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Secondly, such evacuation entailed a blundering and unjust
racial discrimination amongst British citizens of Hong Kong.
Thirdly, owing to the manner in which the Government of the
Colony operated such Order, exemption was granted to many who had
no right to it and many justifiably entitled to such exemption,
were unable to obtain it.
This dis-satisfaction, indignation and unrest were increased
in the minds of the law abiding citizens of this Colony by the
Hong Kong Government's subsequent notification appearing in the
Press on the 7th and 8th November: for this new order penalised
those who were obedient to the original Order and left, and
condoned the disobedience of those who ignored the original Order
and remained.
so.
Your Petitioners therefore humbly request that the Right
Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies will give the
necessary directions to the local Government by which all those
evacuates who desire to return to the Colony may be permitted to do
Further, that the necessary financial assistance by way of
free passage may be provided without delay and that, if the
necessary financial arrangements cannot be made forthwith, those
who are able in the first place to advance the expense of a return
passage may do so without prejudice to their right to recover such
financial assistance as and when the necessary scheme can be
arranged.
Also that permission should be given for the return to
the Colony, at their own expense, of any who may have been absent
from the Colony on leave or otherwise when the Evacuation Order was
made.
Further that those who acting on the advice of the Local
Government, remain away, may have the same financial arrangements made for them as were made when evacuation was compulsory and be given an undertaking that Government will keep the situation
2.
continually