FO371-24688 — Page 110

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63614/40

INDEXED

Colonial Office Reference No.

5-361

With the compliments of the U.S. of

Date

2/7/460

Reference

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9glonist Office 3 UL

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Military Sachi No 315 myho still wo ademy

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YPHER TELEGRAM from the Secretary of State for the Colonies

to the Governor of Hong Kong.

Sent 8.55 p.m. on 1st July 1940

IMMEDIATE

No. 326 Secret.

Enter | F

F 3547

3 JULY

In view of the recent developments in the international situation in the Far East His Majesty's Government have decided that the administration of the Colony should be placed for the time being in the hands of a military officer of high rank and have selected Mejor-General E. F. Norton C.B., D. S.0., M.C., at present commanding the Western District in India for this appointment. A ́dormant commission has been submitted to His Majesty to empower him to administer the Government of Hong Kong in the absence etc. of the Governor. Commission has been signed under date 30th June and General Norton will be thus authorised on arrival in the Colony to assume the administration of the government. He will be given the temporary rank of Lieutenant-General while so doing. He will travel from India to Hong Kong by air.

The commission will be sent to Hong Kong by mail.

I am sure that you will appreciate especial circumstances which have led to this decision and I know for my part that General Norton will find himself fortunate in having available to him your own very great experience of Hong Kong political and administrative affairs to guide him in the emergency in which he has been called upon to take up the appointment.

General Norton's salary while administering the government will be met from Hong Kong funds and I suggest, subject to your concurrence, that he should draw pay equivalent to half salary of the Colonial Secretary plus half salary of the Governor, plus the Governor's entertainment and servant allowances, making a total of £6,136 (per annum) approximately in all,

I will telegraph later regarding publication of

appointmen“.

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