348
7. We are satisfied that, apart from the direct result of our investigation, the appointment, or anticipated appointment, of the Commission indirectly brought about the release of an acklitional number of men, the practicability of sparing whom was so apparent as to render reference to the Commission necessary, A list (avoidably incomplete) of thirty-one men, other than those appearing before the Commission, for whom passages have recently been arranged, is given in Appendix D.
8. It cannot but be noticed that the younger men in the Colony have, to a certain extent, refrained hitherto from coming before the Commission. We have had the opportunity of ascertaining the number of civilians in Hongkong of British race and military age; and are forced to the conclusion that, had more applied, more, although it may be not a large number, would have been found able to go; at the cost perhaps of personal sacrifice, but with no diminution of the Colony's value as an asset of the Empire. Furthermore it has been a matter of surprise to the Commission to learn, what the enquiry has certainly proved, that there yet remains doubt in some minds whether the Empire needs more men; and this doubt probably in part explains the number who have abstained from applying. Being ourselves convinced that so long as the war lasts the need is imperative, and increasingly so, we respectfully recommend that a clear official pronouncement upon the matter is desirable.
9. The Commission, in the cases before it, has accepted the principle that it is outside its province to decide whether the full carrying on in the Colony of any particu- lar trade or business is necessary or expedient in the interests of the Empire. The Commission has accordingly based its findings upon the policy that, while staffs are to be reduced to the minimum compatible with efficiency, every trade and business irrespective of its nature is to be coutinned. Under the system of compulsory service obtaining in Great Britain, this standard has of course been abandoned; and we recognise that it may be necessary to modify the policy in Hongkong.
10. The part played by Hongkong under the, voluntary system will probably stand comparison with the part played by any other British Dependency; but believing, as we have said, that there are still men here who could well be spared, we should welcome a decision by the Imperial Government to extend to the Colony the obligation of compul- sory service with the armies in the field.
11. Pursuant to the terms of our appointment, we have confined our enquiry to the cases of men medically passed as fit for active service at the front, and have not consi- dered applications from those physically capable of only sedentary or semi-active duties. And it is evident that the retention here of the latter class enables more of the former to leave.
12. With a view to liberating men, sixty-five women have made offers of assistance in one capacity or another, and steps have been taken to put their names before employers. Useful and suitable work has already been arranged in several cases, and, we hope, will soon be in more. It must however be remembered that men who come from the United Kingdom to the Far East have usually undergone a special course of training, and it is difficult to find women possessing the requisite experience and technical knowledge to take their places. Unskilled and partly skilled work, such as is now largely, done by women in the United Kingdom, is performed in Hongkong mainly by men of Asiatic race.
13. We desire to express our appreciation of the valuable services of Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER as Secretary of the Commission.
14. We hope that Your Excellency will see fit to direct the publication of this report in the Gazelle.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servants,
E. II. SHARP.
C. E. ANTON.
ROBT. SHEWAN.
C. MONTAGUE EDE,
I. B. F. CURRIE.
C. W. BECKWITH.
T. A. LOUGHLIN.
3
Appendix A.
THE MILITARY SERVICE COMMISSION.
HONGKONG, 26th March, 1917.
Sin,- Referring to our recent interviews on the subject of applications from ('ivil Servants, I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that the Commissioners, upon further consideration of all the circumstances which I put before you, are confirmed in the view that it would not serve any useful purpose for them to hear such applications.
2. The principal circumstances influencing the Commissioners in this view are that such applications constitute in some respects a peculiar category; inasmuch as you hold the dual position, at once of the applicant's employer and the arbiter of whatever recom- mendations the Commissioners may make upon their findings. They also understand that in the former capacity, at the instance of the Secretary of State, you have already formed and are acting upon an opinion as to the maximum number of men who can be spared, which opinion they apprehend would in fact guide your decision in your final arbitrament.
3. In the above circumstances, the Commissioners suggest that you withdraw the Civil Service from the purview of the Commission, in the same manner as the Naval and Military Services have been withdrawn.
4. The Commissioners wish this letter to be understood as in no way implying a desire on their part to be relieved of the task of dealing with applications from Civil Servants, a duty they would gladly undertake were the conditions such as to enable them to perform it usefully and effectively.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's obedient servant,
Ilis Excellency
Sir F. H. MAY, K.C.M.G.,
Governor of Hongkong.
(Sd.) E. H. SHARP,
Chairman.
GOVERNMENT House, HONGKONG, 28th March, 1917.
SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th instant explaining the circumstances which have induced the members of the Military Service Commission to suggest that I should withdraw the Civil Servants from the purview of the Commission.
I appreciate the reasons for this suggestion which in the circumstances I shall adopt. I shall at the same time weigh carefully the cases of those Civil Servants who have not applied to the Colonial Government for permission to offer themselves for Military service beyond the Colony, but who may have made applications to go before the Commission. I shall be glad therefore to receive from the Commission the names of all Civil Servants who have made such applications.
I have the honour to be,
The Honourable
Mr. E. H. SHARP, K.C.,
Chairman,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Military Service Commission,
(S) F. II. MAY,
Governor, de.
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