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Q.-You do not know it at the Government Offices, but suppose you were talking it over at a dinner at your club, I think perhaps you might know more about it then?
A.-I never had any
talk over that.
Q.-If the Chinese Contractors will not assist at all in setting these things right they have only themselves to thank. When the Government comes forward and is anxious to help them they won't give any information.
A.-I have been telling what I know.
Q. Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-Is it not a well-known customs amongst Chinese, when they come to receive money from a foreigner, to pay a small commission or present to the compradore or shroff who pays it?
A. Very little.
Q.-Hon. A. LISTER.-Do you mean that the custom is rare, or that they give a very small present?
A.-I have not been paying any.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-But suppose you had to receive from my house a certain sum of money for any contract, and the compradore paid it, would you not give back something to the shroff? Is not that the custom?
A.-I don't know whether there is such a custom or not. I only collect money from the Government.
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Q. Do you do business with private people as well as the Government?
A.-Yes.
Q-Do you ever pay to the compradores of private people any present or commission?
A.-No, never.
Q.-You have never heard of such a thing in Chinese affairs?
A.-So far as my knowledge goes there is no such thing.
Q.-But you said just now "very little."
very little." What do you mean by saying now you
do not know of it at all?
A.-I mean to say I have never paid any myself. Whether other men have done so or not I cannot say.
Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-How long have you been a Government Contractor?
A.--About 12 years.
Q. What is the average profit you make out of Government contracts?
A.-Sometimes I can make money, and other times I have to lose.
Q.-On the whole do you think you have won or lost?
A.-I have made a little profit.