HONGKONG'S MAN-POWER. REPORT OF MILITARY SERVICE
COMMISSION.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, MAY 7TH, 1917.
9. The Commission, in the cases before it, has accepted the principle that it is outside its province to decide whether the full carving on in the Colony of any particular trade or business is neces- COMPULSION URGED FOR YOUNGER Bary or expedient in the interests of the Empire. The Commission has according- ly based its findings upon the policy that, while staffs are to be reduced to the minimum compatible with eficiency, overy trade and business irrespective of,
·MEN WHO COULD WELL BE
SPARED.****
The Carette contains the following correspondence between the Military Barvice Commission and H.E. the "Governor, which is published by com- mand, from the Colonial Secretary's Office, under date April 20th, 1917
S12,-We, the Commissioners appoint ed by Your Excelletey, have the honour to submit a general report up to the present date concerning the enquiry mpon which at your direction we have been engaged.
ite nature is to be continued. Under the system of compulsory service obtaining Fin. Great Britain, this standard has, of course, been abandoned; and we recognise that it may be necessary to modify, the policy in Hongkong.
APPENDIX E Ainslie E. J., Mesars, Lane, Crawford
& Co,
Alarakia, A. A,
Allen, J. W. B., Hongkong & Whampoa
Dock Co., Ltd. Archbutt, G. S., China Fin Insurance
Co., Ltd, MARKE Arnold, E. L, Commercial Union Assur-
ance Co., Ltd. Austin, N., Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and Chine.By Austin, R. M. Mesars, Jardine, Mathic
'son & Co., Ltd. Balcan, A., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Barton, L. A Mosses, Butterfield & Barton
Barton, T., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation Beith, B. D. F. Messrs. Jardine, Mathe- Fenwick, C. Messrs. Jardins, Matheson Bevington, P. Mosers, Bradley & Co.,
Ltd..
10. The part played by Hongkong under the voluntary system will probably stand comparison with the part played by any other British Dependency, buton & Co., Ltd, believing, as we have said, there are still men here who could well be spared, wo&Co., Ltd should welcome a decision by the Im perial Government to extend to the Colony the obligation of compulsory service with the armies in the field.
11. Pursuant to the terms of our ap pointment, wo have confined our enquiry to the cases of men medically passed as for active service at the front, and have not considered applications from those physically capable of only sedentary or acmi active duties. And it is evident that the retention here of the latter class enables more of the former to leave
2. Under the terms of our appointment published in the Gazette of the 9th February last, we were instructed to enquire "whether and to what extent, having, regard both to Imperial needs and to local conditions, it is practicable and expedient that male British sub jects of military age, resident in the Colony, who wish to volunteer for active wervice, with His Majesty's forces out-sixty-five women have made offers of aido the Colony, should be allowed to love for that purpose." And we were desired to report in particular our find ing and recommendations. The scope
the enquiry Wita subsequently narrowed by the manifestly necessary exclusion of the Naval and Military Establishments; and later by the with drawal from our purview of the Civil Establishment under circumstances which appear in our correspondence with you attacked in Appendix A.
3. On the 9th February we published a notification inviting applications from men of military age; and in response. one hundred and eighty-two candidates, exclusive of those in the employment of the Naral, Military and Civil Authorj ties, sent in their names as shown in Appendix B. Of these, three afterwards withdrew their applications, two proved ineligible on account of age, and fifty: two were found to be physically unfit. In the result, therefore, we have heard and considered the applications of the remaining one hundred and twenty-five men. and have reported to you from. time to time our Bodings and record
in each of these. Cisea mendations. individually.** € ja
4. The Commission was informed at the outset that the Military Authorities do not require for local thefence, and would not detain, any man whom the Commission should find could otherwise 1 spared for motive service outside the Colony
5. The Commission urat met on the 13th February, and held frequent sittings hetween that time and 19th inst. for the murpose of considering applications. All the members were present at every meeting, except the last two, when a member was prevented from attending for illness. We found, in consequence of investigation, that of the candidates before us forty-three could be scared sit of whom have we understand, hean Informed by the Gospinment that they am at liberty to leave the Colony for ptive service. Their names are given in 'Anpendix C.
6. In elmost every instance employers have undertaken to keep situations open, and in most cases, have agreed to make some monetary grant by way of part salary or otherwise. So far as we are
aware no impediment or delay has been Interposed by an employer to the deper ture of any of these forty three men, except in one case, which has been re- ferred by letter to London. We desire to EXDOS our appreciation of the liberal attitude adopted by employers generally in the matter of releasing and making provision for their men. The Govern- ment has provided second class passages bmail to England, and has guaranteed the provision of return passages to the rolong
7. We are satisfer that, apart from the direct result of our investigation, the appointment, or anticipated appoint- ment of the Commission indirectly brought about the release ofan additional number of men, the practi- cability of sparing whom was so Apparent as to render reference to the Commission unnecessary. A list (uns avoidably incomplete) of thirty-one men, other than those appearing before the Commission, for whom, passages have recently been arranged, is given in Appendix D.
