PY.
Enclosure
2
Hon. Colonial Secretary,
C O
23884
Rece Rra 22 AUG 10
470
At a meeting this afternoon ät Government
House I laid emphasis on this fact that the scheme was primarily suggested in the interests of the Colony ma an insurance against
war risks. Mr. M. Stewart thought the probable number of men available (say 1,000) was too insignificant to weigh much. This view was opposed by most of those present if not by all.
He thought the argument to be used should be the Imperial one. heartily agreed that this argument should be adopted.
Mr. Shewan, Mr. Dickson, and Mr. Hooper and
Mr. Humphreys all said that nothing short of compulsion would
be of any use in Hongkong. Ir. Shewan (and I think others concurred) said that if compulsion were introduced it would
be popular.
Mr. Robertson wished to have definite prom
-posals as to the number of days, and the actual days,and the number of employees from one firm called out simultaneously. It
was agreed that a small Committee should be elected by the Mam-
-bers of the Committee who would in conjunction with the Mili- -tary Authorities draw up a precise scheme. Mr. Robertson and
Kr. Dickson said they would desire to refer it to their Director/
before announcing their adherence to it, but both appeared to
be in support of it. Generally speaking, Mr. Hewett repudiated
the necessity of referring it to Directors and unreservedly supported the proposals.
I said that I gathered from the views expressed that those present were generally in support, and anticipated that the scheme was feasible. For my own part I
must say clearly that as the Secretary of State had not yet
been consulted I could not say whether the scheme could or could
not be put forward by Government, but that I felt I could now
lay it before the Secretary of State in England and say that
it had a strong backing in the Colony, and I would do so as
soon as I reached England and inform the Officer Administer-
-ing
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.