CO129-577-11 Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps- pay for members on mobilisation 31-7-1939 - 31-7-1939 — Page 6

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

Enclosure No. 2.

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Extract from the Hansard Report of the 27th July, 1939.

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Hon. Mr. LO MAN-KAM. Sir, the Colony is justly proud of

its Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. But in order that its

splendid esprit de corps, its efficiency, may not be impaired,

it is essential that all its members should be able to feel that.

as fellow members working in union for a common cause, they do

in fact receive equal treatment in every respect, and in all

matters, without any discrimination between race or creed.

I understand, Sir, that there has been some rumour as to

the possibility of racial discrimination being made in regard

to pay on mobilisation, and that this rumour has occasioned

some concern. I need hardly point out that this concern has

no reference to the sordid question of mere dollars and cents.

It arises from a deep conviction that volunteers working for a

common cause should receive equal treatment, and from a just

resentment that any racial discrimination should exist in any

matter whatsoever. I therefore venture respectfully to invite

Your Excellency to state in this Council that any fear of racial

discriminative treatment in the Corps in any matter is

groundless.

Finally, may I, Sir, on behalf of my Chinese colleagues

and myself, once more pledge the willing co-operation and

support of the Chinese Community in any measures which Your

Excellency may find it necessary to take in the interests of

the Colony in these abnormal times? (Applause).

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The only point

The COLONIAL SECRETARY. Your Excellency,

which has arisen to which an answer seems required is the

suggestion of racial discrimination within the Hong Kong

Volunteer Defence Corps. I am grateful to the Honourable

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Mr. Lo Man-kam for the opportunity to state that his fears on

this subject are groundless.

This Government fully agrees that all members of the

Corps should receive equal treatment in every respect and at

all times. (Applause).

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