CO129-607-5 Police Department- Indian Section 8-1-1946 - 15-9-1947 — Page 158

establishment from 277 to 115 but owing to recruitment for the Military Administration it will be over strength for some time to come. A better type of Chinese is required in the Chinese Inspectorate (and an increase in numbers) to offset the reduction in the Europeans. The complete reorganisation of the Force is proposed but so many matters require careful consideration that we are not in a position to recommend approval of the whole scheme at the present time. The 0.0....0., however, telegraphed on the 25th of January prossing for the earliest possible approval of the new suluy scheme for the Chinese Inspectorate on the grounds that the present rate of pay was likely to cause the

resignations of many probationers whom he could not afford to lose. The Commander-in-Chief i also pressing us to agree to the proposal.

4.* The general policy of substituting local Asiatics for Europeans is one which, for political reasons, is warmly supported by the Colonial Office. It is hoped to create a new Police Force in Hong long whose integrity will be beyond question (which I am afraid has not always been the case) and we shall be grateful, therefore, if we may have Treasury approve 1 of the salary scale proposed for the local inspectorate in order that good men will be attracted and content to remain in their jobs. As we are being badgered over this, I would be grateful for a very early reply.

Yours sincerely,

Sd. B.D. Edmonds