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F10623

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233

Если

Colonial Office,

50640/1/41.

Downing Street,

11 OCT 1941 2

10 October, 1941.

3.10.41.

Dear Sterndale Bennett,

I enclose a copy of a further telegram which we have received from the Governor of Hong Kong relating to the operation of the Immigration Control Ordinance. Earlier telegrams on the same subject have already been sent to you.

You will see that the Governor has already, in conjunction with the General Officer Commanding, taken certain steps to comply with the views of the Chiefs of Staff, as set out in his telegram No. 1101 in order to tighten up the administration of the Frors Ordinance with the object of reducing the surplus population in Hong Kong island. In our view, the military aspects of the problem which lie behind this decision must take precedence at present over all other considerations, and we accordingly propose to approve the steps which the Governor is taking, while at the same time to ask for a report on the position after these measures have had time to bear practical results.

We recognise also, of course, that political aspects remain of great importance. In this connection, you will see from the enclosed telegram that no alteration is intended in the facilities granted to merchants passing in and out of the Colony. We propose on this to remind the Governor of the necessity for administering the Ordinance in a considerate and sympathetic manner, and in particular to instruct him that any facilities attendant on the entry of such merchants, and on that of important Chinese visitors and holders of Chinese passports generally, should be carried out as expeditiously and courteously as possible.

J. C. STERNDALE BENNETT, ESQ., C.M.G., M.C.,

Before

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