SINGAPORE GOVERNMF~NT PRESS STATEMENT. INFS. AP. 42/57.

CHIEF MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE AT AIRPORT

The agreement reached in London between the All-Party Delegation and Her Ma jesty's Government covered all points asked for by Singapore, the Chief Minister, Mr. Lim Yew Hock, said at a Press conference at Singapore Airport this afternoon shortly after his arrival by air from Bangkok. On the question of the subversion clause inserted by the Secretar; of StRte for the Colonies, Mr. Lim said the delega- tion was not awo..ce .J f ::. t unti1. the very last meeting when the draft report ~as ~e ing considered.

"When he brought up t h is matter," Mr . Lim explained, 11 ·we said that we did not like it because we felt it was a departure from normal dem ocr~tic practice. H~ (the Colonial Secretary) said that he must ha ve t t in order to ensure that the first Legislature i s a democra tic Lc gislatui"'e ." The Ch:i.e f Mi nj_s ter said the delegation "took note" of E.M. Govern:r-ent's intention. In answer to a question, Mr . Lim said those who were now arrested und~ r t~e Preservation of Public Security Ordinance would be treated as required under that Ordinance; the Ordinance was not being o.mended "for the moment. 0 Comin g back to the new clause which debars subversives from con testing t:1e f irst elections, the Chief Minister said this matter would be placed before the Legislative Assembly at its meeting on April 24. "I will give a full report and there will be a full-dress d-:'y~_";e on the Agreement with the British Government. 11 Mr. Lim exp lained that before the delegation left for London. there was an All- Party conference to plarl the str@tegy for the London talks . This .st rategy was enshrined in the White Paper placed before t he Legislative Assembly and the delegation received a mandate f!'0'"'1 t .h P L1 "'"' Pn;.°"!:' J ~,r. "This Merdeka Mission is not a Government Mis s ion - it is an All-Port y .Miss i on, t: he said. Asked about poss ible merger with the Federation, the Chief Minister r eplied, "That is always our aim. The sooner we merge the better for the Malayan nation." Asked vv:,·_ t his comments were on Mr. David Marshall's recent utterances in the Press, Mr. Lim said, "Mr. Marshall's comments are irrelevant." Mr. Lim said the delegation went with a mandate and they returned with that mandate fulfilled, except for two points. They were, firstly Singapore wanted to break away from the Colonial Office, but because of Britain's responsibility this could not be achieved. Secondly, the conditions of empl oyment of civilian employees of the armed Services. The delegation was told this was a matter for negotiation by the Services Departments. The conference agreed to setting up a tripartite committee on which members of the Sing2pore Government would sit to advise on con- ditions of emplcym en t. On the •.•••.••• 2/- I

2.

On the Question of citizenship 9 Mr. Lim gave the assurance that everything would be done to speed up registration of citizens so that fresh elections c ould take place as soon as physically possible. He thought new elections would not be possible before January 1958 9 but they could be about the middle of next year if everything went well . . "We will do all we can to speed it up, 11 he promised. "The sooner the new constitution gets going the better for all concern- ed." Ju::<:cJ agc:1111 aoo"'J. c the su-oversion clause, Mr . Lim said it was II imposed" on the delegation because they could not accept it. It was never in their mandate 9 adding, "but because you impose it we take note of it." Asked about the British Government's power to suspend the constitution the Chief Minister re-affirmed.that this was in the hands of the British Government but he thought they would have to exercise this power very cautiously. "We went and sought complete internal self- government. From the minute we become a part of a united Malaya we become independent," Mr . Lim added. lie said in conclusion that all members of the delegation were going to commence immediate consultations with their Parties on the London talks. Speaking for himself, he would begin consultations with the Labour Front on Tuesday of tbis week.

Thousands lined the route along Geylang Road, Guillemard Road and Merdeka Bridge to watch the motorcade which wound its way from the Airport to City Hall. The motorcade, led by Mr . Lim Yew Hock in the first cart stopped at the Merdeka Bridge where delegation members were welcomed by the Singapore Trades Union Congress. N1r . Lim was presented with a painting and a scroll by trF! T. TLC. A.nd +,reY1 c raC'kers were fired as the procession got u~ der ~woy for ths City Hall.

APRIL 14 1 1 957. (Time issued - 1810 hours)