CO129-533-1A Leased Territories- boundary and development 22-1-1931 - 8-3-1932 — Page 32

8.

saying that, if Kowloon were not retained, we might as well

surrender Hong Kong itself. I do not like to go quite so

far as this as regards the whole of the New Territory, but

I would at all events apply the same remark to the greater

part of it. The question of water supply and military

defence are so important that the question of retaining the

whole of this territory on a permanent basis should be

explored when a suitable opportunity occurs. This may not

happen until China becomes more stabilised than it is today.

I would stress the point that during the past few

years considerable money has been invested in land and

property, both in Kowloon and the New Territory, by Chinese

who undoubtedly have taken this course because, so long as

these areas are under British control, greater safety and

stability are secured than obtain in China proper. I

consider that, if we let either or both of these territories

revert to China, we should be deemed by these people to have

failed in our trust in regard to them.

15.

In 1927 the following undertaking was given by His

Majesty's Government:

"His Majesty's Goverment will give the fullest

protection to Hong Kong and its mainland territories during

the civil war now unhappily raging in China, and they have

no intention whatever of surrendering Hong Kong, or of

abandoning or diminishing in any way its rights or authority

in any part of the adjacent mainland territories under

British administration, to the maintenance of which His

Majesty's Government attach the highest importance."

I can only add that I entirely agree with that

policy, and believe that it is not only the correct, but the

only one to follow.

16. I attach a return

-

D showing the population of

the various areas in the years 1921 and 1931.

21.631