439
!
14
Volunteer Fire Brigade.
31. The constant rumours of the wholesale incendiarism and of possible defection in the ranks of the regular Chinese firemen made the Chinese community anxious to strengthen the Brigade, and to stiffen the Regulars against any attempt on their loyalty; and at a word from the Superintendent of the Brigade sufficient volunteers were forthcoming for this purpose. They were passed through a short course of training, and though their services are no longer required, they are to-day undoubtedly more useful citizens for their brief training in fighting fires.
St. John Ambulance Association.
32. Under Mr. E. Ralphs, with Mr. Ho Kom-tong in charge of the Chinese contingent, over 100 Chinese joined, and they proved very useful in connection with the unfortunate collapse at Po Hing Fong. As the uniform of the Corps somewhat resembles that of the Volunteers, the members were sometimes subjected to jeering comments from the crowd; and consequently strong representations were made to Mr. Chow Shou-son and me, and to the Government, that permission should be given to wear the badge of the Association. This permission was refused on the grounds that the more Chinese who were mistaken for Volunteers the better at a time when there was fear of an invasion, and, further, that the appearance of a large number of red-cross armlets might lend colour to such fear, and might revive the panic. The reasons appeared to be quite sound, and should be kept in view.
Government Compensation in case of Death or Injury.
33. On the 22nd June the Government issued the following notice:
The Government calls upon all citizens to continue their ordinary occupation. It guarantees full protection to life and property; and, if any person lose his life as a direct con- sequence of being engaged in carrying on his customary work, the Government will pay to his family a sum of $2,000. Appropriate payment will be made in the case of injury.' This device of paying compensation was suggested by me to the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax in the 1922 strike, and was again recommended by Mr. Chow Shou-son and me on the 20th June at Government House. It was not fully tested on the previous occasion as the offer was made public only a day or two before the end of the trouble. This time it has not sufficed of itself to prevent all servants and others leaving their work-that would be too much to expect in any case-but my examination of a large number of those who have remained faithful has convinced me that it has been the deciding factor in many cases. It stands to reason that men who have never possessed even $100 at one time will be greatly moved by an offer of $2,000 paid in a lump sum. In my companies and those of some of my friends the addition of $1,000 to this benefit by the employers did definitely induce the servants to remain. Men of the clerical class are those most