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Q-Do you think it would be better to have the Society associated with the Government or have it registered as a private society independent of the Government and its association?
A.—I am not able to answer this question without more knowledge regarding it than I at present possess.
Honourable Ho KAI-You say that they should not assist the Government at all in the detection of crime but simply confine their attention to the Home?
A. I think so
Q.-In what way
They might still assist the Police in the detection of crime.
?
A. In any way that occurred to them. There is no reason why they should not assist the Police. I consider that crime should be dealt with through the instrumentality of the Police.
Q-And that they should go direct to the Police instead of going through the Registrar General's department?
A.-I believe that the cases which go before the Registrar General are simply cases connected with Ordinance 11 of 1890 and that Ordinance provides that the persons must go before him.
Q-You think that so far as the Home for rescuing girls exists for a charitable purpose the Government should support it?
A.--I think so.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-And further that that Home should be under the control of, say, the present members of the Pó Léung Kuk permanent board, and that the ultimate disposal of the girls, whether they are married or returned to their country, or however they may be dealt with, should be left to the majority of that committee ?
A. It is impossible for me to say that, without knowing more than I do about the working of the institution.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.—I don't know whether I am in order, but did you ask Mr. WODEHOUSE whether it would be better for the Society to work as heretofore or to be put under some official control? Because I was going, to remark that from all the evidence it has been most distinctly stated by all Chinese advocating the cause of this Ordinance being passed, that they want it simply because they, in that case, would have the majority of votes, so as to overrule the Registrar General.
Honourable Ho KAI-No, no.
The CHAIRMAN.-I do not accept that summing up, Mr. CHATER, but that is a point we need not go into now.
Major-General A. H. A. GORDON called.
The CHAIRMAN.---You are Captain Superintendent of Police ?
A. Yes.
The CHAIRMAN.The members of this Committee have expressed a wish to ask you a few questions relative to the Pó Léung Kuk.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Have you ever visited the Home of the Pó Léung Kuk ?
A.-No.
Q. You have never attended any meetings of the Committee of the Society? A.-No, never.
Q.-You are aware that the Society has several detectives ?
A. Yes.