CO129-414 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [10-11] — Page 417

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Hon. Colonial Secretary,

Enclos 413

51778

Security for Chinese Constables. Rec

The reasons of the proposed change are:-

RES 28DEC14

(a). The present shop-keepers bonds are of little value. The bond does not imply any personal acquaintance between the guarantor and the Chinese Constable. Large shops generally refuse to guaran- tee a Chinese Constable either because they don't know him or because they know him too well. Small shops will guarantee any one who will pay them sufficiently. It is well know - of much grumbling that Chinese Constables have to pay as much as 88 for the privilege of being secured during their 3 months probat- ion. A bond for 5 years costs $20 or more.

and a cause

Some small shops make quite a good thing out of it. In some cases a shop has offered to secure so many Chinese Constables that it was found necessary to limit the number secured by one shop' at 6. This is clearly objectionable, as the shop incidentally secures itself from interference.

(b). It has been found frequently that the shop-keeper's bond does not prevent Chinese Constables from absconding. The guarantor himself can and does disappear without any possible check by the Police. By the new system there will be a gradually increasing inducement to a Chinese Constable not to run away without notice, in the shape of his private account at the bank.

(c). The Chinese Constables would gladly accept the new system. It is obviously much cheaper. Incidentally it constitutes a form of mutual guarantee which would be of great use.

I recommend the fund should be entirely a departmental

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one.

Sd.

С. ИсӀ. Мөзвег

Captain Superintendent of Police

28th August, 1914.