CO129-592-9 Future Policy in Hong Kong- Port Administration 13-1-1945 - 4-3-1946 — Page 164

9.E.J. Peut Eug

OUTWARD TELEGRAM Colonial Office.

copied M.CO.T

E.2739/425/93.

[CYPHER]

With the Compliments

of the

Under Socketary of State for Foreign Affairs

SECRET FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO BAGDAD

No. 225.

3rd May 1945.

7-MAY

164

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1.

D. 1.50 p.m. 4th May 1945.

Repeated to M.E. Min No. 64 Saving.

0:0:0:0

Your telegram No. 285 [of 15th April Basra Port Administra- tion].

While we consider it important that Colman should retain his appointment until Conservancy is accepted in principle we suggest that he should not be committed to a definite term of service after 1st January, 1946.

2. The Colonial Office are very anxious to obtain Colman's services as Chairman of a Hongkong Harbour Trust which it is pro- posed should be formed when Hongkong is liberated. Colman's qualifications and great experience of Port Trust work are such that he is the most suitable candidate for this important appoint- ment. There is considerable preparatory work to be undertaken and decisions which must be taken in the near future affecting the planning of the rehabilitation of the Colony as a whole.

3. The Colonial Office while appreciating the necessity for maintaining the "status quo" in the Basra Port Directorate until the conservancy issue is settled, would like to discuss their proposal with Mr. Colman, and if he is willing to accept the appointment they would wish to have the benefit of his advice while on leave this summer. It would therefore be helpful if Colman could pay a short visit to London within the next few weeks.

4. Please discuss very confidentially with Colman and let us know if he is interested in the Colonial Office proposal and would visit United Kingdom to discuss it.

5. Cost of Colman's passage would be on His Majesty's Government account.

O.T.P.

C. C. K