1940-12-20 — Page 5

Page

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS

PETITION FOR RETURN OF EXTRACTS FROM

EVACUEES REJECTED BY

HOME GOVERNMENT

"THE EXECUTION OF HA,' GOVERNMENT'S DECISION WAS NECESSARILY IN THE HANDS OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES and even if it were true that some individuals were so minded as to fail to submit themselves to HM. Government's decision in Juch critical times as these H.M.. Government would fall 'in their responsibilities if they treated such disservice as to warrant re- versal of policy!"

H.K. AUDIT

REPORT

The following

extracts

GENERAL

FINANCE COMMITTEE

MEETING

EXPENDITURE FOR WATCHMEN FOR FOG BELL

from the report to the Director of Colonial Audit on the audit of the accounts of the Colony “of | Hongkong for the year 1939 tabled in Legislative Council yesterday:-- The sum of $7,000, received by the Colonies will give the the Commissioner of Police as a $5.100 (being the cost of buliding When a supplementary vote for The above paragraph was con-tar tained in the reply received from necessary directions to the local gift for a charitable purpose, was!

quartets to house the necessary Lord Lloyd, Secretary of State for Government by which all those not deposited in the Treasury watchmen) for the "Beckwith Fog the Colonies, to the petition of evacuees who desire to return to accordance with Colonial Regula Bell (Harbour, Department) came Hongkong husbands seeking per- the Colony may be permitted to tion No. 230, neither was a proper before the Finance Committee 91 mission for the return of wives do so. Further, that the neces- printed form of receipt issued to the Legislative Counch yesterday and families evacuated to Aus-sary financial assistance by way the donor as required by Colonial afternoon, the Hon. Mr. A. L. of free passage may be provided Regulation No. 227. Although there Shields asked if it was necessary without delay and that, if the is no suggestion whatever that

to have.watchmen. There were necessary financial arrangements improper use was made of this cannot be made forthwith, those money, the accounting procedure Colony protected only by barbed other important works in the who are able in the first place to followed La this instance Was advance the expense of a retum irregular. passage may do so without pre- judice to their right to such financial assistance as and

tralia

recover

WITHOLDING OF PAYMENTS

wire.

The reply reads as follows:- Please inform Committee that I have received and considered their representations and that I appreciate with all sympathy the

The Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith (Co- disturbance and separation which

lonial Secretary) replied that be has been borne by those affected

A further disregard of Colonial had also raised the query. by the evacuation measure. The when the necessary scheme can be Regulation No. 272 is under en- The Hon. Mr. H. R. Butters decision of HM Government that arranged. Also that permission quiry. The Police Department (Financial Secretary): It is be.. a section of women and chlidren should be given for the return to purchased furniture and electrical cause the last bell was stolen. In the Colony should be evacuated the Colony, at their own expense. equipment amounting to $93 in The Colonial Secretary pointed as a defence measure was taken or any who may have been absent September, 1939, without the ap-out that the Harbour Master after most careful consideration from the Colony on leave or other proval of Government, the ac-stated that there was no method of factors concerning defence of wise when the Evacuation Order count not being rendered to the jof preventing theft of the bell Hongkong in the event of serious was made. deterioration - in

Treasury for payment entil May, without affecting the sound if the

bell of this year.

unwatched and was left situation in the Far East.

metal of this kind was at a premium.

the political

SACRIFICES INVOLVED

LOYAL CITIZENS

Further that those who acting

persons

Your Petitioners

and those

ed

非

ARREARS OF REVENUE According to the returns render-

Mr. Butters remarked that it

14

FUMIGATING BUREAU

on the advice of the Local Gov- They appreciate sacrifices in-ernment, remain away, may have volved on the part of families the same financial arrangements

by departments the total was intended to replace the bell concerned but they had wider and made for them as were made when 31,1938. amounted to $293,473.13. There was some small correspond- arrears of revenue, as at Dec. with an oscillator after the war. vital British interests than any evacuation was compulsory and of these arrears 3200.382.76 was individual interest to consider. be given Al undertaken that

ing saving by having watchmen The execution of HM. Govern- Government will keep the situa-collected by March 31.1940, leaving but he did not know what it was. ment's decision was necessarily intton continually under review to

a balance of $93.090.37 of which

Mr. Smith said he would take the the hands of the local authorities enable such

$577,20 was written off 23 irre

matter up. to return and even if it were true that some immediately Government consider coverable, and $2,187.85 cancelled, Individuals were so minded as to that their absence from the Colony FRUITLESS EXPENDITURE

In connexion with a vote for fall to submit themselves to E.M. is no longer to be recommended

An oversight on the part of a $5.300 for running expenses of the Government's decision "fa such and will be granted the same Government official, or

and officials, Lasinfecting

Fumigating critical times as these HM, Gov-facilities and financial assistance who erroneously allowed certain Bureau (Medical Department). ernment would fall in their res to return. ponsibilities if they treated such

stores to be disposed of which the Hon Mr. Shields asked if the disservice as to warrant reversal whom they represent fully recog Government tug, resulted in a

formed part of the equipment of bureau was showing a profit.

