CO537-1651 — Page 152

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.

44