4 Feb 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
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An International Welfare Commmittee is set up and has its first meeting today. Its tasks are to determine the needs of individuals, to distribute fairly the items received, to distribute extra food as medically required, and to keep records of children and infants.
Dr. Selwyn-Clarke will do some of his work through this committee. Funding for extra food for the needy also came from a small surcharge on each article sold in the canteen.
Selwyn-Clarke is in camp today talking to the Temporary Committee. On February 2 they heard a letter in which he talked about the possibility of forming some kind of 'Internatonal Relief Fund' and they'd expressed the hope he could explain the idea in person. He does so today, saying that many internees have a great need for money and there are many inside and outside camp anxious to help. According to camp secretary John Stericker, this suggestion was the germ of the Informal Welfare Committee, based in town, which was later to supply the camp with clothing and drugs.
Sources:
International Commitee: G. B. Endacott and Alan Birch, Hong Kong Eclipse, 1978, 209
Informal Committee: John Stericker, Captive Colony, 1945, Chapter IV, page 7
Note:
References to the 'Welfare' in a Stanley context are usually to the International Committee.
