CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 133

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to family and social matters. In general he came to be looked

to for advice by the Chinese, who tended to make their councils,

their charitable activities and their voluntary work in the

public service largely dependent on his leadership. This

aspect of his work assumed greater importance after his original

functions as Registrar-General had been dispersed through other

departments of Government in the course of time. He became

concerned with external affairs in China to the extent to which,

either by their repercussions or through the actual inter-

ference of individuals, they had an effect on the peace and

good order of the Chinese in Hong Kong; and he became concerned

with Chinese affairs in other countries, particularly those of

the British Empire, to the extent to which Chinese migrated to

those countries from or through Hong Kong, and kept up communi-

cations subsequently with their homeland through Hong Kong.

Control of the Chinese press and Chinese publications generally

in the Colony and of labour guilds and associations of all

kinds further meant that he had to keep in touch with the

political situation in China, especially in the neighbouring

province of Kwangtung, in order to check any undesirable

influences which might be spread through the agency of such

publications, or which might inspire the conduct of such

associations. The Secretary for Chinese Affairs thus tended

to become the champion of the local Chinese against harmful

influences from abroad and the guardian of the peaceable local

inhabitant against interference from China. Thus it would be

by no means accurate to say that the Secretary for Chinese

Affairs has hitherto been solely concerned with local affairs,

since he has at all times required a considerable knowledge of

what is happening in China and its bearing on the situation in

Hong Kong, in order to be able to perform his duties in the

interest of the Hong Kong Chinese and the peace and good order

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