12: With a view to liberating men,
assistance inoue capacity or another, and steps have been taken to put their names before employers. Useful and suitable work has already been arranged in several enses, and, we hope, will soon be in more It must, however, be re- membered 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 and women possessing the requisite is perience, 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 Hong. kong mainly by men of Asiatic race.
13. We desire to express our appre- ciation of the valuable services of Mr. A G. M. Fletcher sa Secretary of the Commission. Secretary of
14. We hope that Your Excellency wilt see it to direct the publication of this report in the Gazette. We have the honour, to be, Sir, Your obedient ser vanta,
E. H. SHARP, CE, ANTON, ROST SHEWAN
C. MONTAGUR EDE
IB. F. CERNIE,
C. W. BEOK WITH.
T. A LODGELIN
APPENDIX A
HONGKONG, 26th March, 1912- Sin,-Referring to our recent inter views on the subject of applications from Civil Servante I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Com- missioners, noon further consideration, of all the circumstances which I nut before you, are confirmed in the view that it would not serve any useful pur pose for them to hear such applications
Bird, C. B., Union Insurance Society of
Canton, Ltd. Bisseker, CF. D.
British-Amerienn
Tobacco Co., Ltd: Bond, W., Messrs. Butterfield & Swire. Bootes, A N., Messrs. Lane, Crawford
& Co
Brewer, N. J., Messrs, Butterfield &
Swire
Brister, J. H., Messrs. Beiss & Co. Brown, UB, Mesara. Linstead & Davis Brown, N. S., Messrs. Butterfield &
Swire, Butler, G. R. Messrs. Gibb, Livingston Cassidy, P. S., Hongkong and Shangbai
Banking Corporation. Chapman, A F. Messrs. Lowe, Bingham
& Matthews.
McIntosh, B., Hongkong and Whampo
Dock, C., Ltd." HeNicoll, L. D., Messrs. Lever Brothers
(China), Ltd. McTavish, H H., Messrs, Jardine,
Matheson & Co., Ltd.
Maher, N. H, China Mail, Lad Maltby, CF, Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and China,
w Manning, W. Asiatic Petroleum Co.,
Ltd
Mansfeld, W. R. Union Insurance
Society of Canton, Ltd. Margnes, FT. Hongkong and Whampoa
Dock Co., Ltd.
Martin, A E., Peninsular and Oriental
SN. Co., Ltd
Mason, C. F., Messre, d'Almada & Mason, May, G. T. Asiatic Petroleum Co., Ltd. Mayen, S. M., British American Tobacco
Co., Ltd,
Mellis, G., Mears. Falconer & Co. Meyer, J. E., Messrs. Loxley & Co. Morrison, K. S., Messrs. Bradley & Co. Morrison, W. J Chartered Bank of
India, Australia and China, Morse, A., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation, Morton-Smith G Messrs, Dodwell & Co. Murlet, H E., Hongkong and Shangboi
Banking Corporation.
Banking Corporation. Murphy, L N., Hongkong and Shanghai Murray, M. A., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Nairn JE, Messrs Butterfold & Swire." Nixon, T. 0.
Norris, J. O., Hongkong Electric Co., Northey, H. R., Hongkong and Shang- * hai Banking Corporation.
Pasco, H. Messrs Butterfield & Swire. Pearce, T. E., Messrs. D. Hutchison
& Co.
Chassels, T. R., Messrs Butterfield &
Swire, b Cheesman, D. G., Eastern Extension &
Australasia Telegraph Co., Ltd Clark, D E., Messrs, J. D. Humphreys
|
Pereira, O
Perry, A., British-American Tobacco.
Co., Ltd.
Petley, H. W., Hongkong Electric Co.,
Ltd.
Piercy, G. H., Messrs. Jardino, Mathe Sonson & Co. Ltd. Cocks, E. C Eastern Extension & Plummer, J. A. Messrs, Bradley & Co.
Australesia Telegraph Co, Ltd Preston. A. M., Messrs. Johnson, Stokes Cook, W. E., Hongkong and Whampoa
Dock Co., Ltd
Cooper,. D. 5, Hongkong Whampoule
Dock Co., Ltd.
