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24 LA
243
C
4232/0355
2.
the Dockyard force. If, however, the Admiralty were to
improve the conditions of the Dockyard force, the Colonial
Government might be impelled to make still further advances
in the pay and prospects of the Colonial force.
have
My Lords that therefore come to the conclusion
that the best solution of the whole question would probably be for the Dockyard and other Naval Establishments at Hong
Kong to be policed by the Colonial Police force.
This question was the subject of discussion
between the Admiralty and the Colonial Office in 1902, but
the matter was not then proceeded with as the Governor of
Hong Kong considered that it would not be expedient for the
Colonial Government to attempt to police the Dockyard in
view of the great difficulty at that time experienced in
recruiting the Police force of the Colony, vide, Colonial
E
1902 office letter dated the 11th February 1903, No. 4232/1963
It is understood that this difficulty has now been overcome.
I am accordingly to request that the Secretary of
State will consider the matter, and that My Lords may be
informed whether the Colonial Government would now be
prepared to take over the policing of the Naval Establishment
at Hong Kong, and if so, under what conditions and at what
cost to the Admiralty.
ST.
I am
sir,
Tour obedient Servant,
Whumpreme