CO537-3705 — Page 194

8. Mr. T.. Kwok, the Chinese Representative in

Hong Kong, raised objection to the proposed evictions

at the outset, on the ground of the Chinese claim to

jurisdiction. He protested after the evictions on

January 5th; and again, on January 12th, after the

removal of the re-erected huta. On the last occasion,

the Governor remonstrated with him for encouraging

the agitators at the outset, instead of telling the

squatters of the action he had taken and advising

them to obey the eviction orders.

9. Before the expiry of the original eviction

notices, Dr. T.V. Soong, Governor of Kwangtung

Province, made and then cancelled a request to the

Governor for action to be postponed until he had

had time to acquaint himself and the local public

with the facts.

Colonial Office,

19th January, 1948.