of life in Hong Kong"?
I must stress the point that the Governor made in
the penultimate paragraph of his letter about how much
there is at stake in Hong Kong at the present time.
Situated as the Colony is on the borders of China, a
powerful and unfriendly neighbour, the Colony's
ing
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
confidence in its own continue existence is vital, but because of the
Colony's
that confidence is inevitably a somewhat delicate plant.
It depends substantially on the knowledge that we in
this country will support and sustain the Colony. I
and my Ministerial colleagues have been at pains in
will recent
months to stress that H.M. Government do just
Λ
this. It does not help that from this country there
has issued from the press and other mass communication
media, a steady volume of ill-informed critical comment
and misrepresentation of events and conditions in the
Colony which is interpreted locally as evidence, not
merely of a lack of sympathy or understanding here,
but of a lack of support, I have heard it said in
Hong Kong that they sometimes wonder who and where
their enemies are!
of the Colony's exposed
position
/I have
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NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Dd. 32855 Ed (4200)
I have mentioned that others share my views.
Indeed, I understand that certain of your officials
have recently had a meeting with members of the Committee of the Hong
Kong Association at which the latter
made representations of this very subject. I trust that
the combined effect of the Governor's letter, the
representations referred to above and this letter will
serve to convince you that the B.B.C's. reporting on
events in Hong Kong over the past few months has been
considerably less than fair and objective and leaves
plenty of room for improvement.
I am sending a copy of this letter to
Sir David Trench.
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EJ (1626)
LAST
REF
+
85
Reference.....
Mr. Carter
Sir Arthur Galsworthy discussed this with the Minister of State this
morning. It was agreed that the proposed letter should not issue, on the
grounds that it might be counter productive at this stage, but that Lord
Shepherd should (if the opportunity should arise) try and raise this
matter with Lord Hill next time they meet in the Lords.
2. In the circumstances I think these papers can be put by.
вони
(C. H. Godden) 15 March, 1968
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HWB 13/22
19 March, 1968.
86
Se
60
We have followed with sympathy the exchange of letters between yourself
and Lord Hill concerning the B.B.C's television programme on 9 January
about Hong Kong.
We fully share your views about the programme and were about to put up
to Lord Shepherd, for his signature, a letter to Lord Hill in support of
your views when a copy of the latter's reply to you was received. This
we regard as a quite unhelpful and inadequate effort to answer your
points; to our mind it was obviously the work of the B.B.C. officials.
After discussion between the Minister and Arthur Galsworthy it was
decided that since a letter from the Minister might meet the same fate
it would be better for him not to write to Lord Hill but to put his
views over in person at an early opportunity. Accordingly it has been
decided that Lord Shepherd should try and raise this matter directly
with Lord Hill next time they meet in the House of Lords,
I thought you would like to know this in case you had any doubts that,
because of our silence, Ministers were not prepared to back you in your
criticisms of the B.B.C's handling of Hong Kong.
да
ہو
25, 3,68.
SIR DAVID TRENCH, K.C.M.G., M.C.
(H.P. Hall)
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W(B)L, 51-74 33
Registry No.
DRAFT
LETTER
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret, Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
..In Confidence
H.E. Sir David Trench,
KCMG., MC.,
Government House,
Victoria.
Type 1 +
From
Mr. H. Hall
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
86.
NOTHING TO BE Written in THIS MARGIN
19/3
Mr. Hara
f/s
In deianssiasi of The demon recorded in No. Godden's minute of 15th
March, We agreed that it hd. be deniable to write to the Caernar Draft
submitted
b.s. Carte
18/3/65
Views
N.?. #
M.2
We
We have followed with sympathy the exchange of letters between yourself
and Lord Hill concerning the B.B.C's. television programme on 9 January
about Hong Kong fully share your strictures about the programne and were
about to put up to Lord Shepherd, for his signature, a letter to Lord
Hill in support of your views when a copy of the latter's
to you
This we
Lord Hill's reply, was received.
regard as a quite unhelpful and inadequate effort to answer your points;
to our mind it was obviously the work of the B.B.C. officials. After
discussion between the Minister and Arthur Galsworthy it was decided
Since a letter fromm that in case, the Minister letter might meet the
same fate it might be better for him not to write to Lord Hill but to
put his views over in person at an early opportunity. Accordingly it has
been decided that Lord Shepherd should try and raise this matter
directly with Lord Hill next time they meet in
the House of Lords.
I thought you would like to know this in case you had any doubts that,
because of their silence, Ministers were not prepared to back you in
your criticisms of the B.B.C's. handling of Hong Kong. affairs.
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K2.318
My Carter
T
The was addund "Personal" to Su A folumit
of I have operant
it in his strecen.
With the Compliment 507 the file
His Excellency the Governor
Has the returned
reture's yet? 14615.3.63
upy
22/3
87
of
A.. Gampaic
This has crossed Monstall's
letter for
2571/
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87/2/
J/०
8th March 1968.
$75
Thank you for the courtesy of your
letter of 26th February in reply to my letter of 8th February. I am
grateful to you for your response, I although I would be less than
honest with you if I
did not make it clear that I feel it evades the main points I raised in
my letter.
However, while re-iterating that I do not feel disposed to
modify the views expressed in my letter in any way (nor indeed can I
subscribe whole-heartedly to the view that the BBC has assisted the
people of Britain to understand the problems and achievements of Hong
Kong much better than before) nevertheless I am content to let the whole
matter rest now that I have brought it to your attention: and I shall
continue to do my best to see that the BBC gets all reasonable
co-operation here.
BEC. TRENC
Lord Hill of Luton, Chairman, BBC
Broadcasting House, London, W.1.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHA PRMA 13 25 MARIO
HWAP/L
PA
c.c.: Sir Arthur, Galsworthy (with copy of Lord Hill's
letter)
Hon. C.S.
D.I.S.
AG
26,3,68
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87
DBC
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
PO BOX 1AA BROADCASTING HOUSE LONDON W1 -
TELEPHONE 01.560 4468 TELEGRAMS BROADCASTS LONDON TELEX
CABLES BROADCASTS LONDON-W1 TELEX 22182
26th February 1968
'
Dearker Davad,
I apologise investipation
Thank you very much for your letter of 3th Feuruerg for the delo in
replying, but 1 have had a very cure mado into une cire cutenees of the
iton, bransmitted on the 9th January in "24 Hours", of which you wrote.
Let me start or thanking you for your saistance to the EBC
since you have beau Joverno
In the last few years, 23 you know, the BBC Indeed I think it can be
said to us larely through television that uns people of this countrmer,
tak sne moblems and achievements of nong Rong much better tuan before.
Je nave all been given a vivid ilen of your situation and the
complexities of life in Hon, Kong.
has given a Teki deal of attention to hong hone.
LI
÷
arry therefore that you have felt that there has been cane on this
concic to take exception to this item. On the whole
shout the ac.. levements of Hong Kong in 1967 1965 M upoľal and qutimin
nie. The item ended with
I am
it ..
t.
und
Davies
r
7
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1
in i. gr
TOM
.
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we've come through
w.ken serinette any our "cononic co-operation
1 elsensing te une route or hong kong,
o.. aletre, ma nuring the
13
i
sation with long fol.
. name is
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i want Le
and so this
ave for une future.
er of the Monkey
{Cont'd.)
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Dir David Trench, K.Û.M.G., M..
Pettifer said:
2
26th February 1968
"But now outwardly at least, Hong Kong is peaceful.
And not only peaceful but prosperous. Business, except in the stores run
by the Communists, has set new records. Just to see the way people are
dressed and the goods they are buying is to realise that despite its
troubles, the Colony's economic miracle has continued almost unchecked."
I'm sorry you feel that your time was wasted.
Your
contributi d to the film, although short, was essential and cogent.
I
think I must point out that there was no transposition in the extract
from your inte view. It has been verified that the question is the
original recorded on the spot.
The only critical note in the piece was about the labour conditions in
segments of industry, and this is, as you know, an area of social
legislation which has been criticized elsewhere.
It seems that Fettifer was not at his best on this occasion. But
I hope that on reflection you may think that the BBC does not deserve
the full rigour of your criticisms. wrote to me about your misgivings.
In any event I am glad that you We shall bear them in mind.
Sir David Trench, A....ů., d.........,
Government lionse,
Long Kong.
mis sincenly
Hilly Luton
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ogional Information Office. 501 Ridler Hause,
2 Upper Albert Ho ad,
HON, KON.
28 March, 1968.
$8
B.B.C. Coverage of Hong Kong
You may already know that from the overnor downwards, Hong Kong
Government has for some time haen extremely ritated by the 9.6.0. radio
and talavision COVETAPs of
repurtine
ก
of
Korg affairs. This stems from the *e disorders last summer and it
recently culminated in personal representation from th O Terno r to Lord
H↑ 11.
idence as
to
I have tried to obtain som
the grounds for these complaints but have been unable to discover
anything specific apart from the fact that viulent excepti 。
taven to the B.B.C. '24 Hours
ProgramDO E on lione
Vong white MAN tv vised a fow months
It is all largely w over-sensitivity on the part of people here and a
typical Tack of understanding that correspondents write what they see
т
י:
d r..
ago
►
CASO
t what they are told to write by those on thì ko t
•
▸
1 A concerned that if this attitude persists
Government officials and others it will save fect of alienating n. 2
DOPPAS Pendants and thu vtters Vorse. I
think it would be worthwhile if, when eat meat Hugh House, you could
rently put it to him le here are very much concerned to publicise the
•
1 争议
and economic viability of
ti
to what is said about the place,
and are
that
but
they don't!
wilson Esq.,
f. rmation
tverwalk House
TILAUK,
3.1.
arch Department,
JCCHAT
Ashworth)
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Miss Stowe J.I.F.G.D.
Copy to Mr. Gaminara
SECRET
Hong Kong and West Indies Dept. Commonwealth Office.
with!
88
We spoke today about the relations between the B.B.C. and the Hong Kong
government, referred to in this letter from Mr. Ashworth. I had heard
rumblings off stage about the dissatisfaction of the Hong Kong
government about certain B.B.C. programmes which he confirms. Hugh Howse
of the Far Eastern Service had also told me that he had attended a lunch
recently given by lr. John Keswick with representatives from other
B.B.0. services to discuss the corporations's coverage of events in Hong
Kong which I presume arose out of the Governor's representations to Lord
Hill.
2.
I think you will agree from what we have seon and heard of the handling
of foreign correspondents in Hong Kong that Mr. Ashworth's criticisms
are probably justified.
The Hong Kong
government has shown itself to be over-sensitive about the criticisms of
the syston in Hong Kong and slightly naive about the function of a
journalist, believing that he ought to write what he is told and not
what he sees.
3. I do not think that the Far Eastern Service is at fæilt here, it is
T.V. and Home Sefvices which have annoyed the Hong Kong government. If
you think an approach should be made to the B.B.C. it might be better to
do it through your contacts with the latter's services rather than with
Hugh Howse. My own feeling is that the lunch given by Mr. Keswick is
probably sufficient, but Mr. Gaminara to whom I am sending a copy of my
minute, may know more about the results of this lunch.
HWA 13/22
(C. Wilson) 4 April, 1968.
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Ed (4206)
|
|
|
Reference
Thank
with (88)
Mu
Hu Wish
Vey (186) The 18/16
We spoke about (88): I am afraid I do
проже
not share My Ashworth's views on
this
matter. Hong Kong's viry existence depends on the maintenance of
external confonce in
It is naturally sumsition about
the Colary.
Irzfart
ماری
conditions & counts live. But
it could not object to objective reporting.
will find all the papers.
2. You relevent (except
83
D
tim's file
I do not
action suggested. think that the by 14°
Ashworth at 1x of & would savor any
juseful purpose and in any went I do
with the line that he suggesti
that a goue phased be taken.
2. Miss Stowe may wish to see.
MIG
ریار کی
68.
At Miss Stowe
Miss Stone J. P. G.D. Прева
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6/89
FLEET STREET LETTER
72,FLEET STREET, LONDON, EC4. PHONE: FLE 7571 CABLES: FLEETEST, LONDON,
EC4.
The Walon Meas Puis My gurled
ار
4th April 1908 FSL 1070
HOME AFFAIRS
New Plot
Mr. Wilson reacted characteristically to Labour's disastrous by-election
defeats last week. When sim- ilarly under pressure after his austerity
moves in July, 1966, he hastily discovered a "plot" alleged to have been
inspired by Mr. Callaghan. No one else ever found any real evidence for
this supposed conspiracy.
And within a few house of last Thursday's by-election debacle, Mr.
Wilson seemed equally determined to un- cover another plot this time by
friends of Mr. Jenkins. The Prime Minister's associates lelephoned
newspapers to enquire what their Lobby Correspondents were re- porting
on the subject. They said they had heard of a "round robin", which some
backbenchers were circula- ting, calling for Mr. Jenkins to replace Mr.
Wilson.
The correspondents were reporting nothing of the kind, because no round
robin had been hatched. In any case the day was Friday when most MPs had
already quit Westminster. But the seed was sown and rumours started. It
was not long before the anti-Jenkins fac- tions, which include
left-wingers and many trade union MPs, were thoroughly alerted, rallying
to Mr. Wilson and smearing Mr. Jenkins as Mr. Callaghan had been smeared
in July, 1967.
Happily for the Chancellor he was in Stockholm at a "Group of Ten"
meeting. To this extent he could not be blamed for anything his
supporters were supposed to be doing. But Mr. Brown was absent in
Brussels last December when the Prime Minister's supporters were busy
blaming him for the South African arms deal, Indeed this kind of Wilson
operation has provided Mr. Denis Healey with one of his favourite
cocktall party quips: "Ho who is absent is wrong".
Shuffle
Mr. Wilson's next move was to authorise Mr. Rich- ard Crossman to
announce Impending cabinel changes. There are few more effective ways of
containing discon- tented MPs than the hint they may soon gel a place in
the government. But Mr. Crossman's exercise out- raged ministers. In a
disciplined cabinel it would be impossible for a relatively junior
member- Mr. Cross- man is number six in order of precedent - to call
upon the Prime Minister to sack some of his colleagues.
Mr. Crossman's performance only emphasised the excitable, unruly nature
of this government and the ex- treme crisis it is in. It also underlined
the privileged position of people, like Mr. Crossman, who are in Mr.
Wilson's ruling "clique", This, of course, is the pre- cise charge which
Mr. George Brown, among others, has levelled at the Prime Minister.
But it was not only Mr. Wilson who approved Mr. Crossman's speech in
advance. Mrs. Barbara Castle did go too. She is currently enjoying a
spoll as one of the most Influential Ministers, though some cabinet
colleagues partly, perhaps, through Jealousy - resent her ascendancy.
But Mrs. Castle has used her opportunities skilfully. As Transport
Minister she has produced "socialist" legislation which has made her
popular with the left. She has kept ostentallously aloof from economic
policfes which have outraged the party. And she is still treated with
considerable deference by the Prime Minister although she regards him as
"weak".
-
Indeed, Many Labour MPs say that if Mrs. Castle did not suffer the
undeniable political disadvantage of being a woman, she would have a
better chance than Mr. Jenkins of succeeding Mr. Wilson.
Tuesday night's meeting on the government's com- pulsory wages curb
between Mr. Jonkins and the 100 strong trade union group of MPs was
extremely heated. Leading members of the group have since described the
Chancellor in the vitriolle terms they normally reserve for Mr. Peter
Shore, Economic Secretary. Some 30 members of the group are likely to
abstain in the cru- clat vote on the issue. Since the Tories will vote
ag- ainst, the government's majority could fall to 40-50- but not enough
to require its resignation.
Tory Tactics
The Tory Shadow Cabinet met early this week to consider opposition
tacties in the light of the govern- ment's defents in last week's
by-elections. It agreed a series of directives to the Party.
Firstly the opposition should drop the tactics (main- ly used by Mr.
Macleod) of singling out the Prime Min- ister as the main target. Mr.
Wilson is discredited enough at the moment, the Tory leaders decided.
There is a real danger that Labour may drop him and survive under Mr.
Jenkins. From now on the Torles will deliv- er their main attacks
against the cabinet as a whole in an attempt to make the blame for
failure stick collectively.
Secondly the Shadow Cabinet have advised Tory MPs not to try to force
"artificial" points of conflict in the Commons. This, they argue, would
lead to govern- ment victories in the division lobbles, thus emphasis-
ing that it still has a majority of 74.
Thirdly Tory backbenchers have been warned not to expect the government
to be defeated on the Prices and incomes Bill. Though cabinet ministers
confess they do not know whether they can get the Bill through, the Tory
leaders are certain that Labour rebels will not force a government
defeat on it.
Lastly the Shadow Cabinet decided that the Tories must produce a
provisional election manifesto showing how they would meet current
problems. They feel that public opinion will soon demand they say how
they would cope with problems which have overwhelmed Labour.
THIS
WORLD Vietnam Peace?; Hong Kong; Nasser Speaks: Grechko's Tour; Rumania;
Jordan; French Africa CITY... Outlook; Gilts; Investment Trusts; Dunford
& Elliott; Income Portfolio; Neville Group
EDITOR: WILFRED RVDER
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WORLD AFFAIRS
Peace?
Out of the confusion which President Johnson created by his speech on
March 31 at least one thing is clear - he has tried to give himself
greater freedom of action. He always tried to keep as many options open
as possible. and he had got himself Into a position where most were
closed. Now that he is out of the election campaign, he is better placed
either to engage in peace talks, or to continue the war.
The area of North Vietnam in which the bombing has continued is so large
that it appeared certain that Hanoi would refuse peace talks. Yet Hanoi
on April 3 agreed to talks "to decide with the U.S. side on the
uncondition- al cessation of the bombing and of all acts of war ng-
ainst the DRV so that peace talks can begin" This is a change
ofaltitude. Hitherto Hanol has insisted on a complete and unconditional
end to the bombing before any kind of talks could begin. Now it has
agreed to talk before the bombing has completely ended.
But it is too early to Judge whether Hanol's acceptance of talks with
the U.S. is more than a device to sap the fighting spirit of American
and South Vietnamese troops If it is, then two factors would be
relevant. One is the publication on March 21 by Hanoi of a decree on
counter revolutionary crimes. Among them were sabotage. armed rebellion,
defection to the enemy and "under- mining national defence and the
struggle against U.S. aggression, which is aimed at defending the North,
lib- erating the South and reunifying the country". The same day Nhan
Dan, the main Hanoi paper, attacked "elements who have been engaged in
plotting to check the northern people's support for the southern
compatriots' war of liberation".
Clearly there has been considerable opposition to con- tinuing the war
in North Vietnam. But what is most sig- nificant is that this decree,
though published only in March, was in fact signed last November at the
end of a campaign in September and October on the need to strengthen
internal security. It now begins to appear that there could have been a
fierce debate last autumn in the Central Committee on the advisability
of contin- uing or ending the war and that the hawks won approval for a
last massive offensive to try to end It the Tet offensive which in fact
proved inconclusive.
-
-
The second factor that is relevant to Hanoi's changed allitude is that
there has been a significant reduction in recent months in Chinese aid.
Sabotage, absenteelam and anarchism in the wake of the cultural
revolution have hit particularly coal and oil production and the railway
system all of which play a vital role in keep- ing supplies moving to
Vietnam. Soviet shipments through China must also have been affected,
and they had already been hit by the closing of the Suez Canal.
-
Hong Kong
• Hong Kong is expecting more disorders this coming summer. Minor
clashes with the police are already commonplace. The oppressive heat of
summer, it is feared, will ignite the tinder left over from last year's
troubles the most serious since the war. And when schools and colleges
close for the holidays, thousands of students will become available for
agitators to exploit.
Three reasons lie behind this pessimism. Firally there is continued
dissatisfaction with labour conditions: though the standard of living
has risen impressively in recent years, sweatshops have not entirely
disappeared. Secondly there is discontent at a government system in
which the people have no say (both the Legislative and Executive
Councils are appointed, not elected, bodies). And thirdly the
overwhelming majority of the population resents being ruled by the 1.5%
who are not Chinese.
Most observers believe that the police, who were extremely efficient
last year, should be well able to cope again. They might lose control
only if the com- munists, who alone have any degree of real organisa-
tion, go all out to cause trouble which is unlikely. Even last year,
when China's cultural revolution was at its height, they did not pull
out all the stops. And China, from where the marching orders come, has
proved in the past to be well aware of the economic ad- vantages of a
prosperous Hong Kong through which half her foreign exchange comes.
FSL Dec 21, '67; "Close friends report Pres. Johnson is very tired and
might drop out of the election race". This report in greater detail was
repeated March 24 1968. He Announced he will not stand again April 1.
• FSL Mar 28, '68: "Western Ambassa - dors in Washington report the
Preal- dent will order a pause in the bomb- ing when he believes the
time is ripe". He announced the pause April 1.
So the communists are likely to use latent discontent to cause enough
trouble to embarraan Britain, white Peking will keep a finger on the
safety-catch. Tho danger is that non-communist discontents, outside the
Immediate control of the Party, may enter the fray in sufficient numbers
for the police to have difficulty in maintaining control.
This is why more and more voices are heard urging the Hong Kong
government to change its ways. Up till now it has seen its role as
purely 'responsive" to dev- elopments as they happen. Now there is a
growing feel- ing that it should be looking ahead and initiating action
in such fields as labour and electoral reform
in an effort to avoid trouble, rather than simply sitting back and
waiting for it.
-
Nasser Speaks
On March 30 President Nasser announced a major programme of political
reform which is to be put to a referendum on May 2. If it is approved,
he will set i in motion by naming a committee to prepare electiona for a
National Congress of the Arab Socialist Union, Egypt's only political
party. The Congress will meet on July 23 and, if it wishes, can take on
the task of drafting a constitution: this has hitherto been the res-
ponsibility of the present National Assembly, which thus ends its life
with its work unfinished. Completion of the new constitution is in
effect put off to the indef- inite future because it is to be approved
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.