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Firms, but I am able to say with confidence that unless the work of the two great Shipbuilding Yards and of the two large Sugar Refineries were practically brought to a standstill it would be impossible even under compulsion to release more than a mere hand- -ful of men of European race for active service.
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Since compulsory service was adopted in England there has been growing discontent here (1) among the members of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps, the Hongkong Volunteer Reserve and the European members of the Special Police Reserve; (2) among the employers of labour; and (3) among some other members of the British European Community who are not fit for service in the local armed forces of the Colony, regarding the position of classes 1 and 2 towards the question of the supply of men by this Colony for the defence of the Empire. As a result upon my return from short leave last December I received the letter, copy of which is enclosed, from the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. The firm referred to in paragraph 2 of that latter is the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, and as I was satisfied from personal enquiries of the Chief Manager that no more of his European Staff could be spared, I amused the letter of which copy is enclosed to be sent to him. The list referred to therein com- -prises 23 names. Moreover at a meeting of the Legislative Council held on the 21st., December, I made a public statement copy of which forms enclosure No.
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That statement, however, has not satisfied the public, and on the 19th. instant I received a letter copy enclosed from a number of members of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps and Hengkong Volunteer Reserve in which 3 questions are put to me.
As a preliminary to an interview which I shall give to a deputation of the signatories of that letter on the 25th. instant I had an interview on the 20th. instant with the following gentlemen, representing the largest employers of
European
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