Transient rature of Population.
5.
The Minority Races.
British.
Indian.
Local Portuguese.
Eurasian.
6.
ம்
-3.
The transient nature of the greater part of the
Chinese population is clearly shown by the fact that at
the 1931 census only 38.67 per cent. of the urban
population claimed residence for over ten years, 25.64
per cent. residence for over fifteen years and 15.86
residence for over 20 years.
It is probable that in the present population these
percentages would be found to be greatly reduced owing to
the displacement of population during the enemy occupation
and it is by no means unlikely that a third of the present
Chinese inhabitants have become residents only since the
re-occupation of the Colony.
The civilian population of British race and
nationality was 6,684 in 1931. It is impossible now to
give even an approximate figure. The numbers increase
steadily as those who were repatriated return to the
Colony.
In 1931 the Indian civilian commmity comprised
3,475 persons, including a large number of police officers.
Today it probably comprises not more than 500 to 800
persons but members of the Indian community regard it as
likely that the 1931 figure may again be reached in the
not very distant future.
The local Portuguese (i.e. those born in Hong Kong,
Macao or China) numbered 3,198 in 1931 and it seems
likely that there has been little change since that date.
It must be emphasized that the local Portuguese, of
all the inhabitants of the Colony, are the most permanent
element and have the highest claim to regard Hong Kong as
their home.
At the last census only 837 persons were returned as
Eurasians.
The majority of the local Eurasians were
enumerated among the Chinese.
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