CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 21

21

(Para.33)

(Paras .29-

32 and 36)

(Para.37).

Enclosure 5

3

whose dishonest attempts to establish a racket-control

over the Immigration system were tending to corrupt his

staff, that he failed

G

G

possibly refused to recognize

the fact and extent of his disobedience to and betrayal

of the Government. He is a man who, as his confidential

reports shew, is apt to be obsessed by his own ideas and

this wilful tendency leads him on occasions to take a

view of moral problems which might be described as

intellectually astigmatic.

7.

I express this view of his conduct having regard

to the strong views in which the Commission speak of

Mr. Forrest and in explanation of paragraph seven of my

telegram under reference. As the Colonial Secretary's

note, which forms the fourth enclosure to this despatch,

shews, Mr. Forrest has an excellent record of service except

for one aspect of his magisterial work: the remarks of the

Commissioners on the general administration of the

Immigration Department are also relevant to this point.

I concur with the Commissioners in their comments

upon Mr. Forrest's engagement of staff and his behaviour

towards the public.

8.

9.

Mr. Forrest has been recommended for retirement

from the Hong Kong Civil Service on medical grounds and I

have received Your Lordship's confirmation of that advice.

10.

I turn now to the reflections made in the

Commission's report upon the local administration. The

Commissioners put the real blame for the chaotic condition

of the accounting side of the Immigration Department upon

the Government which selected Mr. Forrest as Immigration

Officer. Paragraphs 1 - 4 of the attached minute written

by the Colonial Secretary, Mr. N.L. Smith, C.M.G., explain