HKK 6/548/3
Hong Kong Department
41
19 March, 1969
Thank you for letting me know in your letter of 11 March that you had been appointed to replace Michael Hannam next August. You were my first informant, although I do not doubt that I shall be told officially before so long.
2. I can well believe that you will find this first posting to a British territory overseas (particularly a dependent territory) quite different from anything you have previously experienced. Even among Colonies, Hong Kong and her problems are very much sui generis.
3. It is quite true that this Department is now treated as the parent of the Trade Commission in Hong Kong and when we meet in May I will do my best to explain the sort of relationship which is still developing between Michael Hannam and myself. I will not attempt to define this relationship in writing partly because I should have to go to some length in the process, and partly because it is, as I have indicated, still developing. In the past Michael Hannam has had some grounds for thinking that he was rather isolated and occasionally out of the picture: it is undoubtedly from this that your belief stems that the job is "rather out on a limb".
However, I hope that we are doing something to correct this state of affairs.
4. My own knowledge of Hong Kong is of course derived from departmental dealings and occasional visits and I cannot pretend that even after seven years acquaintance I have really caught the atmosphere of the place. But I am nonetheless sure that you will find this an interesting and challenging assignment.
5. I shall look forward to a visit from you in May when we can take much further in discussion the matters on which I have briefly touched here.
J. K. Blackwell, Esq., CBE., H.M. Consul-General, 60, Boulevard de la Liberté, LILLE, Nord, France.
(w. S. Carter)
189
J
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