L/PMC.
Copy.
IV.
No.2981/26
Sir,
Enclosure No.2.
36
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hong Kong.
17th March, 1937.
I am directed to inform you that, subject to
approval by an Order of His Majesty in Council, it is
proposed to introduce into Legislative Council a Bill
intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Naval Volunteer
Ordinance,1933, and provide for Naval Defence", of which
50 copies are enclosed.
2.
It has been represented to Government that
recruiting to the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer Force might
be adversely affected by a possible misunderstanding of
the implications of Section 4 of the Bill, relating to service
and training outside the Colony. I am therefore to explain
that the primary function of the Hong Kong Naval Volunteer
Force is the defence of the Colony and its sea approaches,
and that in time of war although emergencies might arise
necessitating the temporary employment of the Force away
from the waters of the Colony in the interests of the more
effective prosecution of the war, and so, indirectly of
the defence of the Colony, that primary function would
always be kept in view.
3. In time of peace liability for service, other
than training, outside the Colony would in no circumstance s
be enforced, except in the case of piracies or similar
emergencies which, though occurring technically outside
the waters of the Colony, directly affected the interests
of the Colony. In such a case the liability would only
be enforced if in the opinion of the Colonial Government
circumstances warranted such a course.
The Secretary.
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Hong Kong.
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