129
and the perfect security they enjoy.”
In his opinion, Hongkong led the Empire in its fair treatment of a subject people. "There is probably no possession in the whole world," he affirmed, “where so great an amount of freedom, compatible with safety and good government is enjoyed by a protected race.
19
The editor also contended that "the night pass system received the support of the well-disposed among the Chinese as well as the approval of the foreign community generally; and those enactments which may be said to owe their origin to the presence of the most ignorant mass of the native population there being no such class to legislate for among the foreigners cannot be regarded as 'class legislation' in any objectionable sense.
—
A European who signed himself “Sinensis” took exception to the opinion of the editor. In his view, it was indeed class legislation and, therefore, objectionable. He had been discussing the matter with a number of important Chinese and they shared his opinions.
He touched a sore spot in the relation between foreigners and Chinese when he wrote: "I notice several letters have appeared in the Mail animadverting the conduct of our new Governor for being disposed to initiate a more liberal policy toward the Chinese, I am not surprised at this. It is the natural fear of a 'superior race' who do not wish to see the natives placed on a level with them."
He encouraged Governor Hennessy to remain true to his liberal convictions. “I trust, however, His Excellency will not be swayed by such remarks, but carry out his policy according to his best judgments."
The position of "Sinensis" was supported by a long letter on "Flogging and Class Legislation" by "A Chinaman." The detailed knowledge of the laws of Hongkong and their implications indicate that the writer must have been the English-trained barrister Ng Choy.