Ref. No.
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
"RADIO HONG KONG”
113
(H.K.B.S. 32.)
3
9683+/15
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HONG KONG BROADCASTING STUDIOS,
HONG KONG. 23rd July,
19
49.
K. W. Blackburne, Esq., C.M.G., O.B.E.,
Director of Information Services,
Colonial Office,
LONDON, W.1,
xl
England.
Dear Blackburne,
11
INFORMATION
3 AUG 1949 REGISTRY
I am writing to you personally to find out unofficially your opinion on a suggestion which we have recently made to the B.B.C. about the future staffing of Radio Hong Kong and the question of staff secondments both to and from the Corporation.
Last week I received a letter from Mrs. Jean Coltart of the Administrative Section of the Overseas Service, asking if I could help in finding two suitable candidates in Hong Kong for appointment as Chinese Programme Assistants to the Far Eastern Service. After discussion with the Colonial Secretary and the Financial Secretary here it was agreed that I go ahead and look for suitable candidates, but that in the meantime I approach the B.B.C. and find out if they would, on the other hand, consider obtaining their Programme Assistants from the Hong Kong Government, who could provide two men with the necessary qualifications and training from Radio Hong Kong for periods of, say, three years. After their three years, the two would return to our staff, two more taking their place at the B.B.C., and so on. In this way we could guarantee two men who were tried in the work, had a good knowledge of Chinese broadcasting at first hand, and an insight into the problems to be faced in broadcasting to China from London. the same time they would gain vaulable experience by seeing a new country and learning the workings of a much bigger broadcasting organisation, with its more varied problems and methods.
At
In exchange for these two Chinese we have suggested that the Corporation might be prepared to second to Radio Hong Kong, from its English staff, a Programme Director and a News Editor or Programme Assistant on a similar basis, with similar advantages to us.
We have, of course, not yet had a reply from the B.B.C. but would be most grateful, meanwhile, to learn your personal opinion of this suggestion, which seems here to offer both ourselves and the B.B.C. a steady exchange of new men with first-class broadcasting experience, new ideas, etc.
If,
We wondered if, provided the scheme meets with your approval, you would approach the Corporation personally and sound their reactions at first hand.
in principle, the scheme meets with the B.B.C.'s approval and fits in with their present staffing policy, and is also agreeable to you, the matter will, of course, be raised officially by H.E. with the Secretary of State as soon as possible, and there will be, I know, the fullest support from everyone concerned at "this end.
I must apologies for approaching you personally with this somewhat domestic matter as I know how many much more urgent and important affairs you have to deal with, but I should be most grateful for your opinion and hope that the idea will meet with your approval you may remember we touched on it during your visit last year?.
Incidentally, I wonder if you heard Hong Kong's contribution to "Colonial Journey" - we should very much like to know your reactions?
Yours sincerely,
with hind regundo, you win f Hamme Director.
D. KEITH HARDY,
Programme