the title "volunteer" has no equivalent in H.M.Naval Forces and that the relation of the "volunteers" to petty officers and men of the Royal Navy and of the Hong Kong R.N.V.R. would not be easy to define. Questions of considerable difficulty might easily arise in relation to "command" and discipline, and it is not to be expected that the naval disciplinary code should be capable of meeting such difficulties satisfactorily.
Although it is necessary to recognise the anomalous character of the se proposals it may be assumed that the volunteers would be anxious to make the scheme a success and would be careful, in their relations with the rest of the crew, to avoid anything which might tend to me the position of the volunteers impossible. My Lords think- that, with good will on both sides, the difficulties which ju are in theory inherent in any such scheme need not be allme to arise in practice and on the understanding that every volunteer will on mobilisation be prepared, unless he receives commissioned or warrant rank, to forego his special
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privilges as a "volunteer" and to accept the equivalent status and carry out the duties of a naval rating, their Lordships concur in the foregoing proposals.
My Lords consider that the regulations of the force should provide that "Volunteers" must obey the orders of any officer of the Hong Kong R.N.V.R. and of any Officers of the Royal Navy serving in the ship of war maintained by the Hong Kong Government. Unless holding commissions or warrants they should not be empowered to give orders to any member of the crew of the vessel and there would be no right of command in time of peace as between Officers of the Hong Kong R.N.V.R. and Officers R.N., not serving with the Hong Kong R.N.V.R. The volunteers would not be subject to the orders of naval ratings employed by the Hong Kong Goverment. It is understood that the volunteers will receive free kit and free messing but no
remuneration...