1.76
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY FOR REGISTRATION
CANBERRA TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno. 862 29 May 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
1608
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 862 of 29 May Repeated for information to Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Your telegram No. 1158. Australian Government and Visits to Hong Kong.
I spoke accordingly to-day to Secretary of Department of External Affairs.
2.
Plimsoll admitted that instructions had been sent to Bangkok and some of other Australian posts in the area to answer enquiries from businessmen and tourists by saying that it would be unwise for them to go to Hong Kong. This instruction had been based on the fact that at the time (22 May) it seemed unwise, and undesirable from the point of view of the Hong kong authorities themselves, to encourage Australian visitors to Hong Kong. I suspect that Australian Government also had in mind the responsibility that would attach to Australian Ambassadors if they appear to have been complacent in giving advice to Australian nationals.
3. Plimsoll agreed that in present circumstances there was no reason why Australian posts should continue giving advice in that sense. He said he would look at the question again and I gathered that he would send instructions bringing Australian advice into line with our own.
Commonwealth Office pass Priority Hong Kong 50 and Bangkok 15.
Sir C. Johnston
Sent 08292/29 May Received 08462/29 May
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
C.O. F.E. & P.D.
D.T.D.
F.O. F.E.D.
S.E.A.D.
D.S.A.0. Consular Dept.
водо
LAST
RE.
168
NEXT
REF.
182
PREFF TO HONG KONG AS COMMÖRKED FENTOFLICE (D.T.D.)
TELEGRAM NO. 1074
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 62 31 MAY 1967
HWil
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