CO129-604-4 Immigration- control over entry from China 7-3-1947 - 5-11-1947 — Page 20

Pigst

INWARD TELEGRAM

الإمام صدفهه

AM

2033

Code

Orig. on 28241/17/47

FROM HONG KONG (Sir M. Young)

TO S. OF S.. COLONIES.

D. 10th March, 1947. R. 10th 11

18.20 hrs.

IMMEDIATE No. 429

(2)

Your telegram No. 397 of 8th March.

Estimated increase of population in 1946 is between 500,000 and 600,000. Estimated monthly rate of immigration in 1947 is 10,000, both estimates are very tentative.

2. Immigration Control Ordinance 1940 was introduced as defence measure and represented departure from

traditional policy of unrestricted Chinese inmigrants into Hong Kong.

る。 Control of Chinese immigration was theoretically enforced on re-occupation of Hong Kong until November 1945 when control was competent (?completely intended) relaxed in consequence of

(a) our complete inability to enforce it in

practice.

(b) fact that attempted control of 1940 had been introduced as emergency measure and the fact that Canton authorities resented control as contrary to custom and unfriendly, and pressed very strongly for relaxation (see in this connection Chief Civil Affairs Officer's

telegram DTG 150914 No. 494 from Civil Affairs).

4. Above three reasons against attempting to control Chinese immigration into Hong Kong still hold good.

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