HONG KONG

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4534, 9 February 1942, Page 3

HONG KONG

IN WAR’S FURNACE A CULTURE CENTRE (By S.K.) Hong Kong, lately captured by the Japanese, has long been conspicuous in the Far Eastern foreground. By reason of her occupancy of a key position she was an early victim of that attack, which is destined to make Sunday/, 7th December, 1941, a date indelible and ingloriously memorable in Japan’s history. The occasion, however, serves to recall the civic reforms, the administrative efficiency, and cultural progress which have been achieved throughout the bygone years in Hong Kong, or, as the Chinese call it, Hiang Kiang, “ the island of fragrant streams.” Situated off the south-east coast of China, opposite the province of Kwang-tung, it was first discovered by the Portuguese, who called the island “ Ladrones ’’—Thieves—on account of the notorious practices of the old inhabitants.

But this area of 390 square miles, with a normal population of 970,000, and a war-time population of almost twice the number, has proved to be the saviour of China in more than one way. It has meant escape to hundreds of thousands who otherwise would probably have died violently. The Chinese call Hong Kong also the “ City of Refuge ” because when trouble arises in any part of China there is a tremendous exodus to it. All kinds of fugitives, except those who have committed some crime, are certain of protection. Hong Kong is one of those places in the Far East where the Orientals have become convinced of British justice, especially since Sino-Japanese hostilities broke out.

The Chinese, however, were not always certain that British positions in the Far East might bring help to them. In 1841, when Kishin, the Chinese commissioner, handed over the island to Britain, there was a great uproar in Peking. There was such consternation that the Emperor disallowed the treaty. In the following year, however, a new treaty was ratified. In June, 1843, Hong Kong became a separate colony, but was governed by the Minister plenipotentiary until 1857. Only then did it become an independent but responsible body of the British Empire. GOVERNING SYSTEM It has since been ruled by a Governor and executive council, composed of the Colonial Secretary, the officer commanding the troops, the AttorneyGeneral, the Registrar-General, the Treasurer, and the Director of Public Works. There is also a legislative council of ten, five of whom are official, the other five unofficial, members. Three of the unofficial members are nominated by the Crown (one of whom must be Chinese), one by the Chamber of Commerce, and one by the Justice of the Peace. These bodies are responsible for the defence of Hong Kong. To maintain order in this city, bristling with hundreds of thousands of refugees, if panic breaks, out, will be as great a task as defending it. Justice is administered by a Supreme Court, a Police Court,, and a Marine Magistrate’s Court. The police consist of Europeans, Chinese, and East Indians. The latter are bearded Sikhs, who speak at least one of the Chinese dialects—mostly Cantonese—perfectly. They are the most important section of the police force, and would have to maintain order in the evacuation of the Chinese population if the situation became sufficiently grave. CHINESE BABEL The population consists of PuntisCantonese, who live in the valleys and are good traders and excellent agriculturists; the Hakkas, a hardy, frugal race, belonging mainly to the hill districts; the Tankas, who are the boat people—thousands of them living in small junks, hardly ever leaving the unhealthy craft. There is a chaos of languages, a modern Chinese babel in the narrow streets. These are the lucky ones. For them to arrive in Hong Kong from the Shanghai district is the same as for the population of suppressed Europe to reach England, no matter' what the cost. For them, too, it means justice, fair treatment, and protection against aggressors. Kong Kong is in normal times a safe port. But not so long ago, even, as late as 1529, pirates Were a menace to the coasts of the colony. Mostly Chinese, they employed the same methods as those used by American gangsters. Boats were attacked, passengers kidnapped and held for ransome, goods were stolen, and re-sold in Hong Kong and Shanghai, or “ exported ” abroad. The pirates had their headquarters at Bias Bay, with a perfect spy system. The Tankas had to co-operate, not only for the small profit they derived from the pirates, but for fear that their small houseboats and other craft might be

destroyed. By means of a never-ceas-ing struggle, the British authorities eradicated the evil. Hong Kong itself consists of the Kowloon Peninsula, called by the Chinese “ Kau Lung ” —nine dragons—which covers an area of four square miles. Then there are the so-called New Territories, an area of 356 square miles, leased to Great Britain in 1898 for 99 years; then the capital, Victoria itself, 32 square miles. To give the actual population in any of these territories would be impossible. Chinese are numberless, desperate, afraid, but at the same time hardened by their experiences. A CULTURE CENTRE For the Oriental world Hong Kong is more than an exile: it is the centre of the Far Eastern culture which was hunted out from almost every part of China. The Hong Kong University in the Bonham Road, a quiet quarter of Victoria, was founded in 1912, with contributions from the Chinese, British, and Parsee inhabitants. The late Sir T. Mody, a fabulously rich Parsee, gave the nftiney for the main building, while the Government donated the site of 25 acres. The facilities are medicine, arts, and engineering; the professors and lecturers are graduates from British Universities. The Parsees, not so much in number, but in wealth, form an important part of the community of Hong Kong. They are mainly shopkeepers and merchants—as in British India.