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INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

Cypher (0.T.P,)

Ory. on 52897/48

FROM COMMISSIONER GENERAL FOR U.K. SOUTH EAST ASIA.

B. 24th August, 1948 R. 24th

No, 200 Secret.

Addressed to S. a 5.

14.55 hrs.

Repeated by savingram to Governor Singapore.

"

#

體

Acting High Commissioner Federation of Malaya Governor Hong Kong.

Governor Sarawak

0.A.G., North Borneo, No. 50.

Following for Seel from MacDonald,

Commander in Chief FARELF. is addressing the War Office urging that G.O.C's should not (repeat not) os a general. rule be appointed Members of the Legislative Councils in territories in S. E. Asia. The matter has been brought to a head particularly in the Federation, owing to the present situation where 0.0.0. is being unduly tied to Kuala Lumpur by Legiolative Council work and generally distracted from his military work by business of the Federation (gp omitted? because)

of his membership of the Executive and Legislative Councils.

2. Go-in-O. discussed this matter with me and Ginson, Newboult and Grantham at conference held on 8th August. Item 6 of Minutes which were a ant you by bag which left Singapore on 21st August, refers.

3. We all agree that 0.0.0's should retain membership of the Executive Councilɛ but should be given permission not to attend when military matters are not (repeat not) under discussion and especially when their military duties make attendance inconvenient.

4. In regard to Legislative Councils, we understood that appointments of G. O. C's wore made at the express request of the War office. From the civil angle, we do not think that there is any strong reason of principle why G.0.C's should be Legislative Council Members but in practice their appointments have tended to create good relations with civilian communities, though we realise that much of the work of the Legislative Councils has little to do with military matters and tends to take up a great deal of time. As a long term policy, therefore, we should not oppose the disappearance of 0.0.0's from the Legislative Councils,

5. In the cases of Singapore and the Federation, we think the immediate removal of the G.0.C's from the Legislative Councils might cause some adverse public comment as a deep laid plot to remove military authorities from public criticism, We should, therefore, intend to deal with immediate problem by giving 0.0.075

leave