CO129-591-9 Policy directives 15-1-1945 - 15-1-1945 — Page 81

SECRET

HONG KONG

81

1.3

54132

First Draft

1.

CIVIL AFFAIRS POLICY DIRECTIVES

POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

Postal Services

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.

2.

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 systen

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

(b)

(0)

hydrographic services;

Transmission; reception and distribution of

broadcast news services;

Radio blegtosy";

Television.

The Telecommunications authority should be prepared to

undertake such technical services for broadcasting as may be required.