CO129-611-2 Liaison with British Embassy and consulates in China- appointment of political advisor 1-9-1945 - 20-10-1947 — Page 22

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that while, when the post of Political Adviser is permanently established it should come within the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, he considers that in the meanwhile the Foreign service officer appointed to it should be independent of the secretary for Chinese Affairs and responsible directly to the Governor. Mr. North felt strongly that in these circumstances the Chinese in Hong Kong would go direct to the Political Adviser who had the ear of the Governor and would short-circuit the Secretary for Chinese Affairs whose office would inevitably suffer a decline (He himself though there was a case for appointing the new adviser to the post of Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

I think this aspect should be considered and that we ought perhaps to put it to the Governor.

It was discussed in our outward despatch at 11, (see particularly paragraphs 3 and 4) and the view we inclined to was that the secretary for Chinese Affairs should have two officers under him, one specializing in internal and the other in external Chinese affairs, the latter being a seconded Foreign service officer. The extent to which the secretariat for Chinese Affairs is inevitably concerned with external matters is indicated on page 2 of the Governor's despatch at 16. Much will, of course, depend on the personality of the officer to be appointed adviser and his ability to work in close relations with the S.U.A. This is an added reason for getting a really good man.

28. Copy of minites.

A

25.2.47.

29. Copies of papers registered on

Appointments fill relating to

30.

application of GW. Harmon to

be consianed for post of Political Adviser. F.O. (Tel. No. 169 from Lanking) 18:2.4).

28 relates to Mr. Duncan Smith who has been suggested for the post of rolitical adviser. He is a temporary Principal in the Fire Department of the Home office and his experience of the Far East derives from five months as army Education Officer in Hong Kong after the liberation. The Governor in paragraph 8 of 16 strongly deprecates the appointment of any "outside expert". The papers about Mr. Smith are registered on an appointments file and he has been suggested as a possible candidate for the post of P.R.O.

29 relates to another applicant for the post of Political adviser. Lir. Harmon, who was employed from 1940 by one of our secret organizations in Chungking was strongly recommended by Sir H. Seymour and General Carton de Wiart. He is a much

/stronger