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Q. What are the results of these inquiries?
A.--I don't think there is any foundation for the suggestion that there is a union. Q-Have you inquired of the District Watchmen ?
A. Yes, and of some Chinese gentlemen. There are only these clubs.
Q. You have heard of cases of boycotting?
A. Yes.
Q.-Now, how is it possible to boycott unless an organization of some sort exists?
A.-Well, these Hok-los are very clanuy, and I have no doubt that great numbers of them come from the same district and they stick together very closely. I don't think there is any need to require an organization to account for the boycotting,
Q.-Do you think it is due to living in the same coolie house ?
A.-Living in the same coolie house and being strangers in Hongkong, speaking a different language, associating together very much and being in the habit of joining associations for various purposes. I don't think, therefore, that there is any need for a special organization among them for dealing with wages and boycotting.
Q.-You think it is only the tendency of the Chinese to combine, and that is sufficient to account for it without any organization?
A. Yes.
Mr. Wilcox. They simply pass the word along?
A. Quite so.
The Chairman. I take it that you would be in favour of photographing these people?
A.-Oh they must be photographed if you are going to license them.
Q.-You had not any experience, had you, of the working of the old Registration Ordinance which apparently ceased to operate in 1888--the Victoria Registration Ordinance, No. 7 of 1866 ?
A.-I had no experience of it.
Q-Personally, have you had any difficulty in procuring and keeping your coolies?
A. I have had no experience.
Q-Don't you keep coolies?
A. No.
Q.Haven't you kept any at all within the last five years?
A--I have only kept some for a month. I found it much simpler and less troublesome just to engage them as I wanted them.
Q.--If you kept regular coolies, how would you engage them ?
A. One of the servants would go out and get them.
Q.--One of your own domestic servants?
A. Yes.
Q.-You did not call in the aid of the District Watchman?
A.-No.
Q-Nor the shroff?
A.-No; I engaged them in the ordinary way,