Cormack, B. W Messra, Lane, Crawford Cornell, W. A., Megara, Palmer & Turner Crencher, N., Messrs, Benjamin & Potts, Cullen, F. Hongkong & Whampoa Dock
Co., Ltd.US Cumming, K. M., Meats Reiss & Co. Cunningham, J., Messrs, Butterfield &
og Swirow
Be Cuthill, C. H., Hongkong & Whampoa
Dook Co., Ltd.
Davison, &C. Mesara Jardine Mathe
son & Co., Ltd.
Dick, J G., Hongkong and Whampoa
Dock Co., Ltd
Din, Mehres
Duckworth, F. Hongkong Electric
Co., Ltilitat Dunnett, G. B., Hongkong and Shanghal
Banking Corporation.
Easton, J, Mesars, A S. Watson & Co.,
Ltd.
England, J. H., Messrs. Lane, Crawford
& Co, Ltả - SOU Evans, J., Hongkong, Canton and Macao
Steamboat Co., Ltd. Farmer, W, Mesra Butterfield & Swire, Fisher, TI Messrs. Butterfield &
Bwird g
Foote L, Messrs, Jardine, Matheson &
Co., Ltd TOMENING Fraser, W. Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. Fyfe, A A, Meaars, Percy Smith, Seth
Gace, F. A. Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Gibb, J. Chartered Bank of India, Aue
tralia and China Mogh Coard, S, G., Mesars. Butterfield & Swire Grant-Smith, E., Messrs Dodwell & Co. Greenhill, L. S., Hongkong Land Invest
-The principal circumstances in- Buencing the Commissioners in this view are that such applications constitute in some respects a peculiar category inas & Fleming much as you hold the dual position, at anon of the applicant's employer and the arbiter of whatever recommendations the Commissioners may make upon their find- ings. They also understand that in the former capacity, at the instance of the Secretary of State, you have already formed and are acting upon an opinion ment Co., Ltda as to the maximum number of men who can be spared, which opinion they appre- head would in fact guide your decision in your final arbitrament.
3-In the above circumstances the Commissioners suggest that you withdraw the Civil Service from the purview of the Commission, in the same manner the Naval and Military Services have been withdrawn.
Grimshaw, J Messrs Butterfield &
Swire the Haines, H. F. Peak Tramway Co., Ltd. Hay, 0. H. P. Union Insurance Society
of Canton, Ltd Haywood, G. B Solicitor. Heath, H, T., Messra, Butterfield & Bwire.
Hegerts W G., Hongkong and Shang-
Thai Banking Corporation. Henderson, M, J. Messrs. Jardine,
Matheson & Co., Ltd Harbert, R. G., Messrs. Butterfield &
Swire
Herridge, T. G., Mesers. Loxley & Co. Middlen, S. L. Mosers. Whiteway, Laid
4.The Commissioners wish this letter to be understood as in no way implying a desire on their part to be relieved of the task of dealing with applications from Civil Servants, a duty they would law & Co gladly undertake were the conditions Higginbotham, CJ Messrs. J metally and effectively have the fil, acis Messe Butterfield & Siware. honour to be, Your Excellency's obedient Hollands, H. E., Mesare, Jardine, Mathe servant,
Bon & Co, Ltd.
auch as to enable them to perform it |__ Hutchison, & Co.
(Ed.) B. H. SHARP,
Chairman.
His Excellency
Sir F. H. MAY, K.O.M.G.,
Governor of Hongkong,
Hosie, EL, Hongkong and Whampoa
Dock Co., Ltd.
Hall, M. Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & 2 Co., Ltd,
Harle, B. B., Asiatic Petroleum Co., Ltd. Johnson, M. T. Peninsular and Oriental
S.N. Co. Ltd, AGUE Johnstone, JR, Messrs. Butterfield &
Bwire,
Mastor 2
Purves, D. J., Messrs Jardine, Matheson
& Co. Ltd
Railton, M, L.. Mosses, Jardine, Mathe-
son & Co. Ltd
Railton, N. L. H.. Messrs. Jardine,
Matheson & Co., Ltd:
Ramsey, H. Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Rawlinson, E. J., Mesars. Butterfeld &
Swire Relph, H., Mesars. A. S. Watson & Co.,
Lid..
Remedios, J, B. V., Hongkong Volunteer
**Corps.
Hesker, A. O., Messrs. Butterfield &
Swize
Biach G. V. R., Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd. Ridgway, J., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation, Robertson, A. W. L., Messrs. Butterfield Hongkong and Whakapon Robson,
Dock Co., Ltd A Rodger, Herre Thom. Cook & Son.
