15-
(2)
I said, last year, that I was not fond of the words
"Brewin Charity".
This year I positively hate them.
When
I approached your department, I was compelled to mention the
Charity; it would have been affectation not to do so, and I
felt it was some excuse for my interference. I founded it
in the hope that it would prove the first step in establishing
a far-reaching system of Workmen's Compensation; it seems
likely now to prove nothing but a hindrance.
I infer from the nature of the Hongkong Government's
reply that the Governor takes little, if any, personal interest
in the matter, and that my recommendations are not held to
have any urgency. On this point I should be grateful for
your opinion, and also on a second point as to what pressure,
if any, the Colonial Office is prepared to bring to bear on
Hongkong; I can understand that in many cases the Office will
be unwilling to over-rule local opinion. I appreciated very
highly the kindness and consideration with which you treated
my interference, but I did not gather that you were in any way
shocked by the past neglect of disabled workmen by the Hongkong
Government, or that you were conscious that there was a gap in
the administration which ought to be filled without delay, and
I am anxious to know whether I can expect from the Colonial