CO537-4835(2) — Page 140

INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIÌ.

Cypher (0.T.P.)

RECEIVED 25 MAT 1949 DOLONIAL OFFICE

COPY FOR DECISTRATION

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Grantham)

D. 24th May, 1349. R. 24th

08.55 hrs.

No. 499 Secret.

Addressed to 3. or S. Repeated

44

It Commissioner General Singapore

No. 162.

Societies Ordinance had first reading in the

Legislative Council on 18th May 1949.

2.

(31) attached to your savingram No. 96 of 6th May were included in the Bill as presented. Main exception concerned proposed clause 5 (2). View we hold is that where Registrar is satisflad there is connection with outside political organisation(s) present circumstances

Mejority of suggestions by your Legal Adviser

A discretion contene

in the origind HK.

Afr.

-vide 5.4(3) Jewell to (18)

require that it be mandatory on the Registrar to refuse registration and clause in the Bill now in Council bas so provided. A discretion as proposed by amendment would almost certainly prove an embarrassment to the Registrar and the Government.

3.

It was impossible to consider for inclusion certain provisions of Malaya 1947 Ordinance since no copy of that Ordinance had been received by 18th May. Necessity or practicability of such inclusion at Committee stage will be kept in view.

Local press comment on the New Ordinance holds that it is mainly directed at Kuomintang since Chinese Commnists are not openly organised as a party here. Break from policy which has for long given great latitude in this Colony to existence and operation (corrupt group) of every kind has been pointed out,

(Correction being obtained)

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