CO129-578-11 Sino-Japanese War- refugees 17-1-1939 - 5-12-1939 — Page 29

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

returned to China in that way. But just recently, apart from the disturbances across the Border, certain steps have been taken in Canton. and Macao which have rather a serious effect on the refugees returning by these routes. I was officially informed only this morning that the Japanese authorities are requiring refugees to have $20 (Hong Kong) before they can land in Canton. As from to-morrow, the same process will be enforced against refugees returning from Macao to Canton.

It has been our custom to send a large number of refugees via Macao. Now that it is necessary for them to have $20 each before they can land at Canton and as the majority of the refugees have spent their all before going to the camps, this condition makes it. extremely difficult for us to send them back via this route. But we shall continue to do our best to persuade them to return over the frontier and by various other routes, such as Waichow, etc.

I shall be happy at any time. to let any member of the Finance Committee see the system of administration and we shall be grateful for any help or guidance in improving it.

When the camps were first opened in October, the Committee allowed me $6 for each adult refugee for food. I have since reduced this sum, firstly to $4.80 and, from the beginning of this month, to $4. This is done in spite of the increase in prices resulting from the recent trouble.

HON. MR. PEARCE. From what we have just heard, I think it is most interesting. I am not opposing this vote but I do maintain that, when asking for large sums like this every three months, this Council should be informed of what is happening.

back.

THE CHAIRMAN.-We are trying to arrange to send these people

HON. MR. PEARCE.-Oh, yes. And I do realise some of the difficulties the authorities are meeting with.

HON. MR. BOUSFIELD.—Isn't it a fact that the Japanese on the frontier are trying to encourage people to go back there? I think most of the refugees came from the frontier.

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES.-Most of them came from Macao.

HON. MR. BOUSFIELD.—Have any steps been taken to prevent an increase in the number of refugees?

THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL SERVICES.-The restrictions on the arrival of refugees by boat have not been enforced recently. I have been inquiring from the Police about the restriction requiring

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