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New Territories.
( 24 )
ments were made for the general demobilization of the Force. This was promulgated under Proclamation No. 14 by which all members of the H.K.V.D.C. were put on demobilization leave. By the 30th January the Corps had been virtually disbanded, but there were many outstanding questions which still required settlement, notably, a final decision on the payment of demobilization benefits and pensions, the precise status of volunteers who were not treated as prisoners of war, and the provision of employment for the large numbers of locally domiciled volunteers whom the com- mercial life of the Colony was not yet in a position to absorb.
64. A preliminary check of expenditure showed that about HK$20,000,000 was likely to have been spent on family allow- ances, demobilization pay, rations and general expenses, before the Corps was finally disbanded.
65. The re-occupation of the New Territories was accom- plished in three stages: first, the parts of the mainland easily accessible by road; then the outlying parts; and finally the islands. The occupation of Lantau, and of Peng Chow in Mirs Bay, was completed by about the third week in November.
66. The first acts of the Administration were directed at providing immediate relief where it was most urgently required, and, to this end, free food was distributed to the needy throughout the market towns and the outlying villages, agents were appointed for the sale of rice at Government-controlled prices, and a relief fund was inaugurated for the employment of the poorest inhabit- ants on light work for the public benefit, such as the clearing of the overgrown roads and the cleaning of the streets and open places in the market towns. Dispensaries and health centres were gradually re-established, and surveys were carried out with a view to providing the farmers and market gardeners with such assistance as lay in the Administration's power.
67. It was undoubtedly partly due to these early measures, implemented by the goodwill, initiative and co-operation of the resident military personnel, that the New Territories remained throughout the Military period a predominantly peaceful and prosperous area. High prices for agricultural produce improved the lot of the country people at the expense of the townsmen.
( 25 )
Unemployment was almost eliminated by such projects as the new aerodrome at Ping Shan, and by the necessity for the speedy rehabilitation of roads, railways, bridges and water-works throughout the territory. By March, the Administration had re- established nearly all the pre-war medical facilities, and when it is realised that, in addition to these, western medical attention was available to the inhabitants at numerous Army and R.A.F. posts, it will be seen that the Territories were probably better equipped medically than in 1941. The extension of the garrison to the most outlying parts, brought with it a considerable improve- ment in law and order, though the abundance of illicit arms, a significant legacy of the occupation, continued to constitute a standing threat.
68. Transport, however, remained a serious impediment to the prosperity of the country people. Buses were few and unreliable, and, in consequence, lorries were dangerously over- loaded. The Railway worked regularly but not up to pre-war frequency. Water transport was inadequate.
69. At the end of March the Ping Shan project was abandoned but the preparatory work already undertaken had involved all the complicated business of resumption, compensation and rehousing. This threatened disturbance in the lives of the country people who were affected, produced evidences of a new self-reliance and a corresponding weakening of family authority and tradition. Under more peaceful conditions this change was evidenced in other areas by the emergence of self-constituted representative bodies of doubtful effectiveness, and at least one officially sponsored experiment which might well prove to be both a standard and an example for future development.
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