(24) on'46 file
correct in its attitude, but there is no doubt that it will faithfully execute Kuomintang policy at any time. Fortunately its circulation is quite small. The worst feature of Chinese journalism in Hong Kong is its lack of moral courage. No Chinese newspaper dares to print any views which might draw upon it the censure of the controlled Press in China however objective these views might be.
12.
In education, the Kuomintang sedulously continues its policy of quiet penetration, and it is essential for the Education Department of this Government to keep a close watch on its activities. Recently a body with Kuomintang affiliations styling itself the "Overseas Chinese Educational Association" attempted to organise examinations which are the prerogative of the educational authorities of this Colony. Steps are being taken to counter this. Many Chinese schools are registered with the Kuomintang, and the school curricula include much which is calculated to generate the worst sort of nationalistic feelings. In Kuomintang controlled schools a pseudo Boy Scout and Girl Guide movement exists, which is a Chinese version of the Hitler Youth. Steps have been taken to discourage this movement, but it is difficult to oppose such activity entirely, since much of it, in particular physical training, is beneficial to the young students.
13.
In paragraph 15 of the memorandum enclosed with my predecessor's confidential despatch of 28th November, 1946, reference was made to attempts by the Kuomintang to obtain "facilities" from this Government for the erec- tion of a Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall in Hong Kong. The response to the original application was to the effect that this Government would deprecate the collec- tion of funds by the local Branch of the Kuomintang or any other body for a scheme which had not been submitted in detail and received the approval of this Government. The line which the Government has since followed in dealing with this matter was also foreshadowed in this original rebuff in which reference was made to the necessity of using all available building materials and sites for rehabilitating the Colony and the difficulty of sparing materials or a central site for a non-essential purpose. The matter was raised again in February, March and May of 1947, both by the office of Mr. T.W. Kwok and by the local headquarters of the Kuomintang, and the reply on this occasion was to the effect that, in view of the impending visit of Sir Patrick Abercrombie, the alienation of any major site for a purpose other than one directly connected with the rehabilitation and development of the Colony could not be considered until his recommendations on town planning had been received. I do not consider that it is desirable flatly to reject the proposal for such a Memorial Hall but I anticipate little difficulty in continuing the course of temporising upon which we have already embarked. Majesty's Ambassador at Nanking has been kept fully informed on this matter and has indicated his concurrence with the attitude which has been taken.
His
There
14.
The present position of the Kuomintang in Hong Kong is, therefore, that while it has made little headway during the past year, it is still active and always ready to edge its way in and try to establish its authority, are signs that the local Party Headquarters are increasingly hampered by a shortage of funds, especially since the one-party regime in China was technically ended, and the Kuomintang can no longer officially receive its funds from Government sources. It is understood that arrangements were made during the visit of General Wu Teh-chen, Secretary General of the Kuomintang, to South China in February, for financial help to be given to the Hong Kong Kuomintang through the Kwangtung Provincial Government.
15.
To conclude, I am of the opinion that it is not necessary at present to consider seriously the question of the expulsion of the Kuomintang from the Colony. So long as the present civil strife continues in China, the energies of the local Party are more likely to be concentrated towards counteracting Communist propaganda and boosting Nanking than towards