CO129-612-1 Police Department- petition from European memebers of Inspectorate 21-1-1947 - 17-2-1948 — Page 119

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

Lama 4.

117

The reasons are many, but, we repeat, if so. surely the

primary reason is one of making ends meet.

May we diveræ for the moment and take stock of

social position of a policeman.

the

Firstly, by the mere fact that he is a policeman makes him

a social outcast. This will be claimed as a Policeman's

own "idea" of how the rest of the community acts towards

and thinks of him.

Nevertheless it is true in practice.

Happily a changing world is changing this situation.

Locally what is the position?

The Police Force------probably on a par with the Prison Staff------ is the lowest paid of all the British personel

in the Colony, a fact alone which keeps him on the bottom

rung of the social ladder. Psychologically the reason why

some have resorted to corruption.

You, Gentlemen, after careful consideration of our

submissions, in making your recommendations will see that they

are such that it is unnecessary to resort to corruption

to make ends meet.

Further reference to paraɓ--------5.

The foregoing is brief and does not give explanation for

such a suggestion, but to you, Gentlemen, the attached Memoran

- dum will be suffice to see the reason for the said suggestion

we would especially request your attention to paras 7 and 9.

It was suggested that we provide for your consideration,

specimen monthly budgets, but, to keep this Memorandum as

consise as possible the foregoing paragraph (7) which

information was provided by no less than H.E. the Governor,

Sir, Mark Young, will be sufficient. However we submit one

budget, that of Chief Inspector MoEwen, who draws a much

higher salary than most yet cannot make ends meet.

Your Commission, Sir, is a locally appointed one

consisting of Gentlemen fully acquanted with all prevailing

conditions

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