Page
+
;painful and terrible experience owing to her military unpreparedness and the nation must see to it that in future we are not be found napping as we have I saw stated in a been in the past Lether to one of the newspapers here that the Bill. passed, will impos
of Hongkong a Hilti
finally found b) he necessary
upon she
HONGKONG DAILY THE
PRESS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18T, 1917.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Lattended the Legislative Council meeting this afternoon. It was interest-
to write to these gentlemen, and usk if they have any valid reason why they should not join the Volunteer Thus in THE MILITARY SERVICE BILL
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONOKONG December, 1915 I interviewed at Governs ment House that is before the Registra
DAILY PRESS."] tion Bill cans into effect 76 persons who might have joined the Volunteers but had not done so. I frankly confess that the i majority of them were medically unfit, and 1 exempted various others for busi- that is the point. Again in September, 1810-48-atters went out from this office under my direction asking those to whom they were addressed the way and where fore they had not curulled, nad again, as late as January last, another 2 letters went out, and I have at the present womens list bure, very considerabiu list, which requires careful examination and which will probably form the basis of the first summonses under this Bill in it is passed. Those are hard facts. As
2
gonerally held that the show is puerile, and 1 longed for the slide of a certain elderly but robust Manchester City Councillor whose maiden speech, after the introduction of a plausible but unneces
polished councillors sary municipal Bill, made the other thirty-ning more shake with laughter. He asked: "Are
a lot of dummies? Not us." damned the Bil
Thin
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clamation they are deemed to be on actual military service and, therefore, when that proclamation was issued at the outbreak of war the Volunteers came under the pro- visions of the Army Act and they have teen under ever since. The Bill makes! practically no change in that situation. It is true that in England the Army Act to German militarism, I do not
is applied year by year and is not applied Think it will do anything of the kiud. indefinitely for the duration of the war,
The Governor, Hear hear), German" but quat is simply the continuation of nees reasons but still I got fow men;ing merely in confirming the opinion militarism no aggressive militarism. uz, uld praction dating back for stent and it has liced fostered entirely for the purpose of conquest whereas the objecy Years and Parlament is nierely of his Bill, I take it, is to make the clinging to old form Even the curious Hofence of this Colony more efficient and cital at the beginning of the Army it that each individual, as Ft Act that it is illegni to onintain an army rosible, dos his fair share of duty in times of peace is retained. The old in the
Empire
behalf. The working practice is continued, also 1 think, be regulations under the Bill do not appear tause it is found that the annual renewal to me to be at all onerous, and no doubt of the Army Act is a convenient time for if modifications are required they will be making amendments in the main Army considered, and considered fully, and if Act itself. It is also useful andes the will be system of Parliamentary Government at Home as a lever by which an unpopular Hon. Mr. S. H. DOWELL-Sir, the Government- Government not in grond objection which the Chamber of sympathy with the Country might be Tommorce had to this Bill has been compelled to resign office. With a refusal removed by the insertion of the class to pass the annual Army Act Elf discipline limiting its duration, while the question would rease in the Army and the Govern. of age-limit, which we thought too high.ment would be forced to resign. As that has been dealt with in the Regulations.as been the position all along with ve I take it that the Government are satis died that in the interests of efficiency and gard to the Volunteers and Reserves since an equal division of the burden, the Bill war broke out I fail to see any reason... is accessory, and I consequently do not that my case has been made out--for any to put any unnecessary obstacles in special legislation for safeguarding the way of its enforcement for the dura rights of labeas Corpus, public meeting, tion of the war. There is, however, one criticism of the Government or the rights appent which I desire to make to your to petition for the redress of grievances, Excellency on behalf of the commercial All of these rights have been exercised Soumanity who are working with very here from time to time and have been mich depleted staffs. It is that what exercised without question. As regards Justices of the Pence made a point that attack on the waste of time in the form the re-organisation under the the proposal that, in future, Regulations, civilians in business would be better e-Volunteer Reserves, to contended that Bill, may lake, it shall aim at the maxi-though inade by the Governor-in-Loun-ployed making silver were not for the maximum time was occupied in pro- AUGUST 29TH TO SEPTEMBER 5TH. mum efficiency with the minimum calleil, should be inid on the table of the men who did night work were not fit for doing the minimum of results, and he up the time of the men and more Legislative Council and not come into day work. Well, this night work, does especially with the minimum waste of force until approved by the Council, I not amount to very much, thanks to the pleaded for reform.
agreed to.
