1 Gov.
31
Dorp 37 Sead
2.ARD. Coates (Fo
(FO)
Minute by Anformation Dept.
Communications
LA
In a thing y
GPp. (M Hatton)
w. (1) reval
(Mr Johnston)
"Mr Sunth)
17.10.49
25.10.49
29. 49
9.12-9
The despatch at (1) submits a memorandum, consisting of sixteen sections, dealing with various problems which might arise between Hong Kong and the Chinese Communists. The Governor asks to be informed in due course whether the general policy disclosed is approved.
A copy of the memorandum and covering despatch has been sent to the Foreign Office for their consideration; copies of Section I, II, III, VII, VIII and XI have been circulated to the relevant departments in the office for comment; Section II (Shipping) and Section VII (Postal and Telecommunications) have also been submitted to the Ministry of Transport and General Post Office respectively for their observations. Copies of minutes by Information Department and Communication Department (Mr. Johnston and Mr. Smith) and a letter from the G. P. O. are registered at (2, (3), (4) and (5)
I have discussed the memorandum briefly
with Mr.Coates of the Foreign Office and heat they
writ giving their comments. The se have however not yet materialised and I have therefore prepared a note on the memorandum and a covering despatch to the Governor which will have to be submitted to the Foreign Office for
concurrence.
The note takes into account the comments offered by the various departments and refers to correspondence on other papers in cases where particular problems have already arisen and are being dealt with.
thet
One or two points not covered in the se drafts call for some comment. At X of his minute at (26) Mr. Morgan suggests that Hong Kong are wrong in making the adoption of proposed measures for dealing with the press and radio subject to H. M. G. agreeing to apply them as part of a general policy and not unilaterally in Hong Kong. I do not think that in fact this is what, Hong Kong propose; they say that any measures/night take against the Communists in Hong Kong will be more effective if they are part of an overall policy of H. M.G. and they suggest that it is not desirable to make Hong Kong the main instrument for retaliaton against Communist hostile measures and pinpricks. There is however no question but that the Governor will take at once any measures necessary to counter activities by the Communists in or specifically against Hong Kong and there would be no question of such action being conditional upon the adoption of similar measures elsewhere.
As regards the section on shipping, I understand that the Ministry of Transport will have some material comments and in fact that they feel the proposals by the Governor run entirely contrary to H. M. G. 's shipping policy. I myself have made some comment upon this section and this may require amendment when the Ministry of Transport write explaining their views. However it seems probable that the Ministry may perhaps have misunderstood the nature of the memorandum and the action the
Governor