There's a coup at the Evacuation Representation Committee: a 'mass meeting' at the Peninsula Hotel passes a vote of no confidence in the committee, which resigns as a body. A new committee is elected.
On August 20 the Acting Honorary Secretary W. V. Taylor had written to the South China Morning Post making 'certain accusations' against his fellow members and announcing his intention to resign. Mr. Taylor expanded his case at the meeting, but the Chairman C. E. Terry denied the implication of 'bad faith' and was supported by the Vice-Chairman G. F. MacGregor. One committee member, policeman Jim Shepherd, gave some support to Taylor.
R. J. Banks was elected Chairman, with Taylor now confirmed as Honorary Secretary and Shepherd one of the committee members.
The meeting also resolved to present a letter demanding an end to the Evacuation Order to the Governor, but when committee members try to present it at 6 p.m. tomorrow it will not be 'convenient' to see them.
Source:
Hong Kong Telegraph, September 1, 1941, page 3