โท
succeeding accomplishing its object, would almost of a
certainty defeat its own ends. The Chinese might be encour-
aged to procure properly certified certificates of the
cause of death, but anything in the form of compulsion ought
to be avoidea, especially at the commencement of the attempt
to introduce among them the benefits of Western medical
science. At present many of the deaths occurring among the
Chinese are accompanied by certificates. The attached table
shews the number of deaths in Victoria in 1891, and how
many were accompanied by certificates. If the ceaths in the
Convents are included, and I think it is not unreasonable
that they should be, seeing that European doctors attend
these institutions, this table shews that 66 per cent of
the deaths in Victoria are accompanied by certificates. It
is true that the majority of these certificates, which were
given by native inters in the Tung Wa Hospital, are in
many instances too general. But the Colonial Surgeon who has
the right by Ordinance to enter that Hospital at all times
might be able to suggest to the native doctors how the cer-
tificates issued by them might be improved and made of more
value for statistical purposes than they are at present,
As regards the second object, which the scheme
has in view, the furnishing of medical assistance and medi-
cines to the poorer classes of Chinese resicent in the Co-
lony, I think every one will acknowledge that that is an
object which should receive every encouragement. Indeed I
think that this Government is bound to help the Chinese in
this direction. Our present medical service costs this Co-
lony in round figures about $40,000 a year, and the Chinese
who as rate-payers contribute the larger portion of that
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