ENG-1951 — Page 16

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of the

year and came across fairly rich veins of these ores. This illicit mining was at one time threatening to cause serious erosion of the hills in the New Territories and pollution of the water supply. Superintendent of Mines was therefore appointed to the staff of the Commissioner of Labour in September and emergency legislation introduced shortly afterwards. This legislation has enabled the Police

to clear the areas most seriously affected which are now being mined under strict control by the holders of temporary mining licences. Permanent legislation is now being drafted to supersede the present temporary Emergency Mining Regulations.

Royal Hong Kong Defence Force

His late Majesty King George VI was graciously pleased to approve the use of the style Royal by the Hong Kong Defence Force.

The introduction of a Compulsory Service Bill, which became law in September and affected all British subjects of whatever race resident in Hong Kong, has provided the mechanism whereby the Defence Force, which had formerly been recruited on a voluntary basis, could be brought up to strength, and the assimilation of persons directed into the Force under this new Ordinance has on the whole been very successful. Training has proceeded steadily and satisfactorily and three well-organized annual camps, each lasting 15 days, were held in the autumn providing an excellent opportunity for intensive and continuous training and giving members of the Force a chance to get to know each other better and develop a proper esprit de corps.

The Royal Hong Kong Defence Force is constituted as a combined Force comprising a naval arm, the Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a military arm, the Hong Kong Regiment, and an air arm, the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Apart from the annual camps, the Force is organized on a part-time basis, the bulk of the training being done by members after office hours and in their spare time. A small cadre of full-time personnel, mostly seconded from the regular Forces, provides the necessary day-to-day control of routine affairs.

External Relations

Hong Kong's relations with other countries are extensive. Consulates General are maintained in the Colony by Belgium, France, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Panama, Thailand and the United States, and Consulates by Argentina, Norway, the Philippines, Portugal and Switzerland. Canada and Australia have Trade Commissioners resident in Hong Kong and there is also a United Kingdom Trade Commissioner appointed by the Board of Trade. The trading interests of several other countries are represented by honorary consuls. In the latter part of the year the Indian Repre- sentative in Singapore, whose district includes Hong Kong, paid a short

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