CO537-3705 — Page 188

Suggested passage for inclusion in

reply to Chinese Ambassador

B

In the circumstances set out above, H.M.G. consider

that the Hong Kong Government were fully justified in

deciding to clear the area of these temporary hutmenta,

which were endangering the wellbeing of the community at

large. They also consider that the Hong Kong Government

showed every consideration to the squatters in the

measures taken to evict them, consistent with good

administration and the maintenence of law and order.

The Governor of Hong Kong was kept informed max of the

representations made by the Chinese Government to

H.M. Ambassador at Nanking, and H. M. G. are satisfied

that he has taken, and will continue to take, those

representations into account. At the same time, in

H.M.G.'s opinion, it would be quite wrong for the

Hong Kong Government to refrain from taking any

administrative measures which are necessary in the

interests of the community in respect of Kowloon City, on account of the jurisdiction issue, which H.M.G. considers

must be dealt with separately. In this connection,

H.M.Q. cannot but feel that the activities of the

"National Times and those of the magistrate of Po-On

district, referred to above, were most regrettable.

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