8
Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks they suggest that in
the event of the Volunteer Reserve Association and the
:
Military Telephonist Organization developing, a Volunteer
Reserve Ordinance should be passed placing the liabilities
and privileges of the Members in time of war on a legal
basis.
I have given careful consideration
to this suggestion and have come to the conclusion that the
undertaking given by Members of the Volunteer Reserve Às-
-sociation to enrol themselves in the event of necessity
under the existing Volunteer Ordinance as the Hongkong
Volunteer Reserve Company is a sufficient guarantee for
their services being available in war time and does provide
for their liabilities and privileges being placed at such
time on a legal basis. I am considering the advisability
of allowing the Members of the Prison, Sanitary and Public
Works Departments who have volunteered for service with
the Military Telephones in war to join the Reserve Associa-
-tion though they have not reached the age limit of 35.
This would have the effect of bringing them under the
Volunteer Ordinance in war time. I am averse to special
legislation for the Reserve as I think this might deter
7.1029
men