CO129-570-2 Sino-Japanese War- restrictions on refugees in Hong Kong- due to shortage of accommodation 30-5-1938 - 1-6-1938 — Page 8

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Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of

State for the Colonies.

128

8

Dated 31st May 1938.

Received 6.25 a.m. 31st May 1938. RECEIV

IMPORTANT.

No 146.

31 MAY 1938

0. O. REGY

Addressed Colonial Office No 146 repeated to H.M.Ambassador at

Shanghai No 93

My telegram No 145. I am contemplating immediate

passage of measure restricting landlords right to possession

in cases of hardship. Measure follows section 12 and section

15 of Rent Restriction Act 1925. Result of intensive bombing

of Canton following on the occupation of Amoy and threats to

Swatow is very heavy influx by railway and steamer services which

inevitably must tend to raise rents unduly. British Broadcasting

Corporation statement received here last evening that 70,000

refugees had come in during the week end from Canton was I

understand in error for 7,000, Company should be requested to

correct the error publicly at the earliest opportunity.

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Telegram from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary

of State for the Colonies,

Dated 30th May, 1938. Received 10-30 am 30th May, 1938,

RECEIVED.

30 MAY 1938

O. O. REQolar telegram of the 30th May to the

Consule at Canton, Swatow, Foochow, Amoy, repeated to His Majesty's Ambassador and the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Please informa local authorities that housing accommodation

in Hong Kong has now reached the state of saturation point.

It is must unlikely that refugees with means would find

house room: destitute certainly will not.

Consequently

well-to-do persons wishing to take shelter here are strongly

advised to go elsewhere. In the case of desti

destitute refugees

I have reluctantly been compelled to rule in future that

passengers other than those withnormal business to transact in

Hong Kong will only be permitted to land here if they can

produce

twenty dollars in cash per

evidence of means of support

person in family as

those unable to do so will be

sent back by importing ships at shipping company's expense.

Shipping Compenteshould be warned of this. Similer steps

are being taken at this end.

END

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