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107
19.
At the beginning of November Civil Affairs Staff had been implemented up to only 18% of its approved strength. The position has now improved to the extent that some 32% of the personnel of the War Establishment are at work in the Colony. It must be emphasised therefore that the acute shortage of all grades of personnel, and to a still greater degree, the shortage of supplies of all kinds, have limited the effectiveness of the Administration in every sphere of its activities. It is probable that a serious breakdown in several of the branches has been prevented only by the public spirit of many ex-internees and ex- prisoners of war who voluntarily deferred their repatriation in order to assist the grossly over-taxed branches. The almost total absence of members of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff has presented special difficulties. These have to some extent been met by the assumption of new responsibilities by Chinese and locally engaged staff, and by the temporary employ- ment of persons who have had no previous connection with the Government service. These enforced innovations have met with a considerable measure of success and have brought to light new talents and capabilities.
20.
Rations and accommodation in the early days of the Administration were provided free of charge to the personnel of C.A.S. and of certain essential service organisations. At the present time unentitled personnel are charged for rations and accommodation at fixed rates, and provision has been made for cheap meals for the Administration's Chinese employees. Accommodation requisitioning and assessment of furniture are now under the control of a Quartering Commandant, who is steadily pursuing a policy of de-requisitioning in general and in particular the evacuation of Service personnel from the large hotels. It is hoped that the hotels will therefore shortly return to their normal function and be able to provide suitable accommodation for at least the vanguard of returning business men. A number of buildings have been requisitioned in order to provide social amenities for the Services and for Portuguese and Chinese employees. At present a total number of 117 buildings have been requisitioned by the Services and 50 by Civil Affairs, for all purposes. The public is uneasy over the extent of this requisitioning which must certainly be cut down, one way or another, during the next few months.
H.K.V.D.C.
21.
All members of the Volunteer Defence Corps are now on demobilization leave under Proclamation No.14. Many problems regarding members of the Corps and their No decision families remain, however, to be settled. has yet been given on the question of financial respons- ibility for demobilization benefits and pensions: reference has been made to the War Office in this connection. Considerable enquiries will be necessary before the status of Volunteers who were not treated as P.0.W's can be finally be decided. The re-employment of demobilized Volunteers also presents a problem for the immediate future, involving the placing of Chinese, Portuguese Eurasians and other nationals of widely differing qual- ifications.
22.
A preliminary check of expenditure shows that a sum of about HK$20,000,000.- has been spent on family