Copy of
muinte
1...
52928/20/49
on
23
ļ
It is unfortunate that, as a result of the delay which has taken place in dealing with this matter (due partly to the interim corres- pondence with Singapore at Nos. 33 - 38, und to pressure of even more urgent work), Sir K, Roberts-iray's coments on the Singapore Ordinance in the minute of the 6th April ha ve only just been telegraphed to Malaya and Hong Kong in the telegrams at Nos. 45 - 48.
In the meantime we have had a telegram from Malaya at No. 40 saying that they wish to introduce their Bill on the 19th May and also a telegram from Hong Kong (No. 19 on 54463/49) representing the urgency to introduce legis- lation there.
In the meantime the question of policy (as distinct from legal complications) has not yet been settled. A draft was prepared in the Eastern Department with which I do not agree in that either of the alternative suggestions made therein would tie the hands of the Malayan Governments, if as a result of the examination now being undertaken, they should ultimately wish to take action against the Malayan Indian Congress. I have therefore prepared a fresh draft herewith, covering action both as regards Malaya and Hong Kong.
In that draft I have commented on only one of the provisions of the Hong Kong Bill in 54463/49 1.e. the provision under which registration of a Society could be refused on the ground that it "is affiliated or connected with any organisation or group of a political nature which is established outside the Colony, in such a manner sa to place such Society in any way or in any matter under the control of such organisation or group".
This provision goes very much furt than anything in the Singapore Ordin in the draft herewith I have taken