CO129-592-3 Reports on current situation- legal 7-9-1945 - 7-11-1945 — Page 22

'

BRITISH MILITARY ADMINISTRATION, HONGKONG

PROCLAMATION NO. 14

DEMOBILISATION OF HONGYONG VOLUNTEER FORCES.

LEGAL REPORT

22

1. I forward herewith copy of the above Pro- clamation for signature and approval by the Commander- in-Chief.

2.

The proclamation is required in order to carry out the policy of His Majesty's Government in putting an end to the Military Services of Volunteer organisations called out in the emergency which arose in 1941.

3.

The proclamation was forwarded here from London and was prepared by the Colonial Office on the basis of the corresponding draft for Malaya agreed between the Colonial office and the War office.

4.

The proclamation was considered at a con- ference, the Minutes of which have already been seen by the Chief Civil Affairs officer, and it was decided to submit for approval a number of amendments to make the actual application of the proclamation more flexible. There is no necessity, however, to act on these amendments until the Colonial Office have been consulted. They are, however, inserted with the view to avoid subsequent amendment to the proclamation.

5

It is proposed to prepare a despatch to Colonial Cffice covering the amendments made and also dealing with other practical questions arising on the disembodiment of the Volunteers.

In tese circumstances T certify that the Froclamation is a proper and necessary measure to enact in the territory.

G.3.5.

Col. C.A.

HONGKONG, 27th September 1945

Legal Branch

It will be observed that for the sake of clarity amendments other than formal amendments have been underlined. Such underlining wil1 be cmitted from the published version.