TELEGRAM:
19486
REC
101
The Governor of Hong Kong to the 22 J&B of
State for the Colonies,
(Received Colonial office 5,5 p.. 20th April,1918)
(Dated 20th April)
33027
With reference to your telegram 10th July 1917 the Committee of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce have expressed unanimously the opinion in which I concur that Compulsory military service beyond the Colony should now be imposed, essential economic trades being protected and a tribunal representative of all classes of the commercial community and with substantial commercial majority being appointed to adjudicate. I shall be glad to learn whether His Majesty's Government are now prepared to include Hong Kong and to receive instructions as to the legal means by which compulsion is to be applied. I would recommend age limit not exceeding 45 years, dis- cretion in Governor to define the racial aplication of the law and a small tribunal on lines of the Military Service Commission with an appeal from its decisions by individuals concerned, employers, or the military authorities to the Governor in Council. The Civil Service in my opinion should be included in the corpulsion but the decision in it. case should rest solely with the Governor. The Executive Council unanimously concur in my recommendation.
MAY.
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