since it would be something of a disaster if at a moment
of emergency in the Colony it was discovered that a great
part of the trained personnel and of the equipment had
vanished into China. As you know, the Colony's defence
scheme requires sufficient members of the Brigade to be
of service with the military in hospitals, etc., in time
of war, and the Passive Air Defence measures also provide
for St. John personnel to be a source of supply for those
arrangements. Apart from this, the cessation of the St. John
Ambulance activities at their stations in the new territories
might land the Government in an embarrassingly expensive
scheme to provide substitute arrangements.
We understand that Sir Geoffry Northcote has told
Colonel Sleeman that he will at once look into the position
and see what is to be done, and I am asked to write to you
to say both we and the St. John Ambulance headquarters
would be most grateful for all the attention and assistance
you can give in the present unsatisfactory state of affairs
which involve matters of great importance for the security
of the Colony.
Yours sincerely,
16