that time. Speaking from my experience submit that is rather a cumbersome and
· 28 a private in the Reserves, films always semed to my unmilitary mind that the degree of efficiency or inefficiency we have atininert has been reached, I will not say with the maximum amount of wasts of bart with Fory serious waste of ting. I have aliended muny a dril when parently. through taisenrringe of arrangements or lack of arrangements, or something, we have spent most of our time doing nothing. I have attended Field Days who the same state of affairs has appeared to obtain. I endorse what the Hon. member
representing
the
!:
On the second reading of the Military ill Mr. Pollock very ably Service: Bill expressed the public view that there is no necessity for the measure, and, in addition, adversely criticised it clause by clause.
said just now there are very few who wave absolutely refused to act on the invitations which have been extended to them to join the Volunteers, but still there. are a few and there ought not to be une This compulsory measure is justified there is one recalcitrant, because very man in this great crisis ought to come and de bir duty especially when by doing his duty he is actually releasing. Bghting! men to go to the Front I just mention. Mr. Dodwell practically said that now these few facts in order that the actual it had been limited to the period of the war, and six months afterwards it met teulu may be known. I do not wish to labour them because I am glad to see that the majority of Unofficial Members the views of the Committee of the Cham- He made a strong accept the principle of compulsion. Theber of Commerce. honourable member who represents the
watch should exempt him from doing anything military under the Bill-well,
numerical strength of our local furces.
I understood Mr. Anton to argue that; I au told that a man has to put in night
we could not do too much so-called mili- work about once in seven or eight weeks. I do not think that along will de a very tary pidgin As a Government nominee, great deal of harm. Anyway, I do not believe that any of the men who are doing and temporary residem here in this tight work would willingly be the interests of Messrs. Jurcing, blatteson. exempted from it. They all enjoy it. As & Co, kid, only, and apparently of ad regards decorations, I do not think we can properly legislate on the point and I have written home to the Secretary of State to ask him what the position of the men under this compulsory Ordinance will be in that connection. I have stated that, of course, I take it that the services of men originally in the Volunteers will count with their services in the new force for such decorations. I will let you know the reply from the Secretary of State.
The Bill was then put to the meeting and passed its second reading. Cu the went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause
slow method of legislating in matters high niny ery often s tribing but whien are very often of some genes. With regard to the question of decora tions, the decorations are awards given by H. M. the King. They nie governed by Royal Warrants and this Legislature would be going beyond its power if it presumed to interfere with the Reguin, tions ander which these decorations are given. The Warrants relating to the Long Service medal and the Colonial Service medal were issued in 1898 and they con Justices of the Peace Bil with template that certain Regulations would regard to musketry. Last year Σ
be made under the Warrants arranging left my office at 3.30 or several occasions the details and the conditions under to spend the rest of the day at King's which the medals might be obtained Park Range ring ton rounds. one nerasion I only hired seven rounds. Even those Regulations were limited in Now, Sir, this apparently unnecessary scope. They cannot be made by the focal waste of time may be unavoidable, but authorities. They must be submitted by most of the men de not think so. It H.E. the Governor to the Secretary of the irritates them when they have arrears of State work in the office to get level with, and approval of the Secretary of State my personal opinion is that it is at the for War, Eseu in matters of minoy bottom of whatever misgivings the public detail no power is given to the local may have with regard to this Bill authorities, except recommendation, and 1. therefore. rarnestly hope,
Sir, it would follow that the local legislatura that if what I have said is a surprise to has no power to dial with theas decora you, if you cannot credit it, that you will tions given by the Crown. Your Excel-not depart from the policy adopted in the
take investigations.
ertain that lency may see fit to make recommenda
possible
out compulsion.
for
the
Colonies for
On Clause 6,
I suppose unthung ing platitudes were to be expected.
The Attorney General made along speech (as he is paid and told to do), gibly passing over Mr. Pollock's objec tions on the plea that the Government were so charming and considerate that nobody head worry, He sought to show, also, that Mr. Pollock's arguments, based on less stringent measures at home and elsewhere, could not apply to Hongkong, which was quite a different, place, it
seemed to me that he might just as well "This is nothing to what have, said:
will be done to your wives and families holiday-making further north at
Hon. Mr. POLLock--With referencs to that clause I should like to have some pledge from the Government that the civilian rights referred to by me will be We-hai-wei rospected.
The GOVERNON-I will say that we will
pust.
His Excellency the Governor said that the only point he need go into was the question of conscription, and that he had sent out seventy-five notices one mouth, and a smaller number each succeeding month, calling on new-comers, etc., to join up, and that most of them were unfit for military duties. No one pre-
up and tell him he was arguing against ent seemed to have the gamption to get the Bill, and that a weekly list in the Gazette of the names of those to whom notices had been sent would have saved
If HE the Governor and HLE. the
the Official members of the Council, who tions on the point but I do not think it Hon. Mr. POLLOCK Thank you. Sir. are also privates in the Reserves, will would be proper for this Council to pre On Clause 8. bear out what way.
