CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 188

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take work.

4. It is to be recollected that the decision as to the desirability of any alien for admission to the country and the conditions under which he may be admitted are matters for the decision of the Authorities of this country after the aliens' arrival.

5. Sir William Joynson-Hicks agrees, however, that visits to this country by gemzine and desirable students are to be encouraged; and having regard to the representations put forward by the Governor, he is prepared to agree that, for the present at all events, documents of identity may be issued to persons coming under classes (11) and (iii) above-mentioned, who satisfy the Governor as to their character, bona fides and means of support.

6. It will be observed that persons coming under both these classes will be treated as aliens, on arrival in this country but that it is possible that, as regards persons coming under class (ii), who may claim birth in Hong Kong, it may be difficult to enforce if necessary their removal from the United Kingdom. Sir William Joynson-Hicks feels

bound therefore to ask that every case within that class should be referred to this Department through the Colonial Office with full details for enquiry before the document is granted. The references, he suggests, could be made telegraphically, if desired, at the applicant's expense.

7. With regard to cases in class (iii) Sir William Joyason-Hicks will not object to the issue of certificates of identity without reference, on the understanding that the document will not be granted unless the Governor is fully satisfied as to the character and antecedents of the student, that proper arrangements have been made for his studies and that he will have adequate means of support in this country.

8. Sir William Joynson-Hicks hopes that a clear distinction will be

made in the form or wording of certificates issued to persons in clase (i) and in classes (11) and (iii) respectively e.g.. in the case of (1) it will be definitely shown that the holder has satisfied the Governor 28 to the fact of his birth in Hong Kong: whereas a certificate granted in the case of (ii) will at most how that the holder claims birth in Hong Kong - a claim which ex hypothesi lạ not accepted. It will be convenient if the Certificates issued to recognised British Subjects are made easily distinguishable from others, He would also suggest that except in very special cases the document should be confined to particulara

of the identity of the applicant etc. and should not contain &

recommendation from a British authority as in the case of the certificate

issued to Wong Wing on the 7th June 1924 vide correspondence under Colonial Office reference 54664(1924)), which might prove embarrassing

to.

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in the event of trouble in this country with the holder of the document.

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