Mr. Smith: It is supposed to of policy.

nise that if avaences or other loss to Government of $859.50. be showing a profit. I cannot say Evacuation was confined by HM, female relatives are allowed to re- The tug was sold to a private firm that off hand. I will let you have Government to narrowest possible turn immediately, they do so at limit and they cannot regard al- Government's expense.

on the understanding that the information on the subject. legations of racial discrimination

Your Petitioners, as loyal citi-purchase price included all spare as justified. In the endeavour to zens

are fully zware of the parts and equipment. The firm relieve the Colony of financial gravity of the political situation purchased the burden of evacuation scheme HM. and the necessity of arging people original buyers and Goverment Government have accepted cost to evacuate. Nevertheless they was obliged to refund the amount themselves.

have duly weighed the consc-paid less certain expenses. quences of the present compulsory compliance-with-Colonial Regula I realise at their distance from Order and are convinced that the tion No 345 the matter was re- scene of hostilities it is hard for confidence of the Colony will only ferred to the Secretary of State petitioners entirely to realise not be restored by a scheme which is who approved of the loss being only the sacrifices but hourly both equitable and voluntary.

met from Public funds.

SUPREME END

risks that are being cheerfully ac- cepted day by day by every indi-

vidual in our cities here to say!

nothing of our sailors, airmen and CHINESE INK &

soldiers. These are obviously out

of all proportion to smaller sacri- fices complained of by petitioners and I am confident once these

stores

from

VOTES PASSED Other votes totalling $3,253,457 the were approved.

In

An error made in indenting for surgical instruments resulted in Government having to make good a loss of £4 10s. As the officer responsible for the mistake. had

OIL PAINTINGS left the Colony no action was

taken against him.

- POOR BOX ‹'

Legislative Council

Police Office

Changed

Style

At the meeting of the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon the Attorney General (Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, O.BE; KC) moved a

resolution that the style of the office of "Divisional Superinten-

facts are put to British in rine Exhibition By A suggestion by the Accountant dent of Folice" be changed to that

kong they will not be behind any other part of the Empire in ac- cepting whatever sacrifices they may be called upon to make for :supreme end. in-view.

Miss Cheung Tan

General to transfer 35,000 at the of "Senior Superintendent of Po- end of the year from the Poor ice" for all purposes.

The Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. An exhibition of Chinese ink Box account to the Revenue Head painting and oil painting, the Forfeitures" on the ground that N. L. Smith, C.M.G.) seconded and MAIN TEXT OF PETITION Works of MISS CHEUNG TAN, local. the account seemed to be in excess the resolution was carried. Following is the main text of young promising artist, being of requirements, was opposed by the petition cabled on behalf of held on the third floor of Hotel the Magistrates,

the

Evacuation Representation Cecil,

Committee:

f:

Starting yesterday, the exhibi-

The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill to amend the Holidays Ordinarice. 1912.

LOSSES OF STORES DUE TO THEFT

Furniture issued for the use of

die.

That the Evacuation Represen- tion will remain open today and tation Committee hereby petition tomorrow from 11 am to 8 pm. Cadets studying in Canton could that the compulsory Evacuation (dally.]

not be traced and was "writte

..

The Colonial Secretary seconded. The Council then adjourned sine

The meeting lasted only three minutes. Order should be further revised so The 122 pictures on display are oft Its loss may be considered

THOSE PRESENT that evacuses who left the Colony of figures, dowers and birds, land

Present at the meeting were His of Hongkong for Australls and scape, and oll paintuis.

Excellency the Officer Administer- clsewhere owing to such Evactia - Under figures; "Puppet," "Pluck-

ing the Government (Lt.-Gen. E. tion Order should be permitted to ing the ferns for food," "Goddess $292.54 forming part of the Yau F. Norton, C.B., D.SO. MC.). Hlls return to the Colony they so of Mercy," and "A Swordswoman," mati store stocks was found to be Excellency the General Officer desire for the following reasons:-are perhaps most butstanding. deficient after a departmental Commanding (Maj.-inau, B. The original Evacuation Order "The Moon Lady" will be noted by survey. Certain subordinate Grasett, C.B.. D.8.0, MC), the caused grave dissatisfaction, in-its simplicity.

