[456B] Wt. 32483, 800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748
C. O.
Mr. Dorman 6/7
Mr. Chinn
8/7
Mr. Hall
Mr.....
Sidebotham 13.
Mr. Parkin this
Fermt. U.S. of S.
Parly. U.S. S.
Minister of State
Secretary of State
Your Reference.
DRAFT. DESPATCH
216
Sir,
54491/50
Ly
gG.
1287
25
19 AUS 1950
HONG KONG.
NO.
I have the honour to refer to Mr. Creech Jones'
(17) in despatch No. 56 of the 4th March, 1949, forwarding a 12500/17/49
(4) in 12500/17/2/50.
FURTHER ACTION.
Copy on 12500/17.
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
Nevertheless I was somewhat concerned to
difficult.
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.
difficult
3. I am aware that it is head to foster a civic
conscience in a population that is largely migrant but fat
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