CO537-1658 — Page 3

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The Governor on the advice of his Executive Council (which includes Chinese members) has suppressed "The National Times" newspaper for one month because of an article in it calling on members of the public to assist in the capture of Mr. Shum Wai Yau and to boycott his newspaper. Mr. Shum Wai Yau is the Editor of another Hong Kong newspaper The Overseas Chinese News" which, although it continued publication under the Japanese is on the whole considered to have performed useful services. (In this connection see also the note by Mr. North at (4)).

The suppression by the Hong Kong Government of a local Chinese newspaper owned by the Kuomintang is said to be strongly criticised by the Canton members and has resulted in the cancellation of the Governor's projected visit to that Province.

This is most unfortunate but for the reasons given in paragraph 3 of (3) and particularly the point that the article if unchallenged would suggest that the fact of British sovereignty in Hong Kong might be

The loud no ager frem ignored with impunity, there can I think, be no doubt The gist Ji Foreign Office) should be sent to him approving

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as to the rightness of the Governor's action. I suggest that a telegram (to be concurred by the

what has been done.

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18.6.46

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Sir G. Ghter.

The Governor did not in No.2 or No.3 ask for approval of his action, taken on the unanimous advice of his Executive Council, in suppressing this newspaper, but it might certainly help him to know that his taking of it has support from this end; and the Foreign Office have agreed. I suggest that a telegram should be issued as in the expanded draft herewith.

I send this on since any suppression of newspapers is liable to attract attention and, being disliked by the House of Commons, to lead to questions there. But as the Governor's longer telegram (No.3) clearly shows, this particular paper was obviously inciting to physical violence and the local action merits, I suggest, the support of the Secretary of State.

Draft submitted.

Tk. Layo

19.6.46.