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The Governor's Protest
HIS EXCELLENCY said:-Gentlemen, before I proceed with the Orders of the Day. I wish to say a few words about a matter which has caused me and others in the Colony extreme annoyance. I refer to certain anonymous letters in the public Press commenting upon the attitude of Britons in this Colony in the matter of their duty to their country. For example, a letter was recently published in which the writer accused members of the local armed forces of the Coloux of taking refuge in the uniform of the Hongkong Volunteers or of the Special Police Reserve, being unwilling to do their duty to their King and country. This is an ignorant and mischievous statement, for which there is not a shadow of foundation. The policy of this Government has been to grant facilities to every man who can be spared from this Colony to go to the front, and to organise the remainder as members of the local armed forces, or in other capacities in work connected with the war. The number and efficiency of our local armed forces has made it pos- sible to release a large portion of the regular garrison for service elsewhere. In carrying this policy into effect it has been my unpleasant duty to refuse the applications of scores of men to leave the Colony to go to the front, and I have no hesitation in saying that all those members of the armed forces in the Colony who are medically fit would volunteer for the front to-morrow if they were allowed.to go. (Applause.) I trust that these ignorant criticisms will cease. any persons resident in the Colony, or visiting it and I suspect the criticism emanate from visitors who are ignorant of the facts-have any heart-searchings on the subject of Hongkong's attitude towards the war, I trust that they will come direct to me or to the Colonial Secretary. We are always accessible and always ready to give every enlightenment. (Applause.)
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