TNAG-0052-FCO40-88-Communist-activities-in-schools-1968 — Page 73

C.

D.

To "deregister" school, staff and

management, but accede to any

communist application to open a school

in the present building under a new

name, staff and management.

To "deregister" school, not permitting

any further educational activity in

the premises.

Views of the Governor in Hong Kong

8.

telegrams Nos. 765 and 831) action to

In the opinion of the Governor (Hong Kong)

Flags A B

ન

deregister the school should be taken, now, OA

the lines of course-D. We suggested considera-

tion of course B (C.O. telegram No. 1203), but

the Governor was unable to accept the reopening

of the institution under the same (highly

emotive and significant) name. He has

considered course C, but on balance he would

it

prefer not to adopt such a course (although he

ん

would be prepared to consider it again if

necessary). He clearly prefers Course D.

9. The Governor recognises that since it is

some eight months ago that the school was

closed deregistration may now appear a

provocative act in the eyes of the communists;

they would, in any event, claim it as such

whether or not they felt strongly about it.

But he holds firmly to the view that to allow

the school to reopen would have a very adverse

effect on public morale in the Colony and that

public opinion (which widely and strongly

favours the maintenance of firm control over

communist activities) would interpret such a

decision as a sign of weakness on the part of

the Government. He considers that if, in the

light of the events described in paragraph 4

Flag C

/ above

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