69
54491/50
HONG KONG
No. 216
R.S:C. 1/51 (Appendix B)
COLONIAL OFFICE,
THE CHURCH HOUSE,
GREAT SMITH STREET,
WESTMINSTER,
S..1.
19th August, 1950.
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to Mr. Creech Jones' despatch No. 56 of the 4th March, 1949, forwarding a report on social welfare by my adviser, Mr. W. H. Chinn, and to inform you that I have recently taken the opportunity of discussing social welfare issues with the Governor.
2. I was glad to learn of the efforts which are being made in Hong Kong to deal with the many special problems which have arisen mainly because of unsettled conditions in China and the consequent influx of refugees into the Colony. I appreciate from your savingram No.543 of the 17th May that these problems and the extra defence and internal security work caused by them has rendered the consideration of social policy very difficult. Nevertheless I was somewhat concerned to hear that many of the longer term and more constructive social welfare policies cannot yet be put in hand, largely through lack of staff and because the Social Welfare Officer has been required to deputise for the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
3. I am aware that it is difficult to foster a civic conscience in a population that is largely migrant. At the same time consideration of the more important social issues cannot be deferred indefinitely. In the circumstances I would be glad if consideration could now be given to the first two of Mr. Chinn's suggestions, namely the establishment of an independent department with separate functions from those of the Secretariat of Chinese Affairs, and perhaps more important, the provision of a deputy for the present Social Welfare Officer. As you know, I attach great importance to the development of an organisation which is capable of tackling many of the social problems of Hong Kong to which insufficient attention can be devoted at present. I hope that you will be prepared to place this problem before the Legislature and that they will recognise that the provision of funds for a substantial increase in the establishment of the Social Welfare Office would be a desirable act conducive to the future development of the territory.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
(Signed) J. GRIFFITHS.
THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING
THE GOVERNMENT OF
HONG KONG,