212
1.
(Copy.)
No. 243.
MY LORD,
26
(12)
Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to Secretary of State.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 26th May, 1885.
With reference to much previous correspondence on the same subject, and especially to my despatch No. 189 of 1883, (transmitting a Report by Mr. Justice RUSSELL,) and to Your Lordship's reply No. 284 of 1883, I have the honour to submit, for your consideration, the enclosed Bill," for the prevention of abuses connected with Child Adoption and Domestic Service."
2. This Bill was prepared by the Registrar General, and Proctor of the Chinese (Mr. STEWART) whose letter of explanation is appended. It has been read a first time in the Legislative Council. But, as the Attorney General objects to it for the reasons assigned in the annexed Report, and is inclined to believe that the existing laws on the subject afford sufficient protection, I have thought it right, before proceeding further with this Bill, to submit it for Your Lordship's consider- ation and instructions.
3. My opinion on this entire question is fully stated in my despatch No. 189 of 1883, to which I beg to refer.
4. I would now add that all men who like myself haye had long practical experience in the administration of public affairs will agree with me that, in addi- tion to the obvious general objections to all laws which confer autocratic and inquisitorial powers on individuals, a Ruler or Statesman should consider whether he is always sure of being able to lay his hand on officers to whom such extra- ordinary powers can be safely entrusted. Now no man could be properly entrusted with the powers which the proposed Bill would confer, who does not possess a thorough knowledge of the language, laws, customs, and feelings of the Chinese, and also very peculiar moral qualifications of patience and temper.
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5. It was a pregnant remark of the late Lord DERBY, when Secretary of State for the Colonies in addressing the first Governor of this Colony, that to the Chinese in Hongkong, the laws and customs of England "would be a rule of action and a measure of right equally unintelligible and vexatious." The Chinese resident in this island appear to be well satisfied with the present administration of affairs. Looking to this fact and to the exciting events which have of late stirred pro- foundly the entire Chinese nation, I am inclined to the opinion that it would be better (at all events, for the present,) to rest content with the strict execution of the existing laws, rather than to risk the disturbances which might follow from any mistake or accidental or otherwise, in the exercise of such novel and inquisi- torial powers as those which would be conferred by the proposed Bill. However, I shall await Your Lordship's instructions on this point.
Enclosure 1.
Enclosure 2,
Enclosure 3,
The Right Honourable
THE EARL OF DERBY, K.G.,
&.c..
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
G. F. BOWEN.
&c.,
&c.