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that in such Colonies it is the duty of every man to prepare himself so that he may be available to assist in the defence of the Colony, of his own interests, and, should occasion arise, of the women and children who live around him. As regards Hong Kong, I am glad to say that I see no immediate prospect of the hour of need coming upon us, but in these days wars arise at short notice, and their course is often largely affected by the initiatory action in them. Again, events occurring outside this Colony, and over which the Colony has no control, may produce unrest which might culminate in serious internal disturbance. Those who have taken no steps to prepare themselves for personal service in such eventualities would, I believe, have reason to reproach themselves if such events produced even only a temporary disaster. It seems to me that personal service is a white man's burden, and that we dare not stoop to less. Every form of service is a burden, but I do not think you will sympathize with those who "call too loud on freedom to cloak their weariness." The burden imposed by the conditions of the Reserve Association is a light one, and I trust that all those in this room who are eligible will, if they have not already done so, take upon themselves this evening this burden. I do not base my appeal to you on the recreation which is likely to be derived from rifle shooting, although I hope it will prove a recreation, and I will do everything in my power to make it one. I do not, either, base my appeal on the pleasure it will give me of seeing a scheme which I have made my own a success. I only ask you to join this Association for one reason, and that is the best of reasons- because it is the right thing to do.

Enclosure 5.

Minutes of Meeting of Volunteer Reserve Association held in the Council Chamber on

November 29, 1904.

HIS Excellency the Governor presided.

His Honour the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Gershom Stewart, and some forty other gentlemen were present.

His Excellency explained that the object of the meeting was to elect a Committee to manage the affairs of the Association, and thereafter to give that Committee any directions that the meeting might consider desirable at this stage.

His Excellency proposed that the Committee should number eight with a Chairman, and that four members should form a quorum.

This was agreed to.

His Excellency next invited the meeting to nominate a Chairman of Committee.

On the motion of Mr. G. Stewart, seconded by Mr. E. A. Hewett, Sir Henry Berkeley was unanimously elected Chairman.

His Excellency then invited suggestions for membership of the Committee.

The Colonial Secretary moved that Messrs. G. Stewart, G. L. Duncan, A. H. Skelton, A. Mackenzie, F. Maitland, and G. W. G. Winterburn, be elected members of Committee, and asked for suggestions for two others, preferably from residents on the lower levels of Hong Kong or at Kowloon.

Mr. U. A. Farrell moved that Mr. C. W. Y. Brett be elected a member.

Mr. E. Ormiston moved that the Colonial Secretary be elected a member.

His Excellency then moved that the eight gentlemen whose names had been mentioned be elected members of the Committee.

Mr. G. Stewart moved, and Mr. E. A. Hewett seconded, that Mr. W. H. D. Davies be appointed Secretary. The motion was carried unanimously, and his Excellency thanked Mr. Davies for undertaking the duties.

It was agreed, on the suggestion of his Excellency, that the Committee should furnish quarterly returns of the membership of the Association to the Commandant of the Hong Kong Volunteers.

It was also agreed that vacancies in the Committee should be filled by co-option of members of Committee.

It was further agreed that the management of the Association be vested in the hands of the Committee without imposing on the latter the duty of seeking endorsement of its action by reference to general meetings of the Association.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY J. W. HARRISON.—22/2/1905.

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