70 years ago: Hong Kong's wartime diaries

There's a revealing letter on page two of today's China Mail. 

In reponse to Marcus da Silva's radio appeal (September 23) for everyone to work together in the rebuilding of Hong Kong, the correspondent points out that a fair wage which would make appeals to 'pride and patriotism' unnecsessary.

He accepts that 'Europeans' should be given preference, but reminds the readers that 'local' people like himself, who can't claim to have been POWs or Internees, endured worse. There's no need for such people to prove their patriotism - that was done during the hostilities (when the writer) was in Essential Services) and the occupation.

Clerks - he seems to be one - have been told by 'a former taipan' that HK$2 a day is the best the Government can offer them, and that is simply not enough to live on. Espeially as many people like himself have not yet been paid for their work during the hostilities or received their December 1941 slaary from their former employers.

The letter is signed 'Ex-Torturee'.