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Code Telegram
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FROM: TO:
FROM HONG KONG
Governor (Sir A. Northcote)
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
D. 22nd April, 1941 R. 23rd
No. 314 Confidential.
"
07.35 hrs.
not copied t
My despatch No. 72 of 31st March. Commission of Enquiry into Immigration Department under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice has now reported that Forrest Immigration Officer (1) failed to institute an adequate financial system in his department, (2) surreptitiously entered into an agreement giving a virtual monopoly of photographic and secretarial work in connection with filling of forms by illiterate persons after the Governor in Council had directed that no such monopoly should be granted, (3) knowingly appointed three undesirable persons to vacancies on his staff, two of which he retained despite instructions to the contrary, (4) on three known occasions displayed lack of tact and courtesy towards the public.
2.
Report adde that Immigration Officer laboured under great difficulty in that (1) owing to misapprehension as to the new department's functions it was over borne by flood of applications at the outset, (2) head office accommodation was insufficient and unsuitable, (3)
(3) insufficiently trained staff was availablé,(4) conditions of employment were not sufficiently attractive to produce suitable candidates, (5) undesirable secretarial agency frequently attempted to bribe the staff of the department.
3. Commissioners consider that these difficulties excuse many of the failings of the department. On inspection the Comission found that after accounting system had been set in order on Treasury advice all branches of the department were working efficiently in spite of unfavourable surroundings and consider that there was no reason why the department should not have operated normally from the start under a less temperamental head if proper accounting system instituted initially.
4. Commissioners conclude that Forrest has proved himself unfitted to be head of Immigration or any other department and blame the Government for selecting an unsuitable officer for this post. They comment on the unhelpful attitude towards the new department shown by the Treasury and Secretariat.
5. Principal recommendation
contained in the report is that Government most carefully consider the question of Forrest's retention in the public service. A supplementery confidential report mentions the names and records of certain other temporary officers in Immigration Department who are considered undesirable, These are being dealt with.
6. Report
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