BRITAIN’S OUTPOST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20603, 3 November 1941, Page 2

BRITAIN’S OUTPOST

HONG KONG FORTRESS DEFENCE PREPARATIONS Tlie once barren, malarial island whi.eh celebrated its centenary of British rule earlier this year as one of the greatest ports in the world, has become, as a result ol' the war, an integral part in a wider Far Eastern sphere, no longer a pawn, but a tactor, in the politics of the Pacific. ' After serving .as the entrepot of South China ! fbr 100 years, Hong Kong stands to-day as Britain's most advanced outpost in the Far East, a fortress ready to-give blbw for blow if attacked. . ,''! Politically a Crown colony, economically a port of China, strategically a naval base. Hong Kong has a double part to play in the life-and-death struggle, in which the Empire is engaged: to assist the Imperial war effort by producing ships, war materials, and foreign ex-change, and, to make itself as strong as possible in the common defence of the Empire. Although a trifle slow in starting, Hong Kong can promise an assailant that he will get as good as he gives. Defence Preparations. Hong Kong’s beaches, like the shores of England, Gristle wun barbed wire; minefields, booms and shore batteries guard the approaches to its unrivalled harbour; ana heavy guns ol no mean range and hating power are hidden in the hills. Owing to the hills, ii is true, the colony is snort of aerodromes, but this is offset by the new technique of larger defence areas made possible by tne increasing range and mobility of the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm. The garrison has been strongly reinforced with British regulars, Indian troops, Chinese sappers, and British volunteers. Hong Kong was the first part of the Empire to conscribe its man-power, ana every able-bodied Briton here must either do his share of training in the fighting force, or, if engaged in essential service work, serve in the lopal “home guard.”. Many young Chinese have joined the volunteers as machine-gunners,. and Americans as well as Allied, subjects are giving their services in the defence of the colony. Air-Raid Tunnels. Some six miles of air-raicl tunnels have been drilled in the hillsides on both sides of the harbour since last October, including a vast tunnel in the Happy Valley area which could shelter between 50,000 and 60,000 people. The work goes on night and day at the rate of 1500 ft. a week. The solid granite in the hillsides is often varied by loose rocks and water, and the tunnels, lined with strong timber frames, are later completed with stone and concrete.

The chief contribution to the Imperial war effort is the building of ships, which Hong Kong can turn out, v;ith its cheap skilled labour, faster than any other part of the Empire. Since the war started 11 cargo steamers of 9200 tons deadweight each have been put in hand. In addition, minesweepers and harbour defence craft are being built for the Royal Navy and ferry tenders for the Army. Besides voting £10,000,000 for these craft, Hong Kong has presented the Home Government with £IOO,OOO out of the last revenue surplus, £200,000 out of war taxation, and promised £200,000 a year for.the period of the war out of the profits of the exchange equalisation fund.