Government employees, who gave Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. N. L.. dignation and unrest, There were

of the Principal being:--

A. WHOLE YEAR

as being attributable to military operations in South China.

413 yards of canvas valued at

no satisfactory explanation of the Smith; CM.G.), the Attorney Gen- many" contributory causes, some A quartet, "Flowers and birds," loss and who were considered as eral (Hon. Mr. C. G. Alabaster, First, that the requisite steps each painting extending over ten. being responsible for it, were dis 0.BE .KC), the Secretary for The Secretary of State Chinese Affairs (Hon. Mr. R. A C were not taken to prepare for any metres in length, is the pick of the missed. emergency between the time when second category. Painted on the to whom the matter was referred North), the Financial Secretary the original scheme was worked lines of the school of the Bung approved of the "write off." out on behalf of the Government Dynasty, they took a whole year ta

in 1939 and the date of the Eva-finish. cuation Order on June 28, 1940, Secondly, such evacuation

USE OF GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES

J.

Hon Mr. H R. Butters), Hon. Dr. P. 8. Betwyn-Clarke (Director of Medical Services), Hon. Mr. The oil paintings, which are

Au Audit inspection of Govern-Pearce (Acting Director of Public en-more or less of a materialistic talled a blundering and unjust nature, depict scenes of everyday ment launch log books and re-Works). Hon. Mr. G. G. Perdue plies to Audit queries raised in Acting Commissioner of Police). racial discrimination amongst life.

entries Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson, Hon. Mr. British citizens of Hongkong." Miss Cheung Tan has been connexion with certain

Thirdly ones to the manner studying by herself for more than therem, indicated that due 5. H Dodwell, Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo, in which the Government of the four years pupil of Mr. Lee Fung-economy has not always been Hon. Mr. Leo D'Almada e Castro, Colony operated such Order, ex-kung, head of the Fung Kung Chi practised by officers using Govern Int. Hon. Dr. L Shu-fan, Hon. Mr.

emption was granted... to many nese Art Academy.

who had no right to it and many

Justinably entitled to such stemp-|

tion, were unable to obtain it.

INDIGNATION INCENSED.

This dissatisfaction, indignation and, unrest were increased in the

KANSU OFFICIALS

SWORN IN

ment launches, and that their Shields, Hon. Mr. W. N employment had not been confined Thomas Tam, Hon Mr. T. E. Pearce to purely Government business and Mr. C. Bramall Burgess CD.

As a result of these queries and puty Clerk of Councils, of representation by the Auditor.

more rigid departmental control Kowloon Community

aver the use of the launches" is Xmas Concert

A united choir consisting of 130 female and 100 male voices will

General Ku Cheng-lun, Mr. now being exercised. minds of the law abiding citizens Wang Sou-fang, Mr. Cheng Chen of this Colony by the Hongkong Government's subsequent noticea-yu, Mr. Chang Hsin-2, Mr. Chen

The marriage took place on give a Christmas concert tomorrow tion appearing in the Press on Kuo-liang and Mr. Chao Lung

wen. respectively. Chairman, Dec. 12, at the Church of Christ evening at the Chinese YMCA, at Noy 7 and 8: for this new order penalised those who were obedient Secretary-General, Commissioners the King. Shanghai, by the Rev. 7.30 o'clock

to the original Order and left, and of Civil Affairs, Reconstruction, L. McGreal. S.J. of Phyllis MarAn orchestra, consisting of more condoned the disobedience of and Finance and Member of the garct Cecile, only daughter of the than 20 pieces will accompany the

Other items on the pro those who ignored the original Kandu Provincial Government, late Mr. and Mrs. A. MJ, Porter, thoir. Order and remained."

were formally sworn in in an in-Chinese Maritime Customs to gramme will be a vocal solo by Your Petitioners therefore presstve ceremony yesterday. John Arthur, son of the late T.-M. MTS. C. W. Shoop, & violin soin by humbly request that the Right General Chu Shao-lang ofchated: Blackwood and Mrs Backwood, Miss Leung Ding-kai and a plann

solo by Mr. Lin: ghing-Yup. of Hyndland: Glasgow. Honourable the Secretary of State-(Central News).

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1940. -PAGE

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