CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12] — Page 10

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Colonial Defence Committee's Remarks they suggest that in

the event of the Volunteer Reserve Association and the

:

Military Telephonist Organization developing, a Volunteer

Reserve Ordinance should be passed placing the liabilities

and privileges of the Members in time of war on a legal

basis.

I have given careful consideration

to this suggestion and have come to the conclusion that the

undertaking given by Members of the Volunteer Reserve Às-

-sociation to enrol themselves in the event of necessity

under the existing Volunteer Ordinance as the Hongkong

Volunteer Reserve Company is a sufficient guarantee for

their services being available in war time and does provide

for their liabilities and privileges being placed at such

time on a legal basis. I am considering the advisability

of allowing the Members of the Prison, Sanitary and Public

Works Departments who have volunteered for service with

the Military Telephones in war to join the Reserve Associa-

-tion though they have not reached the age limit of 35.

This would have the effect of bringing them under the

Volunteer Ordinance in war time. I am averse to special

legislation for the Reserve as I think this might deter

7.1029

men