C
104//
than they reluctantly granted for
1892.
19.
to stem
A
I have attempted, therefore,
a middle course, and the Council has been willing to sanction
the passing of an Ordinance admittingly very large, on the understanding that
the Force will not be increased to the extent permitted unless on further consideration I find it necessary for
the protection of life and property.
It was not the time to enter into
the question of increasing or reducing the proportion of the various elements in the Police Force, such as the suggestion of increasing the Chinese element, of having more Sikh or East Indians and employing West Indians, because I have not
been able to form a definite opinion as to the relative merits of the existing component parts of the Force. But
of one fact there is no doubt in my mind, namely, that throughout Her Majesty's Colonies there is no place where at present there is more serious crime than in Hong Kong. I am not, therefore, prepared to adopt any of the sweeping changes which are readily and thoughtlessly proposed until I am satisfied of the necessity of such changes.
13.
The Force, then, will still consist of Europeans, recruited from England, and East Indians (including Sikhs) who have gained local knowledge