CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE CANBERRA
20
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
TELEGRAM NUMBER 686
15 JULY 1969
CONFIDENTIAL
ADDRESSED TO FCO TEL 636 OF 15 JULY RFI WELLINGTON AND
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR HONG KONG.
YOUR TEL 439 TO KUALA LUMPUR
IMMIGRATION OF COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS TO HONG KONG
APPARENT INTENTION TO EXEMPT U.K. BELONGERS FROM CONTROL
IF THIS POLICY IS
DISCRIMINATES BETWEEN THEM AND AUSTRALIANS.
CARRIED OUT, THERE IS LIKELY TO BE INDIGNATION HERE AND IT WILL BE
DIFFICULT TO PERSUADE PUBLIC OPINION THAT POLICY IS ENTIRELY
ATTRIBUTABLE TO HONG KONG EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND NOT TO BRITISH
GOVERNMENT.
ON TOP OF EXISTING RESENTMENT OF BRITISH IMMIGRATION
CONTROLS A BAD IMPRESSION COULD BE CREATED.
2. I HOPE THEREFORE THAT FULL WEIGHT CAN BE GIVEN TO THIS ASPECT
OF PROPOSED CONTROLS AND THAT IN ADDITION I SHOULD BE AUTHORISED TO
ADVISE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY THAT CONTROLS ARE
ENVISAGED, EVEN IF THEIR EXACT FORM IS STILL IMPRECISE.
FCO PASS PRIORITY PERSONAL TO GOV HONG KONG.
MR. DUNCAN
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION S.W.P.D.
MIG. & VISA DEPT. F.E.D.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51
23 JUL 1969
HKK 18/27
DVANCE COPIES SENT.
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
H.K.D.
LAST
S.ASIAN DEPT.
RIF
W.EUR. DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
E F
28
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