C.0.1)
TELEGRAM from the Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies. Dated 17th January.
(Received Colonial Office 10.50 am,
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 c c d
Number of Sikh Police have recently taken
to wearing large Kirpans 16 inches long as a result
of Akali propaganda. They refuse to abandon the
practice and I consider that they should be dismissed
if they persist but I do not want to take this course without your consent in view of possible effect on opinion in India. There is, of course, no objection to:
20
e
small Kirpans as previously warn but these large knives are not only objectionable as apparently intended to by symbolical of defiance to authority but also dangerous in view of Sikhs' addiction to drinking. Reply urgently required as present position bad for discipline,