CO537-(205_1260-1262) — Page 606

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13031/4/46 Part II.

Dear Mallaby,

Downing Street,

8.W.1.

October, 1946.

We have now been able to examine the latest revise of the draft Paper by the Joint Planning Starr on the future garrison of

Hong Kong (No. JP(46)179(0), and we think it

69

may be of assistance to the Joint Planners to have

a statement of the view we take about the proposal that a local militia or gendarmerie might be raised in Hong Kong to replace at some future date the British garrison,

This suggestion originated with the

War office. It has never been communicated to,

or considered by, the Hong Kong Government, the Hong Kong Defence Committee, or the British Defence Committee in South East Asia, We are aware of the difficulties with which the War Office are faced in regard to manpower and of course raise no objection whatever to the proposal being considered on its merits at the appropriate time. But in view of the recommendation of the South East Asia Defence Committee that it should be accepted in principle that a garrison of one British brigade and a field regiment will be required in Hong Kong until conditions in China become more stable and in the absence of consultation with the local civil and military authorities we do not feel able to go further than that,

COLONEL H.G.O. MALLABY.

On/

CO 537/1261

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