CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 250

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4232/0355

2.

the Dockyard force. If, however, the Admiralty were to

improve the conditions of the Dockyard force, the Colonial

Government might be impelled to make still further advances

in the pay and prospects of the Colonial force.

have

My Lords that therefore come to the conclusion

that the best solution of the whole question would probably be for the Dockyard and other Naval Establishments at Hong

Kong to be policed by the Colonial Police force.

This question was the subject of discussion

between the Admiralty and the Colonial Office in 1902, but

the matter was not then proceeded with as the Governor of

Hong Kong considered that it would not be expedient for the

Colonial Government to attempt to police the Dockyard in

view of the great difficulty at that time experienced in

recruiting the Police force of the Colony, vide, Colonial

E

1902 office letter dated the 11th February 1903, No. 4232/1963

It is understood that this difficulty has now been overcome.

I am accordingly to request that the Secretary of

State will consider the matter, and that My Lords may be

informed whether the Colonial Government would now be

prepared to take over the policing of the Naval Establishment

at Hong Kong, and if so, under what conditions and at what

cost to the Admiralty.

ST.

I am

sir,

Tour obedient Servant,

Whumpreme