CO537-4835(2) — Page 52

Sect. File 37/3231/47s.

No. IH.

YRET.

Copied to British Embassy

Nanking.

(1

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

th

HONG KONG.

8 April, 1949.

18

(7).

(1)

(8A).

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to paragraph 2 of my telegram No.212 of the 1st March regarding action in Hong Kong for the more effective control of foreign parties or organisations on lines similar to that proposed by the Governor of Singapore in his telegram No.152 addressed to you.

2.

Although I do not anticipate any serious reper- cussions in Hong Kong as the result of the action proposed in Malaya, the possible local effects of this move will be closely watched and I will keep you informed of any develop- ments.

3.

In the meantime I consider that the maintenance of law and order in Hong Kong at the present time would be assisted by the introduction of legislation to require the compulsory registration of all local societies, and to provide that all Triad Societies, whether or not they were able to achieve registration or formal exemption from registration, would forthwith become unlawful societies. Although Triad Societies are already unlawful societies under the provisions of Section 3 of the Societies Ordinance, No.8 of 1920, it is possible under existing legislation for such societies to continue to exist under another name.

4.

I enclose a copy of a draft Bill which is considered appropriate for this purpose, and which is at present under urgent examination by my Executive Council.

5.

Particular attention is invited to Clause 4 (3) of the draft Bill which makes specific provision for refusing registration to a society having affiliation with a political organisation outside the Colony. In addition the Objects and Reasons reveal that it is Government's policy to make no secret of its intention, on enactment of the legislation, to apply this Clause so as to refuse registration and thus law- ful existence to societies of the above described category notwithstanding that they are already in existence and operating in the Colony.

I consider that this proposed legislation should be brought into force in this territory as a matter of urgency since, for the reasons given in paragraph 3 of the Governor of Singapore's telegram referred to above with which I am in full agreement, I feel that the present time is the psychological moment for its enactment, and that any delay now would render our position the more difficult later on.

I am satisfied that there is ample justification for this legislation, apart from general world conditions

7.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

сын.

ARTHUR CREECH JONES, M.P.