t
Inclosure 5.
451
modified so as to eliminate training on days other than
Sundays and holidays.
It was accordingly modified by
Major-Hart-Synnot at my request by the addition to para-
-graph 18 providing for such modification. A modification
was also made to paragraph 8 to reduce the period of
attachment to Regular Troops in the case of Officers with
service as Officers of Volunteer Infantry.
5.
This Modified Scheme was circulat-
-ed to the Sub-Committee and considered by it at a Meeting
held on the 6th. June. I attach a noŝe of the proceedings.
All the Un-official Members except one voted against
compulsory training. This result was very disappointing
after the favourable reception which the proposal had at
first received. The strongest opposition came from Messrs.
Robertson and Keswick who represent the two large Sugar
Refineries and the two large Engineering and Shipbuilding
Tards (the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited, of
which Mr. Keswick is a Director, and the Taikoo Engineer-
-ing and Shipbuilding Company which is managed by Messrs.
Butterfield and Swire), on the ground that their skilled
employees could not be spared even on Sundays and holidays.
I am not satisfied that the objection is altogether well
founded,