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slavery-well, not slavery, but somewhat like my own profession where a solicitor is bound to do work at a certain rate. But then a solicitor has got to pass an examination and other people are not allowed to come into the profession. Any Chinaman can volunteer to be a servant and registration would be the only qualification. I don't think that you would find it answer very well.
[This concluded Mr. Dennys' evidence.]
CHARLES COLEMAN COHEN sworn:--
The Chairman.—Mr. Cohen, you have resided in this Colony for many years; since when?
A.I have resided here since 1857.
Q. When you came to the Colony, there was no Registration Ordinance? A. Not when I first came.
Q. During the time before the Registration Ordinance was brought into effect did you have any difficulty in obtaining good servants?
A.-None whatever.
Q. At moderate wages?
A.-At very moderate wages.
Q.-Do
Q. Do you know what gave rise to the Victoria Registration Ordinance No. 7 of 1866 ?
A.—I don't know what gave rise to it.
Q. Do you remember how it worked ?
A.-As far as I know, it worked very well.
Q.-So far as you remember, did the majority of residents here comply with the law and have their servants registered?
A. Yes, certainly, and I think all respectable servants were only too glad to be registered.
Q.-A certificate of registration was in effect a certificate of respectability ?
A. Yes. No respectable people ever took in servants without a registration ticket.
Q.-Section 27 of the Ordinance says [quoting it.]—Do you remember any person who was prosecuted for employing unregistered servants?
A.-There have been cases, but I don't remember who they were at present.
Q. Can you remember who instituted the proceedings, was it the Registrar Gen- eral or was it the Police ?
A.-I can't tell you.
Q.-Have you experienced any difficulty in recent years in getting private servants, ricksha and chair coolies ?
A. Yes, we have had lots of trouble in getting coolies. They are continually going away and all kinds of riff-raff come in their places-not respectable ones.
Q. How do you account for the difficulty?
A.—The demand is so great, I fancy.
before come and offer for service.
Q. Are there other reasons?
any
New men who have never carried a chair
A.-I don't know of any myself. They are getting much better wages now and, I don't suppose they pay any more for their living except house rent. They may pay a little more for food.