TNAG-0071-FCO40-107-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-propaganda-1969 — Page 70

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

powerful and unfriendly neighbour, public

confidence there in its continuing existence

is vital; but that confidence is inevitably

a somewhat delicate plant. It depends

substantially on the knowledge that we in this

country will support and sustain the Colony.

I and my ministerial colleagues have been at

pains in recent months to stress that we do

stand behind it. It does not help that from

this country there has issued from the press

mass

and other Communication media a steady volume

of ill-informed critical comment and mis-

representation of events and conditions in the

Colony which is interpreted locally as evidence,

not merely of a lack of sympathy or under-

standing here, but of a lack of support. I

have heard it said in Hong Kong that they wonder

sometimes who and where their enemies are!

I have mentioned that others share my

views. Indeed, I understand that certain of

your officials have recently had a meeting with

members of the Committee of the Hong Kong

Association at which the latter made representa-

tions on this same subject.

I trust that the combined effect of the

Governor's letter, the representations referred

to above and this letter, will serve to convince

you that the B.B.C's. reporting on events in

Hong Kong over the past few months has been

considerably less than fair and objective and

leaves plenty of room for improvement.

I am sending a copy of this letter to

Sir David Trench, and I shall be grateful if I

may be sent a copy

your reply to his letter: