Speech #870216895

Madam President. many Members of the Senate have an interest in the Chinese refugee situation and the immigration problem that bears so heavily on Hong Kong. Recently I obtained a copy of the statement of the Colonial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government. Mr. Claude Burgess. concerning the socalled refugee problem. This statement was referred to in a recent press conference by President Kennedy. The statement of Mr. Burgess reminds us that the Hong Kong Government has pursued a policy that all entrants into the Colony of Hong Kong are treated as immigrants and not refugees. In other words. those who have come to Hong Kong have been integrated into the life of the colony and have been granted equal status with the original inhabitants. Mr. Burgess outlines in some detail the broad program of public works. including housing. schools. hospitals. roads. community centers. and other basic community facilities which have been established by the Government of Hong Kong in order to accommodate the tremendous growth of populationmost of which is due to the flow of immigrants or refugees. It is very difficult to obtain by a quick reading of press dispatches the full story of what has happened in Hong Kong in the years since 1945 and what has happened in recent weeks. It is even more difficult to obtain from the news media all that has been done to cope with these developments. The statement of Mr. Claude Burgess. Colonial Secretary of the Hong Kong Government to the regional council concerning the crown colony policy on immigration from China should be read and studied by all who have expressed interest and concern over recent developments pertaining to Chinese refugees. I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the statement of Mr. Burgess on the date of June 13. 1962. entitled "Hong KongGovernment Policy Statement on Immigration From China and Offers of Help From Overseas" be printed in the RECORD.