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7. We are satisfied that, apart from the direct result of our investigation, the appointment, or anticipated appointment, of the Commission indirectly brought about the release of an additional number of men, the practicability of sparing whom was so apparent as to render reference to the Commission unnecessary. A list (unavoidably incomplete) of thirty-one men, other than those appearing before the Commission, for whom passages have recently been arranged, is given in Appendix D.
S. It cannot but be noticed that the younger men in the Colony have, to a certain extent, refrained hitherto from coming before the Commission. We have had the opportunity of ascertaining the number of civilians in Hongkong of British race and military age; and are forced to the conclusion that, had more applied, more, although it may be not a large number, would have been found able to go; at the cost perhaps of personal sacrifice, but with no diminution of the Colony's value as an asset of the Enipire. Furthermore it has been a matter of surprise to the Commission to learn, what the enquiry has certainly proved, that there yet remains doubt in some minds whether the Empire needs more men; and this doubt probably in part explains the number who have abstained from applying. Being ourselves convinced that so long as the war lasts the need is imperative, and increasingly so, we respectfully recommend that a clear official pronouncement upon the matter is desirable.
9. The Commission, in the cases before it, has accepted the principle that it is outside its province to decide whether the full carrying on in the Colony of any particu- lar trade or business is necessary or expedient in the interests of the Empire. The Commission has accordingly based its findings upon the policy that, while staffs are to be reduced to the minimum compatible with efficiency, every trade and business irrespective of its nature is to be continued. Under the system of compulsory service obtaining in Great Britain, this standard has of course been abandoned; and we recognise that it may be necessary to modify the policy in Hongkong.
10. The part played by Hongkong under the voluntary system will probably stand comparison with the part played by any other British Dependency; but believing, as we have said, that there are still men here who could well be spared, we should welcome a decision by the Imperial Government to extend to the Colony the obligation of compul- sory service with the armies in the field.
11. Pursuant to the terms of our appointment, we have confined our enquiry to the cases of men medically passed as fit for active service at the front, and have not consi- dered applications from those physically capable of only sedentary or semi-active duties. And it is evident that the retention here of the latter class enables more of the former to leave.
12. With a view to liberating men, sixty-five women have made offers of assistance in one capacity or another, and steps have been taken to put their names before employers. Useful and suitable work has already been arranged in several cases, and, we hope, will soon be in more. It must however be remembered that men who come from the United Kingdom to the Far East have usually undergone a special course of training, and it is difficult to find women possessing the requisite experience and technical knowledge to take their places. Unskilled and partly skilled work, such as is now largely done by women in the United Kingdom, is performed in Hongkong mainly by men of Asiatic race.
13. We desire to express our appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER as Secretary of the Commission.
14. We hope that Your Excellency will see fit to direct the publication of this report in the Gazelle.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants,
E. H. SHARP.
C. E. ANTON.
ROBT. SHEWAN.
C. MONTAGUE EDE. I. B. F. CURRIE.
C. W. BECKWITH.
T. A. LOUGHLIN,