Colonial Office,
The Church House,
23
4
Great Smith Street,
London, S.W.1.
14th March, 1949.
X
54126/5/49
pay dean paultram
As you know from Lloyd's personal telegram (No. 182 Confidential of 12th February), it was unfortunately not possible for Bourdillon to be spared for even a short visit to Hong Kong. The necessity for finding an early solution to the various financial problems in the Federa- tion of Malaya has become so urgent that it was con- sidered to be essential that Bourdillon should return home to report the outcome of his visit at the earliest possible date. I am, therefore, writing about the various matters which were raised with Paskin at his meeting with the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils on the 14th January.
2.
As Faskin told you, the general criticism which the Unofficials expressed to raskin was that reference home for decisions, particularly on financial matters, was in many cases unnecessary and often resulted in delay. The particular matters mentioned were the Jalaries Commission Report, cost of living allowance, local bans and the Currency Fund.
3. «e here appreciate that "Treasury control" is irksome and sometimes leads to a certain amount of delay in reaching decisions. The control was, however, necessitated by the financial assistance given by His Majesty's Government which is referred to in the financial settlement and to the uncertainty whether the Colony was likely to need any further
SIR ALEXANDER GRANTHAM, K.C.M.G.
/ assistance.
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