J. Central Agency, Ltd Ross, C. Hoss, D. M., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation.
Hosa, L., Messrs. Leigh & Orange. Ross, W., Hongkong and Shanghai Bunk-
ing Corporation, Sandford, C., Hongkong and Shang-
hat Banking Corporation, Schulz, A. E., Messrs. Linstead & Davis Scriven, H. E, Moesra, Lane, Crawford
ford & Co. *- Sedgwick L., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation,
pl
Sharp, R. H, British-American Tobacco
Co., Ltd.
Silva, F. N. E, Messre, Dodwell & Co. Sim, E. L, Mercantile Bank of India,
Ltd,
Sinclair, W., Messrs Reiss & Co. Smith, Crowther, Solicitor.
Smith, W., Messrs. A. G. Gordon & Ca Borby, V., Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd Southerton, R, G., Diocesan School, Stackhouse, J.-W., New Zealand Insur-
anes Co., Ltd. Stalker, J., Bank Line, Ltd. Stapleton, W. H, Messrs W. G. Hura-
phreys & Co.
Stewart, A. B., Mesars Jardine, Matho-
son & Co., Ltd. Stewart. E. G., St. Paul's College.
Messrs. Dodwell & Co.. Stone, W., Bummers, C, H., Messrs. Butterfield &
Swire Syme-Thompson, J., Messrs. Dodwell &
Colle
Taylor, T., Messre Palmer & Turner, Thomss, G. H., Hongkong and Shanghai
Banking Corporation. Thompson, Cr, Mesars. Descon, Looker,
Deacon & Harston Thursfield, R. P, Hongkong and Shang-
hai Banking Corporation, Tod, P., Messrs. Jardine, Matheson &
Co., Ltd.
Todd, FC, Memra AS Watson &
Co., Ltd.
Towns, G. E. Hongkong and Shaughti
Banking Corporation. Upsdell, G. E. S., St. Paul's College. Walker, J. M., Chartered Bank of India, Keith, D., Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Australia and China
Co, Ltd.“
Wallace, C. Central Ageney, Ltd. Kinghorn, J. B.
Watkins, C., Mesars. Dodwell & Co Kinross, A. R., Hongkong and Whampoa Wattie, J. Messrs, Alex, Ross & Co.
Ltd Dock Co, 1
Wilken, E. Hongkong and Shanghai Messrs. Gibb, Livingston Banking Corporation. A Lakin, G. M.,
Compe
Vilkie, P. W. A Lang, A. O, Messrs. Gibb, Livingston Wilkinson, R. A. M., Messrs, Butterfield
& Cons
William E. A. M., Messrs. Lowe, Bing Layton, GB. Mesara, Layton & Co.
& Bwire,
156)
CASCADE” BEER.
cheery young man of Hongkong
Drank "Cascade" from a glass that was long.
When they asked "Quantum sufficit ?"
He replied "Buch good staff is it,
Say a quart and you won't be far wroug
HASTINGS, HODGE & CO.,
Importers, Phone No. 188.
1916
A Record Year's Business
Sun Life Assurance Company
of Canada.
Important Facts.
Its new issued and paid for policies amounted to
an increase over 1815 of about...
Its cash income for the year was...
an increase over 1918 of about
31ts Death Claims, Matared Endowments and Cush
profits were (including all war losses)
4.—Its Assets amounted to furt
an increase over 1915
6.—Its Surplus paid, or all tied to Pohoy-holders during
1916
It added to Surplus during 1916.
Surplus earned in 1916.
-fts Life Surplus (over all liabilities and Capital
Stock)...
G$42,770,000 7.890.000
G$18,499,00O 2,520,459
G$7,578,016
G$82,048,996 €88,622,572
G$1,110,900 964.274
682,07 174
G#8,509,805)
G$281,424,€90
7-Its Life Assuances in force at 31st December, 1916
B-Its distribution of profits to participating policy-holders was on the same
basis as previous to the war (1913).
Its record for new business was not equalled by any Life-Company in the
British Empire (Industrial husïncas excluded).
10-Its payments to Policy-holders since organization
Fallest information will be given on application to :-*-*-*
FK. TATA,
Special Agent.
68e0,254,071
LINSTEAD & DAVIS.
Acting Managers,
LOCAL OFICE: 12, Des Voeux Road, Central.
