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with people of their own blood who have not the same advantages
I may perhaps be allowed to quote a sentence out of a letter
from a colleague at one of the ports where recognised Chinese
British Subjects are numerous. He writes "This office is
little better than a debt-collecting agency for Singapore
Chinese.
"
Under the above circumstances, and in view of
the widespreading effect that would result from the recognition
in China as British Subjects of all Chinese who have been
born in our Colonies, I trust that the question will not be
dealt with without due consideration.
I enclose a cutting from a leading article
from the "Daily Press" of July 14. It principally deals with
the question of a distinctive dress, and the remarks of Mr. W.
A. Pickering C.M.G. lately Protector of Chinese at Singapore
and a very old resident in China, are well worthy of attention.
The article leads me to suppose that Lord Charles Beresford
was wrongly informed on the question of a distinctive dress,
which I repeat has never been actually insisted on though it
has been several times discussed.
I have etc,
(Sd.) R.W. Mansfield.