Notes:
12/5/44 - New Water meter to replace the one stolen 50.-
- May rent 10.-
17/5/44 - Sold 15¢ ((Catties)) Australian Flour to P.......((?)) @ ¥12-00 = ¥180-00
22/5/44 - Took delivery of 50 Catties from Mr Lim's Shop ((of rice))
- Haircut. Jim 80¢ Self 1-00 1.80
23rd - 2 Elec Bills 3-22 + 14-88 18.10
- 5 boxes matches
Supporting information:
Franklin Gimson's attempt to put an end to criticism over information he's given to Sir Arthur Blackburn has failed:
Later I heard that some sort of representations were being organised against me in view of the fact that I am supposed to have given through Sir Arthur Blackburn a false impression of the position in Stanley and so am responsible for the failure of the British Government to repatriate us previously. I confess at first I was amused but nothing is further from the truth. I have persistently advocated repatriation, in fact did so at a time when the camp were really not prepared for it. These facts however I cannot communicate and so must await the result of these representations if indeed they are ever forwarded.
Franklin Gimson, Diary, Weston House, Oxford, p. 72 (recto)
Note: Some commentators have ignored this statement and portrayed Gimson as opposed to a general repatriation on the grounds that this would be tantamount to admitting that the British community were 'birds of passage' in Hong Kong and thus weaken London's claim to re-establishment of sovereignty after the war. It seems Gimson believed that a British claim could be established by keeping a small nucleus of officials, including himself, in the Colony. He was even willing to return as part of a general repatriation if that was the outcome of negotiations. Of course, we now know that no-one was sent home after the Canadian-American repatriation of September 1943, but business connected with the possibility took up much of the time of Gimson and other officials throughout 1944.
Overcast, showery, cool.
Ground rice (alone) Chopped fire-wood. 4hrs.
Much awaited meeting took place. Hatori “understood” that repat. negotiations were proceeding, and that the hitch was due to one of our dominions (Aust?) refusing to agree with Japans requirements, that the parcels had left Japan & were expected in the near future, that this month’s I.R.C. money had arrived (where is last months) that some alterations were likely in our original Rep. list. He said we would be allowed to notify the Swiss minister in Tokyo re our present rations. Altogether disappointing. More waiting, tighter belts and more patience required.
Choir practice 6.30pm.
Saw Steve first to tell him the results of the meeting.
3Pkts cigs arrived.
Black-out cancelled.
Rec. letter 3-5-43 from home.