1
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM S. OF S. COLONTÉS
Cypher (0.T.P.)
TO SINGAPORE (Sir F. Gimson)
Sent 5th May 1949. 17.40 hrs.
32
EMERGENCY
No.423 Secret.
See 34
Addressed to Governor, Singapore.
Repeated to High Commissioner, Federation of Malaya,
No.518.
"Commissioner-General, South East Asia,
No. 244 (Governor Singapore please pass
copy)
* Governor, Hong Kong, No.467.
Your telegrams 309 and 336.
Foreign Political Parties.
I agree that you should take action proposed, and concur in terms of statement. You may of course feel that the comments of my legal adviser sent in my telegram No. 399 make it desirable to defer action against these parties pending legislation to clarify the law. If that be the case, you will doubtless let me know without delay. Since, however, similar action has been taken on previous occasions (a fact which my legal adviser had not in mind in writing his minute) you may feel it is safe to go ahead. I leave this question entirely to you.
2. If Kuomintang apply for registration, it can only be refused under Section 4(4) of the ordinance if it appears that the Society is likely to be used for unlawful purposes or for purposes prejudicial to public peace or welfare or to good order in the Colony. Nevertheless, in view of the still confused situation in China, Foreign office have suggested that, if an application is made, and you feel unable to grant registration, you should not refuse it outright to the Kuomintang (repeat Kuomintang) but should keep them in play for as long as possible. Before discussing this further with Foreign Office, I should be grateful for your views on this suggestion which is not (repeat not) intended to debar you from taking action as approved in paragraph 1 above.
3. No such suggestion is put forward in the case of the China Democratic League.
440 See my immediately following telegram addressed to High Commissioner, Federation of Malaya.