If it is
sume to deal with these matters under Hon. Mr. POLLOCK With regard to under the,
re-organisation scheme to eliminate everything
With regard to the proposal Clause 8, after listening carefully to the this Bill that not absolutely necessary to attain the desired degree of to amend Clause 11, I do not personally remarks made by the Hon. and learned efficiency, and have all to eliminate that sue any objection to that amendment. It Attorney-General, I do not think he has waste of our time, which I maintain has anakes, the present meaning rather clear given any good and sufficient reason why existed in the past, I venture to predict, and does not alter it. I do not know, the lunate approval of the regulations Sir, that, if at the end of this war the Sir, that I need say very much on the should not be vested in the Legislative
Council. I do not think Sir, if any im Government want a permanent Defence question of the Regulations. I took it Corps, they will get it voluntarily with that the remarks of the hon. and learned portant regalations had to be hurried all this other
member representing the Justices of the righ, that it would be difficult to get General had wished to insult the Com-
Legislative Council together to consider The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-1 should like Pence were intended more by way of to deal shortly with the special points advice and assistance than by way of the special regulations. I do not imagine mittee of the Chamber of Commere ther for one moment that these regulations could not have been more sucessful, for raised by the honourable and learned opposition or criticism of any material will be amended so very frequently that they vably ignored the pulite strictures member representing the Justices of the principles in the Regulations. Of course they will add unnecessarily in the burdens of Mr. Dodwell. Perhaps I should Peace. The first point he referred to was the Regulations will come before the of the Legislative Council. Now, Sir, admire their negative cleverness, as they the question of the age limit. He point Council in commitice. 1 think the the general body of citizens of this must have known the redneed weight of ed out that the age in England under the uthorities always pay due regard to the Colony have a great interest in the the Commitice's opinion owing to the Military Service Act is from 18 to 41, and the suggested inferenco was that the necessities of civilian life and I am con-wording of these regulations, and I cer- absence of the Hon. Mr. Holyoak, Hon- age limit bere was too high because it fident that they will endeavour, as far tainly think that the Legislative Council Mr. Shellira and Messrs, C. M. Ede, and was 55. The objects of the two enactments as possible, to reconcile those claims with should be consulted. Therefore, I beg GT. Edkins, especially as one of the to move as an amendment, that the fol remaining members is in "D" Co. and are entirely different. The object of the the military claims of the colony.
lowing sub-clauso be added to Clause 8.--- English Military Service Act to pro vide an army for the Front--an army in the able speech of the member repre- force until approved by the Legiative have dared to commit its members to a
The GOVERNOR.There is only one point. Such regulations shall not come into another in the Police Reserve.
How such a depleted Committee should' which will take the offensive against one senting the Justices of the Peace that I Council" I should say that this is a Bill threatening to deprive them of their of the most highly trained armies the need notice and that is the reason forense, if there were no other case in this world bas ever soon and which will have compulsory military service, Wejl, gentle-world. when the matter ought to civilian rights without calling a general! To undergo very strenuous and severa fighting. The object of this Military men, there has been a great deal of dis-referred to the legislative Council, as it meeting passes my comprehension. Wo Service Bill is to provide an auxiliary cussion in this Colony as to whether we affects the freedom of action of the still have only a vague assurances from our present Governor that those rights force for use in the Colony and not for are doing cur full duty in the matter of civilian population of this Colony.
Subsequently the following amendimon will not be invaded. It is no excuse to offensive military operations at all. The supplying manhood to take part in this objects of the two mengures, therefore, great war. My own feeling, I frankly 10 Clause 8, being sub-clause 3) was unde say that the Committee secured a modi- are entirely dissimilar. Another reason, confess it, was that the best way would be on the proposition of the Hon. rfication of the more drastic provisions of
course, why the higher age limit is make your Volunteer forces as strong Pollock No amendment of the First taken is that the material from which this forca can be built up is, in Hong kong, very restricted and it is desirable that all the material there is-it may not
of
The age limit in Singapore and
as possible and reduce your garrison as Appendix to the Second Schedule shall much as possible in consonance with that come into force until it has been approved strength and thus release fighting men for by the Legislative Council.” ****
Un Claase 10.
the Bill. They could have doro that
and reserved their freedom to condemn
the measure generally. Mr. Shewan tells
me he could not oppose the Bill because the Chamber of Commerce. got all they
the Front, The discussion led to thes Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-I was glad to hear wanted:
I saw no
talked over in undertones, and the third reading was immediately gabbled through and passed in five minutes, hand raised either for or against, nor did I hear anything, so it was passed or not passed with that indifference which one would expect a $75 vote to go through for repairing the roof of the Lunatic Asylum.
