CO537-4075 — Page 27

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the highest level, finance officers are not likely to have difficulty in implementing them. Both Government and the Services will readily find all the cash that is wanted when there is a war on.

(J)

(K)

(1)

(ii)

(111)

FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

The war effort should be co-ordinated through the Supreme War Council of which the Commissioner-General should be the . Chairman with Officers Administering the Government as members as well as the Commanders-in-Chief.

It would be to the advantage of the Civil Government to have a separate Military Commander for Base and Line of Communication Areas in the event of active operations as the fighting Commander would thereby be relieved of day-to-day liaison with the Civil Government on matters other than those connected with active operations.

whether the Railways and Ports should be put under military control in the event of war in Malaya would de- pend upon circumstances.

INTELLIGENCE

The intelligence service described under (D) could supply interpreters and interrogators to the armed forces in an emergency.

(L)

PUBLIC RELATIONS

It would be necessary to set up a Joint Services/ Civilian co-ordinating body. It is considered preferable that in general the existing local Public Relations machine be adapted and used for public information in war- time as there are considerations of custom, language, religion and tradition which would make it almost impossi- ble for the Services or any newcomer to the country to convey to the local population the necessary information except through the local machine and through the local staff which has been trained for the purpose.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

Авирок

Ag. Chief Secretary.

To: The Deputy Commissioner-General (Colonial Affairs),

Singapore.

Copy to:

Head, Far East Defence Secretariat, Singapore.

Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office,

London.