.1111 Beaver Hall Hill,
MONTREAL.
6th December, 1943.
MOST
CRIST
R. P. Morris
He
Mr. Morris iş the Senior wireless engineer of the Hong Kong Government. looks extremely tired and ill and is obviously in nood of a long rost.
He is jumpy and finds it difficult to sit still or to settle down. He wishes it to be made`clear that ho took advantage of the offer of repatriation only on instructions from ir. Gimson. He is prepared to serve, immediately if necessary, in any capacity which the London authorities may deem necessary and he is interested in the pos-
sibilities of reconstruction work in Hong Kong.
His family, whom he has not seen for four years, are in Australia, and I suggested to him that the best thing he could do would be to take his leave in Australia with his family before starting scrious work. On the understanding that the Colonial Government did not wish to employ him again immediately he welcomed this idea; his position is simply that ho holds himself at the disposal of the Colonial Office. Until further notice he will remain in Montreal c/o Mir. J.
Paterson, British Trade Commissioner.
fir. Morris is in possession of technical information in regard to radio communications which is not obtainable from any other quarter; I proposed therefore that after a couple of weeks rest he should write a detailed report of the cxisting situation in Hong Kong so far as he know it in regard to transmitters and receivers, coupled with his recommendations as to the minimum requirements of staff and cquip- ment necessary to set up Hong Kong as a going concern on its recapture. Mr. Morris, who was kept outside internment for four months following the surrender, had an unrivalled opportunity of estimating the damage to the transmitters and the repairs which the Japanese were able to make in the Colony's communication system.
No one knows better than lir. Morris what the minimum requirements for the Colony are in the period following its recapture and it scored to me that a preliminary detailed technical report from him on this subject would be useful to the Reconstruction Department at home. Mr. Morris will also write a short account of his personal experiences and activities during the siege. Both reports will be submitted to the High Commissioner in Ottawa for transmission to London in duc course.
In conversation with mo, Mr. Morris made the following points:-
Camp morale has been good but is deteriorating rapidly owing to the food shortage and the lack of medical supplies. Rations are still two meals daily with no toa, milk, butter or jan. Littlo mail has been received and the Red Cross representative, working as he does in great difficulties, has not proved satisfactory nor forceful enough. Interees are paid 25 military yon per month but prices in the camp canteen are high and supplies limited.
JULY ARRESTS
are:-
Mr. Morris gave the clearest account of the July arrests. The men concerned
64251-1
Mr. Pennefeather-Evans
Mr. W. S. Scott
Mr. T. L. Anderson
Mr. H. S. Rees
Hr. D. V. Waterton
Roberts and F. 7. Bradley
both of the Police Force
Radio Technician
Engineer seconded from Cables and Wireless
Sr. Wireless Inspector
:: both of the Sanitary Department
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