1
A
might be greatly preferable to arrange for
the enrolment of an extra battalion of the
Malay Regiment beyond the actual needs of
internal security in Malaya itself. The
financial implications of such a course were
discussed. It was decided that active
consideration should be given to the raising
of such an extra battalion of the Malay Regiment
having regard to the limiting factors of
equipment and trained instructors. An important
argument for the adoption of this course would
be that it would assist to relieve British
troops.
1
6. The most immediate problem is to find
means of stopping a completely wholesale
eruption of refugees from South China into
Hong Ki ng. It was considered that it was
generally undesirable to suggest to the Governor
by telegram various means of achieving this aim
either by sea or land, The appreciation of
the local Cs-in-C was very shortly expected
by the COS and should be awaited together with
that of the G#Hi10: themselves. It would be
advisable for a representative of the Colonial
office to meet teh Commissioner-General, the
Governors and the Cs-in-C in the Far East at
the Conference at Jesselton to be held on the
15th January: and it was decided that Mr. Paskin
should go to that Conference but should first
visit Hong Kong.
COS
7. The point was made that if and when it is
necessary to close the frontier of Hong Kong