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Government determined (as the Imperial Parliament itself) not to enforce the tonnage test in the case of Chinese passengers, but to restrict by Space alone the number to be carried, and at all events to impose as little loss as possible on those who made contracts under the bona fide impression that the powers of the Passenger Act could still be permitted to slumber. Such a course gave considerable satisfaction to those
"Concerned": it was consistent with the spirit of the Act, and with a due regard to the safety and comfort of the Emigrant, and in conjunction with the panic which afterwards seized the inhabitants of "Melbourne", and caused them to view the influx of Chinese as a calamity
and not a benefit, and to endeavour to protect themselves therefrom by every available preventive.
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doubtless useful in procuring the quiet reception of the more comprehensive and burdensome restrictions which were ultimately adopted.
Finally, in consequence of instructions from home, notice was given that the Act would in future be fully enforced; but an exception was still made in favour of Ships (the "Alfred" being one) chartered or loaded during the existence of the temporary Rules, to which allusion has been made.
Every ship chartered since has been obliged to conform in every practicable particular to the letter of the Imperial Act. The result has not been beneficial; but the new fear
V.