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Honourable C. P. CHATER.-What I contend is, that to go to work in the way proposed by the Governor, we should never get to the end of the commission at all. I put a question, receive an answer, and want to put another, I have to wait a fortnight to do so.
Whereas all I have to ask is four or five questions of the various members of the Committee, and it will be over in half an hour. They distinctly state to the Governor that it is inconvenient for them to attend. I go upon that. If they say that they want to be examined last, as Mr. MAY suggests, I have no objection.
The CHAIRMAN.Do you agree to having all the other witnesses called first and then the Committee of the Pó Léung Kuk asked to come ?
Honourable C. P. CHATER.—I don't mind in the least. I want some of the members of the Committee here to satisfy myself on certain points.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--We might go through the form of having the other witnesses, and then the Pó Léung Kuk Committee may say, "No, we won't appear. We will answer any questions in writing."
Honourable Ho KAI.-We asked the Government to give us power to summon witnesses and they refused to do it. Even if the Government gave us that power I don't think our constitutional law would permit us to compel the defendants to begin first.
The CHAIRMAN.-Do you, Dr. Ho KAI, agree to calling all the other witnesses first?
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-Provided the Pó Léung Kuk Committee promise to
appear.
The CHAIRMAN.—Of course.
Honourable Ho KAL.-I do not object.
Honourable F. H. MAY.-I agree to that.
The CHAIRMAN.--I should like to know, before going any further, how many more witnesses are to be called. How many more witnesses have you, Mr. WHITEHEAD?
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-I really cannot tell you just now.
The CHAIRMAN.--We ought to have some idea now of how much longer we are likely to be.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--I should like to call several Chinese witnesses, but since my accident I have been rather at sea and I have not been able to follow it up. I think Mr. EDE might be asked to attend. I don't know whether Mr. CHATER has anyone to suggest?
Honourable C. P. CHATER.--I don't know of any one.
Honourable Ho KAL-To finish the subject, I would ask whether I would have the Committee's sanction, supposing I was in a position to persuade the Pó Léung Kuk Committee to attend, to state certain facts in connection with the proceedings of this Committee, as for instance, tell them what they are wanted for, and that certain charges against them have been modified.
The CHAIRMAN.-There are no charges.
Honourable Ho KAI.--And that we only want them to come forward and give information ?
The CHAIRMAN.I would suggest that Dr. Ho KAI should do so, that he be authorised to inform the Committee that there are no charges against them and that the members of this Committee are anxious to get them here to throw light on the subject.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-That is my position exactly.