CO129-592-3 Reports on current situation- legal 7-9-1945 - 7-11-1945 — Page 15

15

TO

PROCLAMATION TO CLOSE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, PROCLAIM A MORATORIUM AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN DEAL-

INUS IN LAND.

1.

2.

3.

6.

LEGAL ADVISOR'S KEFORT.

I forward the above-mentioned Proclamation for the approval and signature of the Commander- in-Chief.

The Proclamation is necessary in order to give effect to the fiscal guide issued in London by 15 at the War Office.

The Proclamation is based on the draft approved for Malaya which was handed to me by 15 and was discussed with the War Office and a copy sent to the Colonial Office, which was asked to comment. No comments were received.

The subject has been discussed with the Chief Civil Affairs Officer who has approved the Proclamation, agreed to the closing of the banks, and authority has been given to them to re-open for the sole purposes of conducting business mentioned in Article 3(a) of the Proclamation and distribution of the new currency.

·

The Froclamation should do a great deal towards relieving the pressure of civil business in the Courts but it should be borne in mind that the constitution of Courts authorised to deal with civil matters camot be postponed indefinitely.

I certify that the Proclamation is a proper measure to be enacted in the Colony.

13th September, 1945

G.G.G.

Colonel, 0.A.

Legal Branch