The humble petition of the undersigned officers of the Hong Kong Police Force.
Sheweth,
That much as officers enjoy the privilege, the sum of $0.45 per cent of the total revenue of the Colony apportioned to your petitioners would mean an average of only some $19 more to their monthly salaries.
That your petitioners do not think it is necessary to call to mind the justice and fairness with which the Government of Her Majesty's Colonies have at all times been administered, irrespective of class or creed. Suffice it to say that they appeal, through you, to the traditions of high and liberal government such as distinguished the period of Her Majesty's long and glorious reign, on the eve of which we are about to enter, to accord to them a privilege which, if granted them, would be perfectly in consonance with the high sense of justice that has so successfully and so beneficently guided the Rule which so justly and so prominently claims the admiration not only of the great nations of the civilised world, but of the native races of India, Australasia, and China.
And, as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray,
The 26th day of May, 1897
Thay Rada Bandannalies.