CO129-583-19 Administration of government 19-5-1940 - 22-5-1941 — Page 51

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the G.O.C., whose China Headquarters in both.

cases are at Hong Kong, that Smith's qualities

have not been shown to be of a type required in

a Governor in face of the present needs.

I have decided that I must accept this

advice and in consultation with the War Office I

am proposing to submit the name of Major-

General E. F. Norton, C.B., D.S.O., M. C., who is

at present commanding the Western District in

adminster the government of tho Coconing

India, to be sent to take over as Acting Covernor

at the earliest possible date. He can be

released at once and can travel by air.

N. L. Smith will on his arrival then revert to

be Colonial Secretary and his advice and

experience on the civil side will of course, remain

available to General Norton. The latter will need

to be given the temporary rank of Lieutenant-

General while he acts as Governor and Commander

in Chief at Hong Kong, and I am writing to the

Secretary of State for War on that point.

I shall be grateful to know that you

approve my submitting General Norton's name to

the King as a matter of urgency.

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