CO129-591-8 Policy directives 10-3-1944 - 17-8-1944 — Page 53

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HONG KONG

CIVIL AFFAIRS POLICY DIRECTIVES

POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

Postal Services

First Draft

4/5/44

(a) During the period of military administration the Postal

Authority should be chiefly concerned to restore the non-transit mail

services, inward and outward, but early steps should be taken to

prepare for the re-institution of the transit mail traffic in

accordance with the Postal Convention.

(b) Rates. Unless otherwise instructed the rates of postage should approximate as closely as possible to the rates in force in

1941.

Telecommunications Services

When full civil administration is restored it will be the

policy of the civil government that external telecommunications

service should be operated in accordance with an Empire system

approved by H.M.G. During the period of military administration

it will be important to restore as soon as possible telegraphic communication with neighbouring countries especially China, Indo-

China, Philippines, Borneo and Singapore.

3

The Government should retain the responsibility for direct

operation of the following services:-

4.

(a) Ship to shore; aeronautical; meteorological; and

hydrographic services;

(b) Transmission; reception and distribution of

broadcast news services;

(c) Radio-telephony;

(a) Television.

The Telecommunications authority should be prepared to

undertake such technical services for broadcasting as may be required.