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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 21ST OCTOBER, 1899.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.--No. 573.
The following Circular Despatch with its enclosures is published.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 19th October, 1899.
CIRCULAR.
SIR,
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
DownING STREET,
19th August, 1899,
It is probable that your attention has been directed to two Royal Warrants dated the 18th of May, instituting a new Decoration and Medal for Colonial Forces, which were published in the London Gazette of the 2nd of June, and copies of which I have the honour to enclose.
2. Various representations have been made during recent years both to my predecessor and myself as to the exclusion of a large section of the Colonial Forces from the long service Decoration and Medal which had been granted to Volunteers; and it is impossible to doubt that the feeling on the subject has been very strong.
3. You are probably aware that the reason assigned by the War Department for this limitation of the Decoration and Medal has been that a large proportion of the Colonial Forces are described as "Militia ;" and it has been held that a force raised on a "militia" or even a "partially-paid" organisa- tion could not properly be regarded as coming under the designation of a Volunteer Force.
4. In view, however, of the feeling to which I have referred, and which under the circumstances it is not difficult to understand, I have for some time past been in consultation with the Secretary of State for War as to whether some modification of the existing regulations might not be arrived at that would include those Colonial Forces which have hitherto been regarded as disqualified for the Decoration and Medal; and with this object in view I suggested to the Marquess of Lansdowne the appointment of an inter-Departmental Committee to consider the question in all its bearings.
5. The appointment of this Committee was agreed to by the Marquess of Lansdowne; and their recommendations have been practically embodied in the Royal Warrants which I now have the pleasure to enclose.
6. With the exception therefore of the Permanent Forces, which are already eligible under other regulations for medals for long and meritorious service and for distinguished service, the whole of the organised Military Forces of Her Majesty's Colonies, whether designated as Militia or Volunteers, will now become eligible for a long service Decoration and Medal. I venture to think that this con- cession on the part of Her Majesty's Government will be appreciated throughout the Empire.
7. It will be observed that the regulations as to the issue, surrender, forfeiture, and restoration of Decorations or Medals are to correspond as far as possible with those laid down for "The Volunteer Officers' Decoration" and "The Volunteer Long Service Medal"; and I need only therefore refer you for your guidance to my predecessor's Circular despatch of the 18th June, 1894, and my own Circular despatch of the 23rd September, 1896. A copy of the latter is enclosed,
8. The question of the designs for the new Decoration and Medal is at present under considera- tion; and a further communication will be addressed to you on this subject. The cost of the supply of the Decoration and Medal will, as on previous similar occasions, be borne by Colonial Revenues.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
The Officer Administering
CIRCULAR.
the Government of
HONGKONG.
J. CHAMBERLAIN.
SIR,
Enclosure to Circular dated 19th August, 1899.
DownING STREET,
23rd September, 1896.
I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Government, copies of a Royal Warrant extending to Indian, Colonial, and other Volunteer Forces raised for service in Countries under Her Majesty's Protection the grant of the "Volunteer Long Service Medal."