CO129-590-2 Evacuees- memorandum on financial policy and administration in Australia 31-8-1942 - 9-12-1942 — Page 8

HONG KONG AND MALAYA GOVERNMENTS ACCOUNTS OFFICE,

TELEPHONE: ABBEY 6109.

HOPE HOUSE,

45, GT. PETER STREET,

8

LONDON, S.W.1

Ref. 2/HK&M/1/42.

Eastern Department, Colonial Office, S.W.1.

9th December, 1942.

With reference to the reports from the Finance Liaison Officer, Hong Kong in Australia (your ref 54058/5), will you please inform me whether there are any similar reports from Hong Kong or Malayan Agencies and if there are may I have them please.

ト

Real

R83

Mr Reed. I am

all of

or a

sending you

Ise Obam

3.916/12

Page

Page

Enclosure A.

Enclosure B.

COPY

Fage

Coopy of 1t evel 15 Her despatch No 377

Ref. No. 1041/1940

of 12/9/4

Finance Liaison officer,

Hong Kong Government,

3rd Floor, Blashki Building,

61, Hunter street, Sydney, N.S.W.

20.P.0. Box No.468 FF.,

(M 651/3019)

MEMORANDUM BY ·

FINANCE LIAISON OFFICER

31st August, 1942,

HONG KONG.

EVACUATION FINANCIAL POLICY & ADMINISTRATION•

This memorandum is prepared with the object of

explaining the financial administration of the office of

the Finance Liaison Officer prior to the outbreak of

hostilities in the Far East and particularly the change

in financial procedure consequent up on the invasion and

subsequent capitulation of the colony of Hong Kong.

2.

It would be of assistance if the Finance Liaison

Officer's report to the Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong

Government, for the period preceding August, 1941, was

read in conjunction with this memorandum in order to

obtain a general idea of the scope of activities and

procedure prior to the invasion.

3.

On the fall of Hong Kong it was necessary to

supplement the information recorded in the Card Record of

Evacuees referred to in paragraph 9 of the above Report

with the next of kin in other than occupied territory.

These cards (specimen marked B) in addition to containing

full information concerning each evacuated family were

utilised to record authorisations by the Finance Liaison

officer to the Commonwealth sub-Treasuries throughout the

various states for payment of appropriate allowances etc.

Davo 9

age 9

age 9

Page

Page

and formed the basis of accounting for verification of

actual payments appearing in the Commonwealth Treasury

Schedules of claim for reimbursement.

4.

METHOD OF FINANCIAL CONTROL & ACCOUNTING

PRIOR TO THE FALL OF HONG KONG.

Disbursements made by the Commonwealth Treasury

for and on behalf of the Government of Hong Kong may be

conveniently classified under the following heads:-

2.

2:10

(a)

personal moluments of officers on leave.

(b)

pensions payable to officers domiciled either

temporarily or permanently in Australia.

Disbursements of this nature were made by the

Commonwealth Treasury in accordance with established

procedure, on the authority of Leave & Last pay certificate

or pension paper, reimbursement being claimed from the

Government of Hong Kong through the crown Agents for the

Colonies, and not through Evacuation Accounts.

5.

payments classified hereunder were disbursed on

the authority of the Finance Liaison officer and reimburse-

ment claimed in the Hong Kong Evacuation Accounts.

(c)

Personal Emoluments

Educational Mistresses

The following school Mistresses were evacuated

from Hong Kong under the official evacuation scheme:-

Miss M.. Newsholme

Miss E.G.Stephen

Miss .F.D. Gemmell

Miss D. Burslem

Miss 3. R. Whitley

Midd D. Cavill

Miss Stephen and Miss Gemmell were repatriated to

Hong Kong on being recalled to duty.

Miss Cavill has been

transferred to Northern Rhodesia. With the exception of

Miss Burslem, the remaining officers have been disposed of

by retirement or abolition of office.

on the instructions of the Accountant-General,

Hong Kong Government, the emoluments of these officers were

authorised to be paid in full, and appear in the Evacuation

Accounts under a distinct sub-head of expenditure.

ge 10

ge 10Page 11