霎
refering band for the thesageries Maritimes, and that no wok has
been performed for French ships [meaning, presumably, Sheps of War]
compulsion used.
2. The Ahnical Offic
axd
no
is in Can-
munciation with the Forceps Offre on
tus subject.
Tues 28/10/84
THE FRENCH AND CHINESE LABOUR.
SIR J. HAY asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if information had been received of a riot ot Hongkong consequent upon the compulsory employment of Chinese labour to coal French ships employed in hostilities with China; and whether directious would be sent to tho authorities at Hongkong and Singapore to refrain from er forcing any contract to labour which might have been entered into by our Chinnee fellow-subjects who from patriotic reasons might reasonably object to such employ-
ment.
Mr. ASHLEY.-We received from the Governor of Hougkong on the 6th of October a telegram in which he in- formed us that there had been a strike of boatmen and labourers-that 100 soldiers had been quartered for four days in the Tung Wah Hospital to support the police, but that they were not required to act; that one Chinese bad been killed and five Bikh constables wounded. We asked by telegram whether the Chinese labourers had been compelled to work on Frenchs ships. In reply we were informed that several persons had been fined for re- fusing to work for the Messageries Maritimes, but that no work had been performed for other French ships. We telegraphed to ask the Governor under what law these labourers were fined. I must therefore ask the bon. baronet
to wait a few days for the answer to the second question. Į
may add
vernor that on the 3d of September the G
the French Admiral Léspos that the pro- visions of the Foreign Enlistment Act must be carried out, and Admiral Lépée, in reply, gave an assurance that they would be fully respected by French ships. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. NEWDEGATE asked whether, when hostilities were being carried on between two other rowers, without a declaration of war, it this country supplied munitions for such hostilities to one of the belligerents, we might not be held responsible for such a proceeding,
To answer was given to this question,
bed with to 7.0. that had decly
will be glad to know that instructions
Thorlth from 6 the Govenor with
xference to me) Hays 2nd quation, красне
کی
the subject generally put the hout a wthe 11th he
hey
Enlistment act noticed in
numite of
D.
Ad. 25.
an 18006
Reun
the Doujin
Un Bramisting
oct 25-
2.a.
25 och.
263