CO129-604-5 Immigration- control over entry from China 4-3-1948 - 6-1-1949 — Page 27

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INWARD TELEGRAM

TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES

!! 27

Cypher (0.T.P.)

FROM HONG KONG (Sir A. Granthan)

D. 6th November, 198. R. 6th

13

08.30 hrs.

IMPORTANT

No. 1010 Secret.

Addrossed to S. of S.

Repeated by savingren to British Embassy, Nanking,

#

"

"British Consul General, Canton.

Question.

Your telegram No. 1105.

Following is suggested answer to Parliamentary

Begins.

Potentialities of illegal Communist activities have been constant source of anxiety to Hong Kong Government, which has not failed to take note of Communist methods in, Malaya and elsewhere.

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As a result of increase of Communist activities in the Far East, a series of precautionary measures have been taken to curb activities by Communist or other political organi- sations likely to cause violence in Hong Kong.

Among these measures is the Publie Order Ordinance passed by Legislative Council on 28th October, which gives the Government more drastio powers for maintaining public order in the event of political or other emergency and, in particular, to deal with organised bodies which may resort to violence. Deportation of Aliens Ordinance has also been amended to make it easier to expel certain undesirables and disturbers of the peace.

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A difficulty facing the Hong Kong Government hitherto has been the freedom of entry and exit from the Colony in practice, accorded to persons of Chinese race. Hong Kong Government has felt unable, in the present circumstances, to continue to allow uncontrolled entry and has therefore now instituted control over Chinese arriving from all countries other than China.

4.

Arrangements for close liaison with Malaya and Siam regarding movements of known or suspected Communists have been made. Similar liaison will shortly be arranged with other neighbouring Governments.

5.

Hong Kong Government has recently nipped in the bud attempts to recruit Communists for action in Malaya or elsewhere, and is considering whether those concerned should be prosecuted or deported. Deportation proceedings are in train in connection with several other cases where it was found that Communists were attempting to use Hong Kong as a base for activities directed against the Government of China.

16.