lasts very much longer it may be desirable to consiäer whether some modification of it should not be approved with a view to allowing back to the Colony the wives of those engaged in Hong Kong on essential work (but not children), subject perhaps to a proviso that the women so concerned would undertake such essential service as the Government considered them suitable for.
Better refer to Colonel Scott, War Office, as in d.h. and acknowledge/ad interim.
clom,
4.
Salkant.
40. To Masson
29.11.41.
29-11-41
Men who go on leave to Australia could only be forced to return to Hong Kong by means of Australian legislation, and I should think it would be extremely doubtful if they would consider such legislation.
A similar question arose recently in connection with West African Mining Companies. The latter complained that some of their employees were granted leave to proceed to the U.K. on signing an undertaking to return to their employment. Several of them, however, have either refused to do so or demanded additional pay. Their reasons were that they did not want to leave their families and also found they could obtain very remunerative employment in the U. K. The West African Department desire that regulations should be made here to enforce in suitable cases, the return of these employees to West Africa, and the matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Labour. I have not yet heard what the latter's decision is, but I think it is very doubtful if the desired regulations will be made.
K. E. Payper.
2.12.41.
Ist will be difficult to arrange forcible
here & it would be more
we
retum from difficult in Australia. In W. A frien cannot get passages for wives but tk, can solve this problem by relaxing this evacuation scheme if conditions infrove,
Itlalder
2.12.4/tam
3.12.4/.
$41
To Scott. / w/e 39
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