HEAD OFFICE: Montreni, Canada,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 28th March, 1917 SIR-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th 8. It cannot but he noticed that the inst explaining the circumstances which younger men in the Cology have, to have induced the members of the Mili certain extent, refrained hitherto from ty Service Commission to suggest that coming before the Commission. We should withdraw the Civil Servants have had the opportunity of ascertaining from the purview of the Commission. the number of civilians in Hongkong of I appreciate the reasons for this sug British race and military age; and are gestion, which, in the circumstances I forced to the conclusion that, had more shall adopt. I shall at the same time Leith, A, C., Hongkong and Shanghatham & Matthews. applied, more, although it may not be a weigh carefully the cases of those Civil Banking Corporation. lage aumber, would have been found Servante who have not applied to the able to go at the cost perhaps of Colonial Government for permission to personal sacrifice, but with no diminution offer themselves for Military Service bo of the Colony's value as an asset of the yond the Colony, but who may have made Empire. Furthermore, it has been a applications to go before the Commis matter of surprise to the Commission to sion. I shall be glad, therefore, to receive Fearn, what the enquiry has certainly from the Commission the names of all proved, that there yet remains doubt in Civil Servants who have made such some minds whether the Empire needs applications--I have the honour to be, more uien, and thi doubt probably in Sir, Your most obedient servant, MacIntyre, N., Messrs. Jardine, Mathe FD Bisseker, W. Brewer, AFE, Smyth G H S Tomlinson, honour to be, Bir your obedient servant,
part explains the number who have abstained from applying. Being our. solves convinced that so long as the war
lasts the need is imperative, and in The Honourable crossingly so, we respectfully recommend that a clear official, pronouncement upon the matter is desirable.
** (80) F. H. MAY,
Governor, etc.
Mr. EH Smar, K.C.
Chairman,
Military Service Commission.
Longmire, K. de C. Messra Jardine,
Matheson & Co., Ltd Loughlin, T. A Bank Line, Ltd Lovely, L. H., Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and Chine Maas, M M Asiatic Petroleum Co., Ltd. Macdonald A. D., Hongkong Tramway
Co., Ltd. Macdonald, J., Chartered Bank of India,
Australia and ChinaW9y
Wilson, D., Messrs. A. B Watson & Co.,
Ltd. Woodhead, C. Mesore. Jardine, Matheson
&Co., Ltd, Wes
Wright, W., Fumigating and Disinfecting
Bureau, Young, A. Hongkong and Whampoa Young, J. A., Messrs. Shawan, Tomos &
Dock Co., Ltda
APPENDIX:0;
Le Bon & Co., Ltd. Chapman A, G. Cheesman, E. C. Cocks, McDonald AG M., Messrs Moxon N Croucher, F. Cullen, G., H. Cuthill,
Taylor
Mehr Din, J Easton, J. C. England, W Melanes, Central Agency, Ltd Farmer A. A Fyfe, L. 8. Greenhill, H McIntyre, R. W, Messrs Butterfield &F Haines, G. R. Haywood, WKG.
Svire.
(Continued at foot of next column)
Hegarty, M. J, Henderson, B. R. Hurle, April, by the Military Bervice Commis JB. Johnstone, N. B. Maher Tsioners in the matter of the enquiry upon Marques, C. F. Mason, G. T. May, A which they have been eng ged.
-2--I desire to express my thanks to the G. M McDonald, G. Mellis, IN Murphy, C. Pereira, D. J. Purves, M Commissioners for their, vainable work, 1. Hailton, W- Robson, ♬ Bodger, L with its resultant addition of no incons Bosa, A. W Rosser, Crowther Smith, siderable Lorse for service with His W. Smith, W, H. Stapleton, EG Majesty's Armies, work which has, to Stewart, C. H. Summers, T. Taylor, J. my personal knowledge, involved much Wattie, P. WA, Wilkie, A. Young patient labour
With reference to paragraph 5 of APPENDIX D.
... the report. I propose shortly to make al A. Anderson, T. Blyton, B, A. Brand, pronouncement in the Legislative Council A O. Brawn, D. Burlingham, S. Fregarding the subject of Military Ser- Chubb, H. I Dennys, FJ. Dickie, E. vice in relation to this Colony J. Grant-Smith, H. Green, T. W. Hill, The report will be published in the H. 1 Jones, 8. Kelly B. W Lee-Jones, Gazette of the 4th May, a copy will be FF. LenFeatoy, J. McVeigh, G. Miskin, forwarded to the Secretary of State for Moore, O. Mycock, Old, G. A, Robin be laid upon the table of the Legislative Mitchell S S Moure, WB the Colonies forthwith, and copies will son, HE, Scriven, G. W Sewell, F.
· Council at its next meeting —I have the
CH West, I M Watkins,
FH MAY,
Government House, Hongkong, th April, 1917. SIs I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the report, dated the 20th
Whyte
Governor, etc. The Honourable
MEH SHARP, KO.,
Chairman, Military Service. “
Commission.