CONFIDENTIAL
Kai Tak Runway
5. I note what you say about the imminent decision on this vexed question. Twice in recent weeks I have run across Tommy Thomson, the Director of Civil Aviation, and have had my ears seared off by his views on the delays to a decision on the extension of the runway He is coming to Europe for the Paris Aircraft Show, and for the Commonwealth Aviation Conference in London. He announces his intention of coming to see you and John Moreton around the end of May. He is, of course, entirely concerned with the technical difficulties caused by the present short runway. His nerves are getting a little frayed by the risks he imagines are being run. I am not technical in this subject myself but I can sympathise with him in these matters, as must anybody who has watched 707s taking off and landing through Kowloon. Thomson's history I believe, has given him a lot of experience in East Africa and he has the "settler" outlook which is often voiced here. He will undoubtedly put to you his inability to understand why Britain should give interest-free loans to black and backward members of the Commonwealth while neglecting a solid goldmine like Hong Kong.
The M.P.s
6.
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I got Chris Rounthwaite, my Information Officer, to drop a line to the Office about the near disaster of the visit here of Messrs. Walden and Jones. Hong Kong, and especially the Hong Kong press, gave them a tough time and there are still echoes in the correspondence columns. My impression is that they were given such a rough ride that Hong Kong and its press now has a slightly guilty conscience. We have been doing what we can to repair the damage on the lines that Hong Kong must make its choice between respecting sincere but misguided statements from visitors or, on the other hand, expecting only insincere flattery. The M.P. who is at present in town seems to be reaping the benefit.
The Press
7. I reported in my last letter the sudden disappearance of Kayser Sung from the F.E.E.R. This time I must chronicle the sudden dismissal of Tim Willis, the General Manager of the South China Morning Post. I learned from Tim that he was given the push by his fellow directors, and notably the Hong Kong Bank who hold a controlling interest, because he wanted to expand the paper's activities. Certainly since he took over from Terence Pierce about eighteen months ago the paper has branched out and has such things as a security press. Anyhow - in the manner of Hong Kong business
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