CO885-11 — Page 13

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TILLIC.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-|

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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Volunteer Fire Brigade.

31. The constant rumours of the wholesale incendiarism and of possible defection in the ranks of the regular Chinese firemen made the Chinese community anxious to strengthen the Brigade, and to stiffen the Regulars against any attempt on their loyalty: and at a word from the Superintendent of the Brigade sufficient They were volunteers were forthcoming for this purpose. passed through a short course of training, and though their services are no longer required, they are to-day undoubtedly more useful citizens for their brief training in fighting fires.

St. John's Ambulance Association.

32. Under Mr. E. Ralphs, with Mr. Ho Kom-tong in charge of the Chinese contingent, over 100 Chinese joined, and they proved very useful in connection with the unfortunate collapse As the uniform of the Corps somewhat at Po Hing Fong. resembles that of the Volunteers, the members were sometimes subjected to jeering comments from the crowd; and consequently strong representations were made to Mr. Chow Shou-son and me, and to the Government, that permission should be given to wear the badge of the Association. This permission was refused on the grounds that the more Chinese who were mistaken for Volunteers the better at a time when there was fear of an invasion, and, further, that the appearance of a large number of red-cross armlets might lend colour to such fear, and might revive the panic. The reasons appeared to be quite sound, and should be kept in view.

Government Compensation in case of Death or Injury.

33. On the 22nd June the Government issued the following

notice :-

+

The Government calls upon all citizens to continue their ordinary occupation. It guarantees full protection to life and property; and, if any person lose his life as a direct con- sequence of being engaged in carrying on his customary work, the Government will pay to his family a sum of $2,000. Appropriate payment will be made in the case of injury." This device of paying compensation was suggested by me to the Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax in the 1922 strike, and was again recommended by Mr. Chow Shou-son and me on the 20th June at Government House. It was not fully tested on the previous occasion as the offer was made public only a day or two before the end of the trouble. This time it has not sufficed of itself to

prevent all servants and others leaving their work--that would too much to expect in any case-but my examination of a large number of those who have remained faithful has convinced me It stands to that it has been the deciding factor in many cases. reason that men who have never possessed even $100 at one time will be greatly moved by an offer of $2,000 paid in a lump sum. In my companies and those of some of my friends the addition of $1,000 to this benefit by the employers did definitely induce the Men of the clerical class are those most servants to remain.

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attracted by this offer, which undoubtedly forms a powerful inducement to the Chinese by reason of the fact that the interest of the individual is identified with that of his family.

Rewards for Arrest of Agitators.

34. On the 22nd June the Government offered a reward of $250 for information leading to the arrest of agitators, and a few weeks afterwards doubled the sun. Though in few cases was this reward claimed, the deterrent effect must have been con- siderable. Harmful and seditious talk, as well as serious agita- tion, is necessarily checked by the knowledge that the audience has substantial financial inducement to report such words and deeds.

The And this effect is almost independent of the audience's actual intentions, since they are unknown in any case. rewards should be offered on any similar occasion, but graduated from $250 to $1,000, according to the police estimate of the importance of the information.

Guarding of Reservoirs.

35. As usual in such cases of civil disturbance the reservoirs were guarded; and this precaution, whatever its practical value in preventing damage, had a very quieting effect on the Chinese community which is exceedingly sensitive to rumours about poisoning of the water supply, or wrecking of the reservoirs.

Military Demonstrations.

36. On account of persistent rumours of coming rioting, wholesale murders, &c., Mr. Chow Shou-son and I found it necessary to ask the Government to order military route- marches. The Military Authorities at once complied with our request; and this form of military demonstration had a most steadying effect on the populace, showing the enemy our real strength, and convincing our friends that there was sufficient force to protect them. These marches continued until they were The Chinese are particularly considered to be unnecessary. grateful to His Excellency the General Officer Commanding for the readiness with which he acceded to our request.

Flogging for Crime under the Arms Ordinance.

37. On the 6th July the following Regulation was made by the Governor in Council:-

"Two Magistrates sitting together shall have power to inflict summarily the following punishments for any crime made punishable under Section 4 of the Arms and Ammuni tion Ordinance. 1900, namely: —

(1) Imprisonment with hard labour for any term not exceeding ten years; and

(2) Flogging.

The Magistrates in awarding any punishment of flogging for any such crime shall have the same power as the Supreme Court has in regard to flogging for any such crime under the provisions of the Flogging Ordinance, 1903."