CO129-591-17 Liberation of Hong Kong- instructions to Mr Gimson- proposed civil administrator 10-8-1945 - 21-9-1945 — Page 25

G

M.5337.

1500 pads, 4/44. v.6.&8.Ltd. 52-6429.

& wishes

x

payment from.

954144/22/1664

SECRET

From C. in C. Hong Kong.

23

IN 0113082/dayt

RECEIVED:---

DATE 2.9.45.

TIME 1942.

C.C.M. (Naval) F.0.'s Secret by W/T.

WARNING: This is an unparaphrased version of a secret cypher or confidential code message, and the text must first be paraphrased* if it is essential to communicate it to persons outside British or Allied Government Services.

[*NOTE: Messages shown as having been sent in a One-Time Pad ("O.T.P.") are excepted from this rule.]

Addressed

IMMEDIATE

Admiralty.

Pass following from Officer Administering the Government, Hong Kong to Secretary of State for the Colonias.

me.

Reference your message via Chungking dated 17th August and your message via Admiralty in reply to mine of 23rd August Admiral Harcourt arrived 30th August. I have seen draft proclamation carried by him to establish military administration. He concurs that existing civil administrative departments should continue to function under him and proposes to appoint me Lieut.- Governor to take charge of civil affairs with a Colonial Secre- tary and the usual other civil officers and Councils to assist

With your concurrence I shall be glad to accept this appointment. It is necessary that some existing Government,

essential services, and public utilities, personnel should remain behind to assist the military administration after the general evacuation of prisoners of war. I understand that it is not the policy to evacuate officially civil internees as distinct from prisoners of war and cases urgently requiring hospitalization and treatment abroad. To ascertain what persons would still be physically and mentally fit for givilian duties a medical examination will be undertaken. The views) of the individuals themselves will have to be consulted, especially in the case of those who, in addition to the other privations and hardships they have undergone, are long overdue for normal leave and have not seen their relatives and families for years. Those who remain behind could not be kept on duty much longer than the end of 1945 when those who should proceed now on leave, would have, if fit, to be prepared to return to relieve them. In any case there is likely to be severe shortage of civil staff and work will have to be done in the absence of many normal facilities. I would therefore ask that the possibility of drafting in additional staff of kinds to be specified as the position develops should be explored without delay. Administra- tive, financial, legal, medical and public works department personnel should be kept in view for supplements. A well qualified officer to fill the post of Attorney-General is particularly desired at an early date. I would request informa- tion also as to how payment of salaries and family allowances of Government servants has been dealt with since end 1941, and

what arrangements should be made for (2servants) to stay on and what credentials in this respect those who are proceeding elsewhere will require.

M.(4) for Sec. of State for Colonies.

M.37

24A

36

0113082.