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(e) Civil authorities must consider taking all possible

steps to counter and control refugee problem, including

erecting of wire, making arrangements for food rationing and

registration, establishing refugee organisation and expanding

the existing Hong Kong Folice Force and Defence Force. Raising

of a separate auxiliary Police Force is considered im-

practicable.

(i) C.0.S. appreciate that there may be some

political difficulty in erecting wire along land frontier

Stout

In their

*but regard such an arrangement as a necessity if expected

influx of refugees is to be countered and controlled.

view, proper control of frontier will involve fewer difficulties

than maintenance of internal order in the Colony if flood of

refugees is allowed to enter. (Attention of 0.0.S. was also

drawn to question of using fire to prevent illegal entry

of refugees, but in their conclusions they have expressed no

opinion. I assume you will be giving consideration to the

important political problems involved in a decision to open

fire to prevent entry of refugees by unauthorised routes, and that this will be considered at B.D.C.C. meeting.)

(ii) C.0.S. understand that one of main difficulties

in increasing size of existing Police Force would be provision

of European officers, and thought it probable that, as numbers.

required will not be large, suitable ex-servicemen who could

be easily and quickly trained may be available. They suggested

that Colonial Office might contact Service Departments to obtain

a list of suitable ex-servicemen; I am examining this suggestion.

(iii) As regards C.O.S. view on arrangements for food

rationing and registration, the considerable administrative

difficulties were brought to their notice: I should be grateful

for your further views on their recommendations.

(f) Civil and Military resources in Hong Kong would be

inadequate to deal both with attacks by guerilla forces, and

refugee problem, without reinforcement by a Brigade Group,

which could only be found at expense of forces now in Malaya.

(g) Colonial Office suggestion to raise battalions of

/the

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