CO129-563-19 Sino-Japanese War- fund for relief of distress in China 5-10-1937 - 17-11-1937 — Page 38

CHINA ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG BRANCH

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EXTRACTS FROM MEMORANDUM DATED 27TH OCTOBER, 1937 ON THE SUBJECT OF

RELIEF OF DISTRESS DUE TO SINO-JAPANEŠE HOSTILITIES.

SOURCES OF INCOME

A relief association to help Cantonese in Shanghai has been formed under the auspices of the Hong Kong Chinese Relief Association.

General Chan Chai Tong, ex-Governor of Canton, has contributed $60,000 to charter steamers to bring Cantonese refugees to South China.

Appeals have been addressed to various District Chambers of Commerce in Hong Kong to help with the maintenance of people from their districts, but so far only the Fukien Chamber has contributed (a very small sum).

The Tung Wah Hospital remitted $10,000 to Shanghai balance originally advanced from the Szechuen Famine Fund.

The following contributions have also been made:-

be ing

The Gold and Silver Exchange The Rice Association

$10,000 $10,000

The Californian Merchants' Association $10,000

With the help of Mr. Ho.Kun Tong, the Chairman of the Tung Wah has started a society called "The Hong Kong Chinese Relief Assodation" to help refugees from Shanghai.

So far about $100,000 has been collected locally to help the refugees and wounded civilians and soldiers in Shanghai and elsewhere .

CONCLUSIONS.

Unless the position changes very much, it would seem that Hong Kong will make comparatively small claims upon the relief funds being raised in the United Kingdon. Reports from Shanghai indicate that the needs there for the coming winter will be very great indeed, so that Hong Kong's policy should be to keep its calls as low as possible, in order that most of the money may go to Shanghai.

The possibility has to be considered, however, that if events in Shanghai take a turn for the worse there may be a further large influx of British refugees. Even if their maintenance is borne by the taxpayer, there will be need of some addi ti onal money to provide extras and comforts.

The state of affairs in the Chinese community, during the winter will also have to be watched.

As to the personnel of a Hong Kong Committee, Chinese representation seems to be necessary, but this question can no doubt be left in abeyance until the new Governor has been installed and until there has been an opportunity of consultation with the China Association, Shanghai .

HONG KONG

27 th October, 1937.

M.F. KEY.

Hon. Secretary.

China Association, (Hong Kong Branch)