CO129-627-1 Economic and social survey- new territories 1-2-1950 - 31-7-1951 — Page 36

Sec. 1/3181/47

My dear Paskin,

(1) on 54236/2/50

36

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG,

13TH February, 1950.

In my letter 8/2576/49 of 2nd February

I mentioned that I would be writing to you shortly

on the subject of our proposed Economic and Social Survey of the New Territories.

2.

During his recent visit to Hong Kong, Surridge had some most useful things to say on this subject and pointed out that the Survey was an essential preliminary to the establishment of co-operative societies. I enclose the relevant extract from the letter he wrote to me at the conclusion of his stay here.

3.

My present view is that this Survey should be carried out by local investigators and not by experts brought to Hong Kong for the purpose. I think we have several people who will prove to be satisfactory for work of this kind. You will appreciate, however, that there are good reasons why a Survey, if it is to be carried out at all, must be done on the right lines technically, which is an argument in favour of the outside expert, but at the same time must not upset the villagers as this might have serious political repercussions. This is an argument in favour of the local investigators doing the job.

4.

Barrow, the District Commissioner New Territories, will be leaving shortly on home leave. While he is in Singapore he will discuss the Survey with Dr. Benham and I would be glad if, when Barrow is in London, you could arrange for a discussion to take place with Surridge and Nicoll. I suggest also that it might be useful to consult Professor Raymond Firth of the London School of Economics at some stage in the proceedings. If it is possible in this way to obtain guidance on various points which are at present worrying us, it should, I think, be our aim to launch the Survey in the late autumn of this year.

5.

We would propose to apply for a grant for the Survey from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund.

Yours ever,

Mhanam.

J.J. Paskin Esq., C.M.G., M.C.,

Colonial Office,

LONDON.

Encl: (1)