CO537-4075 — Page 19

TOP SECRET.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF DEFENCE COMMITTEE

HELD ON THE 13th OF NOVEMBER, 1948.

PRESENT:

H.E. the Governor (Chairman) The Chief Secretary

The Deputy Chief Secretary

The Acting Financial Secretary The Secretary for Native Affairs

The Secretary for Chinese Affairs The Commissioner, Sarawak Constabulary.

The Minutes of the meetings held on the 14th and 19th October 1948 were confirmed.

2.

H.E. informed the Committee that the Defence Co- ordination Committee, Far East had asked this Government to institute an examination of the various problems raised in excerpts from the Despatches which had been published concerning operations in the Far East during the last war. The Government had been asked to confine its replies to a discussion of the general principles involved. Suggested questions of principle which local Governments might con-

sider had been attached to the excerpts from the Despatches. The Chief Secretary had drafted a reply which had been circulated to members and H.E.proposed that the Committee take these under the different headings listed.

3.

The views expressed by the Committee on the questions raised are set out below.

A. CIVIL DEFENCE. This is a matter for special study and no comments are required at this stage.

B. CIVILIAN MORALE.

(1) Stronger sense of local nationalism. The whole political and administrative policy of the Government is at present designed to foster the idea of a common citizenship of Sarawak irrespective of race or creed. It was hoped that this would promote a sense of loyalty and a desire to protect the country against an aggressor. Local authorities are being developed to provide the people with their own elected leaders and to give them a greater voice in the government of the country; steps are also being taken by propaganda to foster loyalty to the Crown and to encourage co-operation between the people and the Government.

The raising of local volunteer forces in the country in time of peace should have the effect of implanting in people's minds the idea that they have a responsibility for the defence of their own homes. It is however realised that it is unlikely that the development of a strong feeling of local patriotism can be achieved overnight.

Increase of propaganda in the vernacular is very desirable. The Committee attaches importance to the dis- tribution of adequate printed propaganda, in the various vernacular languages, aimed at countering communist and foreign nationalist movements and encouraging western democratic principles. This should be undertaken by a regional Bureau.

The encouragement of youth movements (Boy Scouts, Girl Guides etc.) and the teaching of civics in the schools should also help to imbue a stronger sense of citizenship.

(2) Evacuation overseas. Practically all Extraction

Europeans and a large proportion of the educated non 94052/3413 domiciled Asiatics would be required for local defence