;
Copy: for
rétention
Dear Mr. Deakin,
Colonial üffice Fress Section,
The Church House,
Great Smith Street,
S.7.1.
June 3, 1948.
Anid. (2)
34
Following my telephone conversation yesterday with
your office, I am writing to confirm that there were two rather serious mis-statements in the article "Fressure upon Hưng Kong" which appeared in yesterday's issue of The Times.
The first was the statement that ever since the end of the war the question of the airport has been hanging fire. In fact, it was armounoed in the House of Commons on April 26 that "as a further expression of their willingness to assist Hong Kong, His Majesty's Government are prepared
to
make an interest-free loan to the Colony up to a maximum of £3,000,000 to supplement any funds available to Hong Kong for the construction of a modern airport of international standards......
The second mis-statement is that the lease of the island of Hong Kơng expires in 1997. You are no doubt aware that the island was, in fact, coded in perpetuity. The lease which expires in 1997 is, of course, that in respect of part of the territory on the mainland.
Finally, I should add that it is not in accordance with the facts to state that "The measure (the introd ction of an elected municipal council) was imposed against the wishes of the Colonial Government....
RALPH DEAKIN, ES.
Yours sincerely,
Helany Mr. Haler
(ANTONY JÁ. HALER,
Press Officer)
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