En Clair
PRIORITY KUALA LUMPUR TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 624
20 May, 1968
RECLIVE ARCHIVES
20 MAY 1968
HWD 2/7
10
UNCLASSIFIED
Addressed to Peking telegram No. 1 of 20 May. Repeated for information to:
G
Hong Kong
C.O.
Peking telegram No. 321 to Hong Kong (No. 446 to F.0.).
Fullest text available here is as follows from Straits Times of 18 May.
Begins:
An effective British garrison will be maintained in Hong Kong "whatever happens in Singapore" Hong Kong's Governor
Sir David Trench said here today. Sir David made a brief stop over at Subang Air Port after three weeks routine consultation talks with officials in London on defence and devaluation of sterling.
"I met the Foreign Secretary Mr. Michael Stewart and the Commonwealth Secretary Mr. George Thomson, and we discussed the implications of the rundown of British troops in Singapore" he said.
"It has been decided that an effective garrison will be
maintained in Hong Kong whatever happens in Singapore".
Speaking on the possible date when the colony would achieve independence, Sir David said it would not be for a long time due to China's present difficult mood.
He also met British Treasury officials to discuss the after effects of sterling devaluation on the Hong Kong dollar.
"Hong Kong's economy however is better than before because our exports went up by 22 per cent in the first three months of this year and our growth rate increased by 16 point 9 per cent.
"There has been no loss of confidence in Hong Kong among the business community in spite of last year's riots in fact the world knows more about the colonv than it used to do and the people are admired for their stand against the Communists.
"The people are fed up with the Communists though they are still creating trouble with all sorts of propaganda moves like complaining against the salinity of the water".
Ends.
Sir M. Walker
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION C.O. Hong Kong Dept.
Defence Dept. F.E. and P.D. C.F.P.D. C.T.D.
Research Dept. I.P.D. Guidance Dept. News Dept.
F.O. F.E.D.
S.E.A.D. Defence Dept. E.R.D.
A
LART
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