491
course
conversation
M.
Valdevallano raised the question whether it would not be for the advantage of the Chinese to receive a smaller monthly wage with rations, than a higher wage to provide their own subsistence. Mr. Denningham entered into a calculation to show that in effect the former would be much advantageous to the immigrant. On the other hand it must be remembered that a payment partly in rations affords very great facilities for fraud and imposition, especially on strangers to the country. Upon the whole, therefore, it would, it seems, be better that the Chinese should receive the full wages promised them and find themselves, than that they should be rationed out of their wages by their employer.
As further emigration from Hongkong to Peru has been prohibited, the case, so far as British subjects are concerned, can only arise with reference to the Emigrants by the Fredericke. Should these desire to be rationed their number is so small that Mr. Denningham would no doubt be able to secure that in carrying out the arrangement they should be fairly treated.
Under these circumstances it may perhaps be considered