88
Bor
mlahny m/h Hiar
of a military administration required the necessary proclamation by the Force Commander superseding the Commission of the peacetime 0.A.G., and the British Admiral or senior naval officer, would himself head the military administration and would have the assistance of Mr. MacDougall and the others (to be commissioned at once as Čivil Affairs officers).
+
The only difference in the prospective situation of a Japanese capitulation is that in Hong Kong there is not likely to be the need for all from the great bulk of the civil administration to be militarised. The present Planning Unit of some 40 officers would suitably be militarised as arranged, but the gaps can be filled up by civilian personnel working under the military administration.
In the case of Borneo and Malaya,
Brigadier French and General Anderson agree that there is no reason to interrupt the filling of the War Establishment as at present approved with person- nel to be militarised as soon as appointed.
For those various fields of the administra- tion which are not catered for in a military adminis- tration, or not fully catered for, (e.g. Education) Brigadier French has agreed that there is no reason why the Colonial Office should not proceed, so far as manpower allows, with the engagement of the necessary personnel required before service in the post- military-administration-period. There need be no longer the difficulty about having to keep such people on ice until a military governor were to decide that the operational situation permitted the entry of civilians. I have asked him to confirm the last point in writing, and this they will do on the assumption that the Japanese capitulation is confirmed.
OFFICE
Wigent.
Mant.
10. 8. 45.
about
Messrs all my satisfaday, and what you say 88 On need pramilitary period in Malaya was amply
confirmed by admiral Mountbatten at his interrue with Foss.
We ought tiond off the boy hay planning, uit Molio
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