CO129-589-18 Complaints against evacuation scheme 23-11-1940 - 24-10-1941 — Page 53

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Secondly, such evacuation entailed a blundering and unjust

racial discrimination amongst British citizens of Hong Kong.

Thirdly, owing to the manner in which the Government of the

Colony operated such Order, exemption was granted to many who had

no right to it and many justifiably entitled to such exemption,

were unable to obtain it.

This dis-satisfaction, indignation and unrest were increased

in the minds of the law abiding citizens of this Colony by the

Hong Kong Government's subsequent notification appearing in the

Press on the 7th and 8th November: for this new order penalised

those who were obedient to the original Order and left, and

condoned the disobedience of those who ignored the original Order

and remained.

so.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly request that the Right

Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies will give the

necessary directions to the local Government by which all those

evacuates who desire to return to the Colony may be permitted to do

Further, that the necessary financial assistance by way of

free passage may be provided without delay and that, if the

necessary financial arrangements cannot be made forthwith, those

who are able in the first place to advance the expense of a return

passage may do so without prejudice to their right to recover such

financial assistance as and when the necessary scheme can be

arranged.

Also that permission should be given for the return to

the Colony, at their own expense, of any who may have been absent

from the Colony on leave or otherwise when the Evacuation Order was

made.

Further that those who acting on the advice of the Local

Government, remain away, may have the same financial arrangements made for them as were made when evacuation was compulsory and be given an undertaking that Government will keep the situation

2.

continually