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Honourable F. H. MAY.--Mr. Ho Fook is not a member. He cannot tell.
A. I know all the members.
་
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--They have met frequently and discussed this
matter?
up?
A.-I know they have discussed the matter.
Q.-You are merely giving it as your opinion, that the Society would be thrown
A.-Quite so.
Q.-The Registrar General without the aid of the Pó Léung Kuk could not carry on the work?
A.-No.
Honourable Ho KAL.-Do you mean unable to carry it on at all, or to the same
extent ?
A. He would not be able to carry it on as satisfactorily.
The CHAIRMAN.-You mean to say that the fact that he is able to consult the Chinese on Chinese matters gives him an additional aid which it would be difficult for him to obtain elsewhere?
A. Yes, that is what I mean.
Q.--And that in dealing with native affairs consultation with the natives, who must be better acquainted with their own customs than he, is almost a matter of primary necessity?
A.-Yes.
Q.-You mean that the Registrar General by that assistance and by consulting those gentlemen is able to carry on the work more satisfactorily than he could otherwise ,do?
A. He might do it.
Q.-But not so satisfactorily?
A.-No.
Q. If the Society does not get this concession from the Government, you say they will not continue the Society?
A.--I mean to say that it would be better for the present members to give it up.
Q.-To have no longer any Society at all?
A. Yes, if they don't receive encouragement, why should they go on?
Q.--You consider that they are doing such a good work that they ought to be encouraged?
A. Yes.
This concluded the evidence of the witness.
The CHAIRMAN.-Mr. WAI LONG SHAN is waiting to be called.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--I am afraid I cannot stay for his examination. I was not prepared for it.
The CHAIRMAN.This Committee has been dragging its slow length along for some time now. We have been sitting for more than two months. All we have to do is to enquire into the working of the Society.