CO129-561-14 Naval Volunteer Force 17-3-1937 - 9-2-1938 — Page 18

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Schedule has not been embodied in the Appendix as the

intention of the proviso is not clear.

Although, as previously stated, the disciplinary code for the Hong Kong Naval Force is a matter which chiefly concerns the local Government, My Lords think that the references in the Naval Discipline Act to sentences of death, penal servitude and corporal punishment may have caused the Hong Kong Government to over-estimate the severity of the ordinary naval code. Sentences of penal servitude are very rare and sentences of death are practically unknown, while corporal punishment has been suspended since 1881 by Admiralty order. The practical effect, therefore, in time of peace of making the consequential amendments shown in the Appendix is insignificant. On the other hand the result must be to leave certain offences associated with mutiny and in war time (for such of the personnel as may not have been offered and accepted for general service in the Royal Navy, certain other offences involving treachery, cowardice etc.,) without

adequate punishment.

I am, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Hrachoand