CO537-5001 — Page 43

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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

of

(Conveyed by the Minister of Defence on behalf of the

Secretary of State for the Colonies).

Having regard to the threat to the security of

Hong Kong, His Majesty's Government have decided to

appoint a Commander to command all the Land, Air and

Local Naval defence forces in Hong Kong. He will be

responsible to the British Defence Co-ordination Committee

through the Commanders-in-Chief, Far East.

2. In this connection His Majesty's Government have had

under consideration the recommendations in your secret

despatch signal No. 15 of 3rd May 1949 that in present circumstances

the Hong Kong Government should continue to take all

possible measures of defence and security, provided they

do not jeopardise the primary function of the Colony as

a trading base.

3. His Majesty's Government fully recognise that it is

most important in the interests of the welfare of the

population of the Colony and of internal security that the

commercial life of Hong Kong should be maintained to the

fullest extent compatible with the developing situation.

Nevertheless, having regard to the threat to the security

of the Colony from external aggression and/or internal

unrest His Majesty's Government have decided that, in the

event of any differences of opinion as to the necessity'

for, or execution of, any security measures, the views

of the Commander, Hong Kong should prevail provided that,

except in cases of extreme urgency, if the difference of

opinion concerns a matter of great importance to the

welfare of the Colony you shall have the right to refer

the matter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies

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/and