CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 108

F 1569/376/G

Cypher/OTP

lo.129

FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO LARKIG.

105

6th February, 1947.

D: 3.45 p.m. 6th February 1947

(16)

CONFID LATAL

AAAA

(24) Your telegram No.104 [of January 31st).

[Political Liaison Officer, Hong Kong].

Colonial Office consider, and we are inclined to agree, that consideration of recommendation summarized in sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph II of Governor' despatch should be deferred for a year after appointment of Foreign Service Officer, if latter is available, by which time sufficient working experience will have been gained te enable conclusion to be reached on this peint. I should be glad to receive your views.

2. Recent difficulties arising out of peanut vendor and border shooting incidents suggest importance from political point of view of filling this appointment as soon as possible. Colonial Secretary stated recently in House of Commons that action to give effect to proposed appointment of a political adviser with China experience was in hand.

5. As you are aware, personnel position is already being strained to the utmost for the purpose of filling China vacancies, and a Foreign Service officer could only be made available for Hong Kong by depriving you of a China appointee. We feel, however, that Hong Long appointment is sufficiently important to justify priority being given te it ever nest existing or impending China vacancies,

4. ... suggest for your consideration that Tihua might remain closed indefinitely (in which case we could probably arrange to peel inferation en Sinklang with che Americans), thereby releasing Paclehuse for other duties. e do not consider Maclehese suitable for Hong Keng appointment, but he could make a Grade VII officer such as Heathcete-mith available for that purpose. Latter will not however be available till June and you would presumably need to give hin, er any other officer selected for this appointment, a peried of briefing in the Jabassy prier to pesting te Hong Kong.

5. Please telegraph your observations, and any alternative suggestions you may have for filling this post,