CO537-5132 — Page 28

45 F.0.

Tel. 919 from Singapore #

5.00

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Mr. Paskin

I have read Nos. 41 and 44 with interest.

11.49

No. 41 seems to me to be perfectly all right. The trouble is we have not got a Hong Kong representative on the I.R.O., and there is a squabble going on with the Treasury about getting one.

I have not got any comments on No. 44 so far as Hong Kong is concerned. Faragraphs 2-5 seem to me to be, in general, equally suitable for Hong Kong as for Malaya.

I have now had an opportunity of looking at the note by f the Colonial Office and Foreign Office attitude to be adopted in publicity towards Communism in Malaya and China and the Commissioner-General's telegram No. 288 of the 21st October (copies attached). What will do for Malaya as a propaganda policy will not necessarily do for Hong Kong, and, so far as I can trace, very little has been agreed with Hong Kong up-to-date as to the line they should take vis-à-vis the Communists excepta an the general basia of net favouring the downanets roesto the tromstag There is, however, your letter of the 30th September, which dealt with the particular question of publicity about Hong Kong's defence measures (see No. 176 on 94001/28/49 below), and, generally speaking, paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 in the Malayan note on publicity are, I think, equally suitable in the case of Hong Kong and should be telegraphed to them as soon as possible.

As I told you in conversation, I mentioned on Saturday last to Mr. Galsworthy what I felt was an urgent need, viz. the question of clearing up with Hong Kong what line they would take on the subject of recognition, and this, it seems to me, has got to be tackled at once, with the recognition date perhaps not more than a week ahead. My own view is, as I suggested to you, that we ought to have a round-table discussion with Mr. Blackburne, forthwith if necessary, [and with the Foreign Office] It may be that we shall have to ask Hong Kong to give us their views on how this matter should be tackled from that end, and then get agreement to them. the issue clearly brooks no delay, and I think the sooner we discuss it the better.

the

But

In the meantime, for reasons which I have explained to you, I feel extremely doubtful as to the advisability of sending off the letters signed by Mr. Blackburne on 96038/1(F)/49 below. In the absence of a Hong Kong representative of I.R.O., Singapore, this sort of thing had, I agree, much better be dealt with between this Department and Mr. Hesketh-Smith, the Governor's Political Adviser in Hong Kong, who will know best whether to handle it through the P.R.0. or not. I mentioned this to Mr. Blackburne, and I understand that he is disposed to agree.

B-

I suggest that we should arrange a discussion with Mr. Plackburne at a very early date. I am engaged this afternoon at 2.30 p.m., but am free on Wednesday and Thursday.

جدار

13.12.1949.

Sun's thiafror was mittres I have afwhen the Blackbare

Q

The only posible time he can manage during the next in days is 10-am, tomorrow morning & Share

provisonally -fixed thus. Perhaps you will confirm them.