Extract from Hon. Mr. W.H. Bell's speech
at the meeting of Legislative Council
on 27th September, 1934.
32
"I regret to see that the salary of the Head of our Police Force and Fire Brigade is in future to be reduced. If the salaries of all Government officials were to be reduced
proportionately - as
firm in the Colony
has happened in practically every mercantile
then no exception could be taken. This,
however, seems to be a solitary instance and one naturally enqui
res for the reason.
The Government has, for a number of years,
been building up a staff of trained police officers and I understand that this process is nearing completion and that when the present I.G.P. retires the custom of appointing a Cadet Class I to the post will cease. The salaries Commission recommended that when the change was effected the proposed
reduction should be made. The recommendation is given in
Clause 112 of the Report by the Salaries Commission. It is unfortunate, however, that no reason is given for the recommendation. With all due respect to the very able gentle- men who composed that Commission, I cannot find myself in agreement with them.
The Police Force consists of a number of men of different
nationalities functioning on land on the Island of Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories, and on sea within the waters of the Colony. In addition, the post of I.G.P. carries with it, at present, the position of Head of the Fire Brigade an important post. The Water Police are provided with launches some of which are armed with 3-pounder guns and machine guns, carry searchlights etc., and have to deal with acts of piracy within the waters of the Colony.
It is obvious that the Head of such a Force must have great responsibility. Riots have taken place in this Colony