2
20/2/46
| From L.M.C. balthof.
Mr. B.D. Edmonds,
is a petition for financial compensation
by married men of the H.K. Government service, who complied with the H. K. Govt. Order of 1940 re evacuation of womenfolk and allege that, as a result of their compliance, they have incurred expenses which were avoided by those who refused to obey the order and had their womenfolk interned.
?
Reply that representations of this nature cannot be considered by this office unless they come through the usual official channels of the Hong Kong Govt. and that the writers should, therefore, if they wish, raise the matter on their return to Hong Kong and after the civil administration has been resumed.
Mr. B.D. Edmonds,
(Sgd) A.H.D. Humphrey.
12.3.46.
You spoke re this.
G)
addressed to the Under Secretary of State, is a request from Mr. Calthrop, Hong Kong Police Superintendent, and Mr. Crattwell, Hong Kong Cadet, that financial compensation be granted to them as married officers of the Hong Kong Government who complied with the Government's order in June, 1940 and evacuated their wives to Australia and who thereby incurred expenses in connection with their wives and families which were not incurred by those who failed to comply with the order.
2.
They contend that they incurred expenses
(i)
for accommodation of their wives for
6 weeks in Manilla en route to Australia and
(ii) for accommodation of their wives and
families in Australia up to December, 1941, which compared with others who legitimately or worse still with no right kept their wives and children in the Colony, has resulted in financial loss.
They also contend that the allowances made to their families during internment which have been deducted from the accrued salary paid to them on liberation, represent a further financial loss which was not incurred by officers whose wives and families were interned and maintained free in the Camp.
3. As compensation they suggest that they, as married officers who were interned and whose wives and families were not interned, should receive a financial adjustment in the form of a separation allowance of possibly by cancellation in their cases of the 10% deduction from accrued salary should that deduction become a permanent charge.
4. They contend that it is no cogent argument that they were greatly relieved that their families escaped internment.
5. There is undoubtedly very much ill-feeling in Hong Kong regarding the evacuation order of June,
1940,