6
and everything pointed to a substantial increase in the near
future. The Club was opened with great enthusiam and during the
afternoon no less than twenty four people (almost all novices)
went into the air including several women. I understand ten of
the Hong Kong Volunteers have already put their names down.
I enclose some photographs of the opening meeting with an
explanation written on the back.
What is concerning me at the moment is that it
Beens apparent the two sea planes we have at present will be
quite inadequate to deal with both the civil instruction and
the Volunteer Wing and I consider it a good opportunity now
that I am in England to see whether I cannot get some assistance
from either the Air Ministry or the War Office by the contribu-
tion of two planes to be used exclusively for the instruction of
the Volunteer Defence Force.
I would like to know
(1) Whether the Air Ministry or the War Office will assist
as suggested and
(2) What conditions would be imposed.
If I could have this information and if assistance is forth-
coming then I can on my return to Hong Kong take the matter up
and ascertain whether the general circumstances are such as to
warrant the assistance and whether the conditions can be
complied with.
The point has been raised that as the Club is
international as to membership it is not a fit object for
assistance. My answer is that the Portugese, the Indians and
the Chinese who are and will be members are the same type and
class of person who took over the Post Defences and the Special
Police during the Great War and for four years did their duties
most efficiently in the cause of the Empire. No opposition
was then placed in their way but their services were gratefully
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accepted. I have no reason to think that they would not again
give their services if the occasion arose and they are properly
led.
It is suggested that this is a novel application
and without precedent.
To this I say the assistance received
by Volunteers in heavy armaments is analagous and even if
there is no precedent the necessity of an Empire Aerial Defence
Force for the future is in itself sufficient and an adequate
reason for what I am asking.
May I take this opportunity of thanking you for
all the kindness and courtesy you have extended to me in
connection with this matter.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(fymed) with thenton
To
Sir Henry McAnally,
Air Ministry,
Astral House,
Kingsway,
London, W.0.2.
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