be the best from a physical point of view appointment of the Military Commission your Excellency say just how, as Was Surely His Excellency the Governor, and they went further than I did. They suggested at the last meeting of the Coun will feel obliged to exempt Messrs. Dod- ay be made use of for that: 10 recommended that compulsion for active eil, that Me Bill would be for six months Straits Settlements is also 56. I think military service ontside the Colony should after the declaration of peace, as intimni.well, Lung, Pars and Stabb from their the honourable member made rather much point of the fact that the older be introduced. Both proposals were laided by the Secretary of State. Also, inilitary duties in view of their public members or the community in Singapore
porr before the Secretary of State for the your speech just now, with reference in services in this respect.
The Committee stage was rapidly are under a different organisation from Colonies and he decided in favour of local service, that you would communicate with the volunteers. I do not profess to know compulsory service. This compulsion is the Secretary of State on the subject. I exactly in what way it is proposed that in order to enable every single available will forward the communication received the Civil Guard in Singapore shall be man to come forward to do bis duty and by me, and previously multioned, through used but as far as I can gather it is so permit of the reduction of the garrison the proper channels for the consideration merely a modified form of training which as far as possible. Although I said in of your Excellency, And in view of what has been adopted for the older men who may remarks of the 2nd of August, to your Excellency has just said, I will not are less physically fit. Under the Reguin which the hon, member has referred, that now move the amendment which I mon- Lions made in this Bill the very use the War Office had determined to make tioned in my speech to the Council.
Council then resumed. principle has been adopted. Men over no further reduction of the garrison,.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL MOV the third 15 are to undergo a modified training less since I spoke this war's necessity bas strenuous than the younger men, and the compelled the War Ofice to reconsider reading of the Bill ⠀⠀ .
The COLONIAL SECRTARY seconded, and men over 50 years undergo a still lighter their decision and they have actually the Bill was theu read a third time and
of training The principle of train- made application to my honourable and ing adopted here is essentially the exme gallant friend who sits on my right to
passed. as in the Straits and of course the age withdraw still further units from this in the Straits and the age proposed by this Bill are exactly the same.
very depleted garrison. Now has the.
A meeting of the Finance Committee Sir, the next point that the hon. ad voluntary system given us every single learned meuber
man we ought to get? I am sorry to followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY preaid- made 1248 with regard
the Army
Act. Ife Bay I must answer No, it has not. Three ing. looked forward with a certain amount of are in this Colony certain persons who fear, apparently to the application of up to this date bave absolutely refused to
form
to
Then
Council then adjourned sine die.. FINANCE COMMITTEES
HARBOUR DEPARTMENT. The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of fifteen thousand four
vole Harbour taster's Department, D. Steam Launches, Other Charges, Repairs.
The vote was agreed to,
DREDGING THE HARBOUR.
Thus passed the second and third read- ings of an important amended Bill which the public have never seen not bad a chance of discussing in its new form.
Everybody agrees that there is no need for th Bill I admit it has been radical ly altered, but I maintain that it ought to be ended and not merely amended. If Hongkong accepts it without protest, then
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all I can say is that a larger building OVERCOATINGS, SUITINGS
than I suggested the other day is neces-
general mecing of the Chamber of Com merce, and, if this is called, and the Committee cannot convince the members that conscription. is necessary in view of the Secretary of States recently expressed opinion to the contrary, then a petition to the latter may induce His Majesty
AND
SPORTING MATERIALS.
the Army Act to the local auxiliary come forward. I do not want to make hundred dollars ($15,400) in aid of the. It only takes fivo members to call a forces for the indefinte period of the war, point of it, but still it is only right that and suggested that the procedure een- I should mention it, that we have not templated under the Volunteer Ordinance up-to-date been acting purely under a should be continued under the new Bill, voluntary system, but have been acting That procedure is being continued under a voluntary system plus a little Under the Volunteer Ordinance it pro vides that wherever volunteere are on active military service they shall come under the Army Act, and they have been on active military service ever since the war broke out. By His Majesty's Pro
BEST ENGLISH CLOTHS- The Governor recommended the Council
gentle persuasion. We have a little B to vote & sum of one hundred and thirty in this Colony called Registration of Sve thousand dollars ($135,003) in aid of Persons Bill. The instructions to the the vote Public Wales Extraordinary, the King to disallow the Ordinance.
Miscellaneous," Dredging Yours faithfully, Police are to send monthly to this office Hongkong,
a return of new-comers who have not Harbour. joined the Volunteers. The next step is The vote was agreed to.
A. R. LOWE
Hongkong, 31st August, 1917.
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