Registration Copy
on 54389/48.
501
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES
Cypher (0.7.P.}
FROM HONG KONG (512 2. Granthem)
D. 6th November, 1948. R. 6th
if 08.30 hrs.
IMPORTANT
No. 1010 Secret.
Addressed to S. of S.
Repeated by savingram to British Embassy, Nanking.
"British Consul General, Canton,
Question.
Your telegram No. 1105.
Following is suggested answer to Parliamentary
Begins.
Potentialities of illegal Communist activities have been constant source of anxiety to Hong Kong Government, which has not failed to take note of Communist methods in Malaya and elsewhere.
2.
As a result of increase of Communist activities in the Far East, a series of precautionary measures have been taken to curb activities by Communist or other political organi- sations likely to cause violence in Hong Kong.
Among these measures is the Public Order Ordinance passed by.Legislative Council on 28th October, which gives the Government more drastic powers for maintaining public order in the event of political or other emergency and, in particular, to deal with organised bodies which may resort to violence. Deportation of Aliens Ordinance has also been amended to make it easier to expel certain undesirables and disturbers of the peace.
3.
A difficulty facing the Hong Kong Government hitherto has been the freedom of entry and exit from the Colony in practice, accorded to persons of Chinese race. Hong Kong Government has felt unable, in the present circumstances, to continue to allow uncontrolled entry and has therefore now instituted control over Chinese arriving from all countries other than China.
L.
Arrangements for close liaison with Malaya and Siam regarding movements of known or suspected Communists have been made. Similar liaison will shortly be arranged with other neighbouring Governments.
5.
Hong Kong Government has recently nipped in the bud attempts to recruit Communists for action in Malaya or elsewhere, and is considering whether those concerned should be prosecuted or deported. Deportation proceedings are in train in connection with several other cases where it was found that Communists were attempting to use Hong Kong as a base for activities directed against the Government of China.
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JEY
6.
Chief of Police in Hong Kong has held consultations with Chief of Police for Kwangtung Province and it is proposed to hold shortly a joint meeting with Chief of Macao Police to discuss cooperation on security matters.
7.
Prosecution in connection with clandestine printing and distribution of Communist literature hostile to the Chinese Government is being launched, since in previous cases warning failed to produce results. Ends.
8.
I suggest you may care to (?approach omitted) Mr. Fitzroy McLean privately - my top secret despatch No. 40 or 6th September about present political situation in Hong Kong, in order that he may realise that there are other factors in the situation here besides Communism.
age 10
age 10Page 11
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