00 164
18.
1
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Ref.:
CO 537/1262
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives erms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet.
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Permi. U.S. of S.
Parly. US. of S.
Secretary of State.
14·3 fro
r Sir George Gater's signature
MEDIATE
CRET
. Rowan
Cuusol (G)
HONG KONG
Thank you for your minute of the
th March asking, on behalf of the Prime
nister, for my comments on the minute
Idressed to the Prime Minister on behalf of
le Chiefs of Staff on the continuance of the
litary administration in Hong Kong after
it of April.
We are not, of course, in a position
> assess, the military reasons put forward by
le Chiefs of Staff for an extension.
Tham, are, however, cogent
I
uld, however, like to mention the reasons
1y, military administration should not be
X
ontinued longer than is absolutely necessary.
t is a form of administration, akin to
artial law, which severely restricts the
ights and privileges of the individual. lso adversely affects the future of the erritory, inasmuch as a military administrati
It
B clearly not in a position to embark on the
onger term measures of rehabilitation and
Those newsmen)
sconstruction, which are of first importanc
N
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and urgency to the territory as a whole and
should not be delayed a moment longer than
is absolutely necessary.
consideratio
If it is considered that the military
reasons adduced in the minute addressed to the
Prime Minister are such as to necessitate an
extension of the period of military administration,
tive
would strongly urge, for the reasons given above,
that the period should be kept as short as possible
and that it should not be longer than a month.
As soon as the date is finally settled, it
is proposed to issue a public announcement of
His Majesty's approval of the extension of Sir Mark
Young's term of office as Governor to enable him
to complete a year's duty in the territory as from
the date of his return, together with the approximate
date of his return.
!
Mr. Creech Jones, whom I have consulted
on this matter, is in agreement with the foregoing.
A
cms
2
Ref.:
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
CO 537/1262
N
restrictions Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of Nali
Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subpect to copyright
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