HONG KONG
SECRET
sir,
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Colonial office,
Downing Street,
May, 1939.
~3 MAY 18
22:10:38
14:12:38
28:3:39
I have the honour to refer to your secret
despatch of the 7th of April, 1938, with which was
forwarded the draft of an Ordinance to make provision
with respect to military service, which, it is proposed,
should be included in the Hong Kong Defence Scheme for
subsequent enactment should an emergency arise. I have
given careful consideration to this draft legislation, in
consultation with the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council.
2. The general policy of taking powers to make
available for essential public duties in case of
emergency the services of male British subjects resident
in the Colony is one which I fully commend having regard
to the circumstances of Hong Kong.
3. I enclose copies of letters from the Admiralty,
War Office and Air Ministry from which it will be seen
that it is recommended that the reserve which will be
made available by the adoption of the policy proposed,
should be regarded as providing men available for
GOVERNOR
SIR GEOFFRY NORTHCOTE, K.C.M. G»
etc.,
etc.,
etc.
allocation
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