DEUDIATE
SI CRIT
10 Downing Street,
S..1.
00 16 1
GENI. AI, HOLLIS
The Prime Minister hur scen your micute of March 13 about the continuance of military administra-
tion in Hong Kong, and after con- sulting the Colonial frice nes decided that fir Hark Young's
return should be c'cferred for one
I have month from pril 1.
informed the Colonial Office
accordingly and they re proceeding on this basis.
(S) T.L. ROVAN
15 March. 1946.
Ref.
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00 182
IMMEDI TE
SECILT
Mr. Rowan.
18
HONO KONG
Thank you for your minute of the 14th March asking, on behalf of the Prime Minister, for my comments on the minute addressed to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Chiefs of Staff on the continuance of the military administration in Hong Kong after 1st of April.
We are not, of course, in a position to assess the military reasons put forward by the Chiefs
There are, however, cogent of staff for an extension. reasons why, in our view, military administration should not be continued longer than is absolutely ne cessary. It is a form of administration, akin to martial law, which severely restricts the rights and
It also adversely privileges of the individual. affects the future of the territory, inasmuch as a military administration is clearly not in a position to embark either on discussions leading up to constitutional advance (a matter of particular interest to the people of the Colony) or on the longer term
Those measures of rehabilitation and reconstruction. measures are of first importance and urgency to the territory as a whole and should not be delayed a moment longer than is absolutely necessary.
If it is considered that the considerations adduced in the minute addressed to the Prime Minister are such as to necessitate an extension of the period of military administration, we would strongly urge, for the reasons given above, that the period should be kept as short as possible and that it should not
bey
7
Ret
CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
N
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copynghi
A
Page 895Page 896
00 16 1
S.7.1.
lu Downing Street,
OLIS
Prime Minister iur ECCU
ite of March 13 about the ice of military administra-
long Fong, and after con-
the Colonial office nes
that fir Hark Young's
hould be ccferred for one ɔpril 1. I have
the Colonial Office
ply and they are proceeding basis.
(SC) 7.1. ROVAN
15 March, 1946.
| 2
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
2
non teal this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leafiel
restrictions. Further information is given i