CO537-4835(2) — Page 165

the K.M.T. and C.D.L., as being "foreign organisations",

should no longer be excluded from the operation of the

Societies Ordinance, and if their local branches then

wished to continue to operate as legal Societies in

Singapore, they would have to seek registration, which

could only be refused if it appeared that the Society

purposes

"is likely to be used for unlawful or for purposes

prejudicial to public pesce or welfare or to good order

in the Colony".

3. e feel that the proposals as thus elucidated

would be completely defensible, even if attacked in

relation to the Declaration of Human Rights.

4.

Moreover we in the Colonial Ofiice do not feel

that the C.R.0. need have any serious apprehension es

regards the possibility of representation from the

Government of India since, for the present at any

rate, no action is contemplated against the Malayan

Indian Congress. It is true that the position of

this associa tion is being examined. If, as

result of this examination, the Governor should find

it necessary, on grounds such as those quoted in

para. 2 above, to recommend that the M.I.C. should

be brought within the operation of the Ordinance, it

is inconceivable to us that, in the present circum-

stances in Malaya, Ministers would feel able to

refrain from approving such a recommendation.

But,

as I have indicated, this is at present a hypothetical

issue and we hope therefore that the C.R.O. will not,

on that account, oppose proposals directed - at

present

only against Chinese societies, and which

are unanimously recommended by the Commissioner-

General, the High Commissioner for the Federation of

Malaya and the Governors of Singapore and Hong Kong.

5. We have not yet submitted these proposals to

our Ministers but we have no doubt that they will

approve of the proposals of the High Commissioner

for the Federation of Malaya and the Governor of

/Hong Kong

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