to discuss the matter with Sir A. Grantham during the course of his forthcoming visit to London towards the end of this month.
It will be recalled that Mr. Rees Williams returned from his visit to Hong Kong with the impression that there is very little in the way of "social conscience" in Hong Kong; and that there is also a lack of civic consciousness which is reflected in the absence of any civic public buildings.
While there is I think a certain amount of force in the second of these criticisms, the collection of minutes and memoranda on this file show that, in the matter of social welfare work, there is considerable activity not only on the part of Government but also on the part of a large number of unofficial organisations.
In this connection it is interesting to record that in the report of the recent visit to Hong Kong of representatives of the Inter-University Council there are repeated references to the enlightened interest taken in (and pride felt for) the University in both official and unofficial circles.
Paper submitted accordingly for consideration by Ministers in preparation for Sir A. Grantham's arrival.
We should
7th June, 1950.
discuss this with
the Ew. I comed
send
a despatch
rather not
at the womens