TNAG-0984-FCO40-1203-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 25

officers to do so. The added burden on these agencies

will be great, and I again appeal to the public to

realise the problems of these agencies and to help them

in their duty at whatever cost to their own convenience.

I appeal particularly to employers voluntarily and firmly.

to enforce this new policy and refuse employment to

illegal immigrants. By doing so they can win this battle

and confer a great benefit on the whole community.

I spoke

earlier of the dangers of this policy if it failed, and

the immigrants continued to come, and an illegal community

built up outside the law. But this will not happen to

any significant extent provided we all act with sufficient

unity and resolution to, leave no loopholes for sanctuary

or employment and thus deter immigrants from coming.

cannot be achieved by the enforcement agencies alone,

though they will do everything they can.

This

Since they may be heavily stretched in the days ahead, I have signed

an order mobilising the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) as from

2 p.m. tomorrow. The Government will do everything it can, but success

can only be achieved by united action by the community as a whole.

I now leave it to the Chief Secretary to explain the details of

the legislation proposed.