FO371-27622 — Page 346

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With reference to Secretary of State's 275 to Governor, HongKong, the following report is forwarded.

This matter has been under the consideration of a

Committee composed of

Commodore A.C. Collinson

Colonel R.D. Walker, M. .C.

Mr. E. Cock, M.B«Z« {

Mr. J. Finnie

Captain F.L. Freeman, R.h. (Representing

the 0.0.0.)

presentin

2. With reference to paragraph 2, sub-paragraph (a) of the telegram above quoted, the Committee reached the following conclusions:

3. It was agreed that machine tools and other plant could be despatched at three days' notice from four of the principal firms. These are: --

(1) The Railway Company Workshops.

(11)

The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company.

(iii) The Taikoo Dook Company.

(iv) Hip Tung Wo.

Other firms considered included the South China

Ironworks. It was, however, agreed that it would be extremely difficult to approach this Chinese Government owned firm in advance, and it would involve difficult and undesirable negotiations with Chungking; added to which transport difficulties would be considerable if it was necessary to remove any of their plant at short notice. As stated it was therefore decided to make arrangements for shipment from the four firms referred to in paragraph 3 above.

5. A list of plant to be despatched at short notice is contained in Appendix A, together with the weights, dimensions, value, ete.

SHIPMENT OF PLANT.

6. In order to ship the above plant one vessel would be required at Whampoa and one at Taikoo. The Railway Company '■ and Hip Tung Wo's plant would be loaded into lighters and then transhipped to the vessel at the Whampoa Wharf. The question of whether it would be necessary to requisition ships for this purpose would have to be decided at the time. In addition to plant, it was considered that the firms should load as much material as possible while the plant was being diamantled and packed for despatch.

7. In addition it should be possible to load a considerable amount of material into standard ships completing, plans for the removal of which in emergency are completed.

8. With regard to personnel the firms have selected certain of their European staff to supervise the setting-up of plant on its arrival elsewhere. The names of the persons concerned have been forwarded separately in my minute dated 22nd May 1941 on C.S.c.38/6164/40, and are shown in Appendix C. In addition to the European personnel selected, Chinese fitters would also be despatched if obtainable. In this connection certain proposals are also made in regard to the pay to be offered to these employees, it being suggested they should receive

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salvage

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