129
SHANGHAI REFUGEES COMMITTEE
REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN.
1.
1. Preparation for the Refugees.
The decision to evacuate British women and children from Shanghai to Hong Kong was taken on Sunday, 15th August, 1937, and was at once communicated by telegram to the Government of Hong Kong by H.M.'s Consul-General in Shanghai.
2. Instructions were received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a telegram dated 16th August detailing the practice in such cases of evacuation and assuring the Government of Hong Kong that all expenditure incurred would ultimately be refunded by H.M.'s Government in the United Kingdom.
3. A Committee was formed and charged with the duty of making arrange- ments for the reception and accommodation of the refugees. The Committee met for the first time at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 17th August, when the following were present:-
Brigadier H. G. Seth-Smith, D.s.o., (in the Chair).
Hon. Mr. R. M. Henderson, Director of Public Works.
Mr. G. H. Bond, Architect, Public Works Department.
Dr. T. W. Ware, Port Health Officer.
Mr. J. H. Taggart, Managing Director, Hong Kong and Shanghai
Hotels, Limited.
Mr. J. H. B. Lee, (Secretary).
4. I had not then been appointed Chairman and was therefore not present. It is a matter of great regret that this occurred as action was taken at the beginning by many willing voluntary workers without co-ordination by any central authority. I was, however, relieved of my other duties on the morning of 18th August and thereafter took charge.
,
5. The Committee took the name of the "Shanghai Refugees Committee ". There was at one time a slight resentment shown by some of our visitors and guests at being called refugees and it was stated that they preferred to be called evacuees". This is but natural. From the view point of Shanghai they had been evacuated from that port but to the Hong Kong mind they had taken refuge in Hong Kong.
6.6
After all arrangements had been made for the reception and accommodation of the refugees the administrative work was carried on by the Chairman alone and his staff.
Mr.
6. At the first meeting of the Committee Mr. J. H. Taggart was asked to take charge of preparing the accommodation for the reception of the refugees and of arranging for their disembarkation, transportation and maintenance. Taggart had for some time been considering a problem similar to that of the accom- modation of refugees and the Committee was fortunate in this respect. The Stand of the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Happy Valley was the first building selected as suitable for the housing of the refugees and it proved ideal for the purpose, more especially as an initial receiving depot. The building is modern, light and airy, and has adequate lavatory accommodation, while the kitchens were designed to cater for the considerable number who frequent the race meetings held there and were easily expanded. Happy Valley is easily accessible from the centre of the town and no difficulties arose over the catering which was undertaken by Messrs. Lane, Crawford, Limited (Café Wiseman).