CO537-4835(2) — Page 160

SECRET

52928/20/49.

Colonial office,

The Church Koune,

Great Smith Street,

£.. 1.

28th April, 1949%

ith reference to our discussion on 24th March, I enclose further telegraphic correspondence with the Governor of Singapore about the proposal to "ban" Malaya: branches of foreign political parties. I also enclose a copy of a despatch from Hong Kong enclosing a copy of the Bill which the Governor wishes to introduce there. Subsequently to this correspomience we have received a further telegram from Hong Kong asking for an early reply, since the Governor considers that the introduction of the ill should not be delayed, and a telegram from the Federation of Malaya, of which 1 also enclose a copy, from which you will see that the ligh Commissioner wishes to introduce his bill (on the lines of the Singapore Ordinance) on the 19th of May.

We therefore hope that it will now be possible to deal with these matters without further delay.

2. You will see that in singapore the (overnor's proposal amounts to this: that the .T. and C.D.L., as being "foreign organicationa", ehold no longer be excluded from the operation of the Societies Ordinance, and if their local branches then wished to continue to operate as legal Societics in Singapore, they would have to seek registration, which could only be refused if it ap beardd that the society "is likely to be used for

.Y.

CARLET, MO.

unlawful

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