Extract from “Daily Press" of 20th June, 1893.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD-I rise to oppose the third reading of this Bill, and to move, if it is necessary for me to conclude with a motion, its rejection. I do so with no hope of success, as I am aware, from your Excellency's statements, that the minds of the official majority of the Council were made up on the subject before the present Bill was laid a first time on the table, and that no arguments of mine are likely to influence them. My sole object in speaking is to record my protest against the passing of the Bill in its present form, and to preserve my right of appeal to the Secretary of State. I intend to address His Lordship on the subject and to urge the return of the Bill to the Council for amendment before it is finally approved. I am in favour of the Pó Léung Kuk, of its incorporation and endowment, and I voted for the second reading of this Bill. I am, however, distinctly opposed to the organization given the Society by this Bill, as in my opinion the inclusion of the Registrar-General as a Member of the Board of Direction deprives the Government in large measure of that oversight and supervision which was the professed object of the Bill to give to the Government. I would sweep away, if I could, the Registrar-General's department, but so long as the Office and the department exist and so long as the Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance No. 11 of 1890 is in force, I object to the powers given to the Registrar-General by that Ordinance being exercised subject to the control of a majority of Chinese, who as the honourable the nominee representative of the Chinese community has to admit, are ignorant of the principles and practice of English law. There is no inconsistency in the two views; neither is there any want of consistency in my opinions that in this Council British subjects ought to be more largely and more effectively represented, and that we would be better governed than we are if it were so; but while the vast mass of alien Chinese who are resident in this Colony remain estranged from western ideas, they can take no part in the management of our affairs, and have no just or rightful claim to a controlling voice in the Government. They are entitled to be heard and consulted, but the power and authority must rest in the ruling race and in its representatives. In giving expression to these opinions I am in touch with most of the intelligent members of the community; I was in touch with them when originally opposed to the Pó Léung Kuk; I have carried many with me in my change of opinion as to the merits of the Society. I am happy to say that in my opposition to clause 5 of this Bill I have the concurrence of many of the leading residents and Government servants, who have given the subject thought and consideration. I shall be very much surprised, Sir, if the Home Government do not find cause to disallow the Bill in its present form.
Governor.
No.
buison 139
Date.
1893
30 June
Last previous Paper.
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1931
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No. 13440
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