Sessional_Paper_1938 — Page 137

133

15 years of age was signed by all refugees for themselves and for the children in their charge. A further form was used at Shamshuipo Camp for men where the charge was $3 only and a separate form was employed in the case of those billeted in private premises where the charge was $3 a day for an adult and $2 a day for children under 15 years of age. Copies of these forms are attached to this report.

(Appendices 1, 2 and 3).

35. Some misunderstanding arose regarding these charges and the allowance in respect of refugees living in private houses. The charge for private premises was made as low as possible in the belief that the inhabitants of Hong Kong, who kindly offered hospitality to one or more refugees from Shanghai, did so altruistically, from a sense of public duty, and without any idea of making a profit. This belief was strongly reinforced by the numbers who generously gave hospitality to refugees from Shanghai without any thought of payment whatsoever. The increase in over- head charges in an ordinary household by the addition of one or two guests is not great and the authorized charge was therefore calculated to meet the cost of board only, and the small increase in other expenses.

36. At the several Centres however in addition to the bare cost of food, there were innumerable overhead charges which it was impossible at the beginning even to estimate. There was the cost of preparing the Centres for the reception of the refugees and for reconditioning them after their departure; there were the expenses of disembarkation, of the dispensary and of many other items. It was felt neces- sary, therefore, to make a charge which would cover all these expenses and would not result in a loss to Government if the standard rate were paid by all. It was, however, made clear that in the event of the actual cost being less than the standard rate, a charge would only be made of the actual cost. At a later date when it became necessary to issue some final bills, the standard rates were reduced to $3 and $2 respectively for those who remained in the Centres after 1st September.

37. When the refugees were about to arrive it was arranged that they would be received in the Happy Valley Centre without question and would be housed and fed for twenty-four hours. Registration would take place and meal tickets would be issued covering a period of a week during which time an investigation would be carried out as to the financial standing of the refugees and a decision made whether further credit should be allowed.

38. This investigation was most competently organized by Mrs. R. A. C. North, who was, however, deterred by illness from carrying out the individual examinations. These were ably and sympathetically done by Mrs. B. C. K. Hawkins and Mrs. D. Kelvin Stark together with Mrs. E. Colter, who, as Secretary of the British Womens' Association of Shanghai, brought local knowledge to the aid of the Committee. A questionnaire form was filled up in respect of each family. (Appendices 4 and 5). It is possible that the investigations of this Committee led to some misunderstanding on the part of the refugees, as cases arose where refugees had stated they could only pay some ridiculously small sum and later claimed that as this had been recorded by the Committee they, were exempted from paying what they had originally signed to pay.

39. While this investigation has proved of considerable value, the basis on which it was originally organized was erroneous. The question did not arise whether credit should be extended beyond the first week. Practically all those who had funds and could afford to support themselves left the Centres before the expiration of the first week or ten days and found private accommodation. Only those who were destitute or at least temporarily without funds remained and most of the accounts have had to be held over for collection after the refugees returned to Shanghai.

40. It then became necessary to organize a Records

Records Office. Miss Joan Massey (now Mrs. J. Findlay) a member of the staff of H.M.'s Consulate-General in Shanghai, and Mrs. W. Elliot were appointed to take charge of the records and