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THE COMMITTEC REVI W THEIR POSITION, To the Editor of the Daily Press. SIR,As members of the Committee ap- pointed by the meeting held at the City Hall on Thursday, the 28th alt., to consider what should be done in the present labour crisis, we beg to request that you will publish the following statement of what we have done in the interval and of what has taken place.
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W. held immediately after the public meeting a meeting of the Committee to consider what steps we should take, and we unanimously d-orded that our first efforts should be in the direction of obtaining information as to what the griev ances of the coolies really were. With that object we samwosed at once the compradores of the leading firms to confer with na and on their advice we awaited the result of the tasting they were to bald themselves the same evening. We understand that this meeting continued until 10 p.m., and the following morning we were in- formed that they would meet us at 3 p m., t gether with representatives of other influential native firms, and communicate to us their views, We accordingly met them at 3 pm. ou Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce Room, audenquired whether they con inform us what the greivances of the olies were, it any, aud what they sup zested should be done under the circumsta nens. They replied that the great apprehension of the enolies was the proposal to register really copenal d be. bind it au iutention f the Government ultimately to impose a poil tax. We pointed out in the strongest way possibla in rejoinder that the idea of a poll tax was perfectly preposterons, and was entirely contrary to the general principle of British Colonial Government. His Exellency the Governor had already himself stated in Cnau. ail that such an idea was out of the question. We thereupon asked them if they had any other grievances, and their reply was that although they had not communicated with them the Chi- nese deputation understood that the coolies were afraid that if they were registered they would bereafter be treated in a similar manner to that to which th cargo-boat men had been subjected; for, although only a nominal foe had been charged at the cominenceweat, it was afterwards very considerably iuereased. The same had been done with the 'ricksha men, and they also ju- stanced the brothels. which are Low unregis. tered. and it seemed anomalous to them that honest free labour should be taxed, and thus be put below those who earned their livali- bood by vice. They added that although they were auable to communicate with the coole house keepers they were under the impression that if the landlord could ha sub. stitated for the teasut as the person to register under the Ordinance, the coolies would probably return to their work and business be resumed.
At this sta e it became necessary for us to ascertain what view His Excelleney the Go- vernor would be likely to take of such a proposal, and a member of the Commitee went to ascer tain whether is Excellerey could then be interviwed. Unfortunately the Governor at the time was afloat and it was impossible to sy when he would retara. The Committee there- fore decided that they would wait.
pon the Colonial Secretary, who was able to see them.
at the interview with Mr. Lookhurt the Com- mittee briefly related to him what had taken pl ea, and mentioned that if the registration of landlords was resorted to the coolies would pro- hably be satisfied. Mr, Lockhart, very natural. Jy, did not feel at liberty to express any opinion as to what view His Excellency might take of the matter, but he courteously promised to ses the Goreruor the same evening, and comanacivate to him what the Commitee had sail. The Committee intimated that they would not leave their offoss nutil 630 p.m. and would be at: His Excellency's disposal.
The Chinese depatation were meanwhile awaiting in the City Hall to return of the Com- mittee and they were informed what hal takeu plane. The Comuni̇ tee squirod, as fim» was of; the test urgut impostause, whether they did! not think that they could manage to bring fuanes to bear on the coolies, and parsnadu them to return to work at our. They stated that it was very d abifal, but they thought | that if the members of the Committee, who represented very important interests in the colony, were to give their personal guarantee, Į
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or the guarantee of their firar, whichever it might be, that there was no intrution of my posing a roll tax or registration fee, it might be possible to persuade the coolies to be satisfa and to return to work, A member of the Chis nere deputation, in consultation with others, ex- pressed a desire to know from the Committee what their views were as to aubstituting the land- lord for registratiou iustead of the tenant as pro posed. The Committee, in view of the fact that the hinese deputation, many of whom were import aut landlords, hat expressed a willingness to be gistered in place of the tenant in order to bridge the present difficulty, saw no reasou to objeet to the transposition, especially as the Government in the Ordinance recently passed provide for hia (the bun lor's) registration 322 default of the teuaut.
The Chinese deputation then asked the Com mitter if they would embody their views upon the abject of the landlord "being registered in their guarantee, to which the Committee 93- seated. This puurantee was then drawu up in Euglish in the teens which have appeared to the s public papers. The deputation thereupon in. Į formed the Committee that they would translate it into Chinese and aunounce it for the informa- ting of the coolies, and they hoped that it might have the desired effect. They mentioned that they felt much angioty on the subject, as their own losses consequent upon the strike warn verys-Vera. The Committee thereupon took leave of the de- potation, who, they bive subsequently learned, arranged to have the substance of this guarantee eirenlated in Chinese, Tater in the evening the Chairman reusived a letter from the Colonial Steretary dated at 7.30 p.m., a copy of which is affached (marked Al
Being late. about $05 p.m., no action could then be taken, but the letter was circulated this forenoon and a meeting of the Committee was cailed for 11.45 am to consider what should be dens in view of His Excellency's decision.
At 11.05.m. another letter was received from The Colonial Secretary hy the Chairmey, a copy of which is attached fi rked B). This letter was also submitted to the Committee at their meeting, and it was decided to ask His Excel. lency for an interview, which was arranged to take place at 2:30 pm.
The Committee accordingly waited upon Mis Fixcellency at Government." Honse, accompanied by the bon. Dr. Ho Kai, who, in view of his knowledge of the Chinese, would be able to assist in the deliberations. H.E. was attended by the Colonial -ecretary and the Captain Sup risten dout of Police. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Mackintosh, De. Ho Kai, and Mr. Dennys all explained to HE and the officers with him what had taken place, and, as reporters were present, a detailed statement of what passed on both sides will doubtless be published. The Committee consider that they will best consult their own diguity and self-respect, if they, pass over without comment some of the remarks which fell from the Captain Superintendent of Police as they were promptly withdrawn; but they cannot refrain from expressing surpriso sud regret at the evident determination of the fficers of the Government to prejudge and not even to calmly debate the whole question.
The subject of the registration of land- owners or tenants is one upon which there may very properly be a difference of opinion. but in view of the fact that we had the expressed conviction of the Chinese deputetion that by the registration of landlords ir stend of the head coolies the present strike would he at an end, the Committee consider that it was Cully justi fed in strongly recommending the measure. The Government had legislated practically that registration should take place by the tenant or by the landlord; therefore they had in effect conceded what the Chinese deputation required, for it was perfectly competent for a landlord to register iu default of the tenant appearing, and yet he would comply with the law, and the full benefits of the Health Ordinance and the enforcement of by-laws thereunder would be obtained.
The highly coloured pictare drawn by the Captain Soperintendent of Poline of the great disabilities that would be incurred, particularly by Europen landlords, can be dismisseri at evos for it is perfelly possible to obtain from th Chinese teoot securities that shall amply cover the pains and penalties that are provided by the
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4 MAY 3