660
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH JULY, 1881.
of
Emigration from Canton is proceeding with the sanction of the Chinese Authorities, but, it is to be feared, under less strict regulations for the protection and welfare of the emigrants during the passage than if they embarked at this port, and the Chamber would suggest that the conveyance passengers, which was formerly allowed from this Colony, should, in the protection of emigrants, be again permitted.
I have, &c.,
The Honourable FREDERICK STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
(Signed) W. KESWICK,
Chairman.
No. 664.
ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY TO CHAIRMAN, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 12th April, 1881.
SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, enclosing a resolution of the Chamber of Commerce memorializing the Governor to withdraw the restrictions on the emigration of Chinese to Honolulu.
2. In reply, I am to refer you to the correspondence published for general information in the Government Gazette on the 11th of December, 1880.
3. In that correspondence you will observe a letter addressed by Mr. MAY, Acting Colonial Secretary, on the 30th of January, 1879, to Messrs. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., informing them, in reply to their application to send Chinese to Honolulu and Peru in the S. S. Perusia, that the Governor could not sanction any Chinese emigration involving contracts of service to the Sandwich Islands.
4. I am also to invite the attention of the Chamber of Commerce to my letter of the 24th of November, 1880, respecting Mr. KOOPMANSCHAP'S application for the Governor's licence for Chinese emigration to Honolulu. In that letter I said:"Governor Sir JOHN POPE HENNESSY desires me to "state, in reply, that he will be very happy to consider in Council any application of the kind, under "the Imperial Emigration Act and the Emigration Ordinances of this Colony." No further application was, however, made on the subject; and Mr. KoOPMANSCHAP admitted that the Chinese emigration to Honolulu was emigration under contract of service.
5. Rule 4 of the printed Rules issued for the last six years by the Emigration Officer respecting Chinese emigration says:-" Emigration under contract of service is prohibited, unless the ship shall "be proceeding to a British Colony." That particular rule was framed under instructions from Her Majesty's Government, and those instructions are still in force. I am to repeat what His Excellency has so often said on this subject, that the Governor would be happy to consider any application for sending Chinese to Honolulu, provided such emigration was not under contract of service.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
The Honourable WILLIAM Keswick,
Chairman, Chamber of Commerce,
&c.,
&c.,
&c.
KAJ
MESSRS. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co. To ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
HONGKONG, 27th January, 1879.
SIR, AS Agents for the Belgian steamer Perusia, now lying in this Harbour, we venture to address you upon the subject of the conveyance by the said steamer of Chinese Passengers from Hongkong to Honolulu and Peru, with the object of your laying the matter before His Excellency the Governor.
2. We are given to understand that a very considerable number of well-to-do Chinese, chiefly of the shop-keeping and trading class, are desirous of proceeding both to Honolulu and Peru.