Hongkong, Sept. 18.
Following a recent indication that the Government may force the departure of persons who have evaded evacuation, nearly 70. women and children will sail to Australia toward the week-end, Heavy bookings are also reported for a second vessel sail~ ing early in October.
An order under the Emergency Reulations was gazetted on September 4, stopping the return to Hongkong of women and children, who previously had been evacuated. The order applies to all nationalities and provides that no women, or children Under 16, shall enter the colony without a special police permit, while those at present here who avoided the evacuation may be ordered. leave.
Additional powers are being grant ed to the Government to enforce their departure, Heavy penalties are provided for non-compliance, including fine, not exceeding $1,000, and imprisonment not exceeding one year. Also the police, and others so authorized, may use force to carry out their orders if necessary:—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.