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SINI OF
NICE
Thank you for your minute of the 1st January.
I am quite satisfied with the naval disposition in
Hong kong, and em grateful that this has been made
possible. I accet the position with regard to the
flight of three Venous though I don't think that either
you or i regard it as adequate. The presence of the
Rɔyal Air Force in Hong Kong is a continuing requirement,
and when Perth agreed with Ceordio ward's proposal in
his minute of the 7th October, he pointed out that when
these Vonoms came to an end of their life we did not
expect the requirement for them to couse,
I am sorry but I cannot accept the position about
the artillery regiments. There are two main differences
between us - one of principle, and the other practical.
3. The requirement for a 3ritish garrison in Hong
Kong arises because of the possibility of Chinese
aggressiɔn. It is this that complicates and aggrandizes
the internal security problem since we have always to
face the possibility that internal disorder might lead
to physical intervention by China and might indoed have
been fomented by that country for that purpose.
defence of the colony is an external commitment which
the people of Hong Kong (and particul-ply the many
loyal Chinese) are entitled to look to H.M.G. to shoulder.
The
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