CO129-590-3 Entry of Chinese into Hong Kong 9-1-1941 - 7-11-1941 — Page 41

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Control of Chinese entre into Hong Kong. After prolonged delay due to Chines Diplomatic representations and Foreign office natural reluctance, in present circumstances, to give any offence to the Chinese, we secured Foreign office concurrence to the enactment of legislation in Họng Kong to give the local Government powers to check and restrict Chinese immigration into the Colony - a departure from the traditional freedom of the Hong Kong frontier to Chinese. But it was on condition that the measure and the policy should be re-examined after the war, and in the meantime should be administered as empathetically as possible so as to alleviate any hardship or inconveniense to Chinese nationals. As at present operated the system of control does not require Hong Kong visas on Chinese Government passports issued to persons of Chinese race. Incidentally we are told that only about 2 per cent. of the Chinese entering the Colony are in possession of Chinese passports, since the great bulk of the passenger traffic comes from areas of China under Japanese occupation where there are no facilities for issuing Chinese travelling passports.

If the Chiefs of Staffs' recommendation

I expect it does) means that the numbers of Chinese entering the Colony should be increasingly restricted the interests of the Colony's food position, we shall be in conflict with the Foreign Office, and of course the Chinese Government.

2. Both Malaya and Hong Kong have been working to a period or 130 days for the purposes of stocking up food reserves. In both the rice position is satisfactory at present. We have monthly reports, and the latest position of both showed them to have rice stocks with an excess of 130 days. The position in respect of other foods was as follows:

Meat, Hong Kong was rather short, but expected to reach the standard in July. Malaya meat stocks were above the standard.

Flour, Hong Kong was well abovs the standard; was well below (only 70 days).

Malaya

Milk, Hong Kong was well above the standard: was well below (only 60 days).

Malaya

Salt, Hong Kong was well above the standard: was well below (55 days).

Kalaya

Sugar, ample in Hong Kong; Malaya 100 days.

In Hong Kong the principal shortage was in vegetables, cheese, fish, and poultry. I think we should telegraph now on the food question to both Colonies as in draft herewith.

GEtGant

12.8.41.