CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 113

OUTWARD TELEGRAM

F 1369/376/G

Cypher/OTP

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

110

No.129

FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO NANKING.

6th February, 1947. D: 3.45 p.m. 6th February 1947

(16)

CONFIDENTIAL

A A A A

(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's 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 to enable conclusion to be reached on this point. 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.

3. 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 Kong appointment is sufficiently important to justify priority being given to it over most existing or impending China vacancies,

4. We suggest for your consideration that Tihua might remain closed indefinitely (in which case we could probably arrange to pool information on Sinkiang with the Americans), thereby releasing Maclehose for other duties. We do not consider Maclehose suitable for Hong Kong appointment, but he could make a Grade VII officer such as Heathcote-Smith available for that purpose. Latter will not however be available till June and you would presumably need to give him, or any other officer selected for this appointment, a period of briefing in the Embassy prior to posting to Hong Kong.

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