CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6] — Page 116

C

·CONFIDENTIAL.

Sir.

2.1

KEC

ArGe 13 JUN 17

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 24th. April, 1917.

114

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of

your Circular Despatch of the 16th. January regarding the question of the closer supervision of persons of alien race who may desire to cerry on Missionary or educational work in British Possessions.

2.

I have referred the matter to my Executive Council who fully concur that the policy adopted by the Government of India should be extended generally throughout the Empire, os for as possible on uniform lines.

3.

Legislation will ultimately be necessary to give effect to the proposals made, but the matter is not immediately urgent, as, during the continuance of the war, this Government has,

in the Registration of Persons Ordinace, 1916, and in its powers of detention and deportation of undesirables, the necessary means of supervision and control. I may therefore take the opportunity in

the first instance to outline for your consideration the form of

legislation which seems suited to the circumstances of Hongkong.

In regard to Chinese subjects I would suggest

that, while they should not be excluded from the purview of the

Ordinace, discretionary power to permit Missionary and educational

workers might be vested in the Governor. Otherwise owing to the

4.

A RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

&c..

&c.

&c.

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