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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, AUGUST 20, 1915.
DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 374.
CIRCULAR.
DOWNING STREET,
16th July, 1915.
SIR, I have the honour to inform you that it has been brought to my notice that since the outbreak of war officers holding appointments in the Colonial Service have, in several instances, tendered their resignation of their appointments without previous enquiry as to whether they could be permitted to do so, and have even refused to return to their duties after it had been made clear to them that the exigencies of the public service made it impossible that their resignations should be accepted.
2. I have reasons to believe that some members of the Colonial Service hold the view that it is open to servants of the Crown to tender their resignations and relinquish Such views are their appointments whenever it may suit their convenience to do so. entirely erroneous. No servant of the Crown is at liberty to resign his appointment except by permission of the Crown, and this should be clearly understood by every member of the Colonial Service.
3. I recognise that such resignations as have been tendered since the outbreak of hostilities by officers without first obtaining permission to do so have usually been prompted by a patriotic wish to serve the Empire in some capacity directly connected with the war. It is not, however, for the individual officer to decide in what capacity he can best serve His Majesty the King. As, moreover, such conduct, far from assisting, may cause most serious detriment to, the public service, especially at such a time as the present, I am compelled to regard it as a grave dereliction of duty which cannot be excused.
4. In his circular despatch of 31st August, 1914, my predecessor informed you of the liberal conditions as to pay which were to be granted here to Civil Servants joining the colours, and I am well aware of the readiness which you have shown to allow every officer who could possibly be spared to join His Majesty's Forces. I am confident that you will maintain the same attitude; but the administration cannot be allowed to fall into confusion through lack of officers to carry on the work that is absolutely necessary in the public interest.
5. It must, therefore, be understood that, should any member of the Colonial Service hereafter resign his post without permission, he will be treated as absent from duty without leave, and will be gazetted as dismissed from the service, with the result that he will be debarred from further employment under the Crown in any capacity, civil or military.
6. I request that you will cause this despatch to be published in the Colony under your government.
I have, &c.,
The Officer Administering the Government of
A. BONAR LAW.
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No. 26.
HONGKONG.
PROCLAMATIONS.
[L.S.]
FRANCIS HENRY MAY,
Governor.
By His Excellency Sir FRANCIS HENRY MAY Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Governor and Commander- in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies and Vice-Admiral of the
same:
Whereas by the second section of the Military Stores (Exportation) Ordinance 1862 as amended by the Military Stores (Exportation) Ordinance 1914 it is enacted that it shall be lawful for the Governor by and with the advice of the Executive Council by