477
in which you invited my observations by telegraph on the
clauses of a draft Treaty which is being drawn up between His
Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government to regulate
the emigration of Chinese indentured labour into a British
Colony or Protectorate. In reply I sent you the two telegrams
of which I now enclose copies.
28th 29th
March 1904.
11778
4.
I regard the proposal to conduct the
emigration from Chinese Ports as objectionable, first, on the
ground of the great expense that will be entailed by the pay-
ment of the exorbitant fee of Four Dollars per coolie to the
Chinese Government (the fee here for medically inspecting and
passing an emigrant is but 25 cents) and in providing Depots
at several different places; and, secondly, because everything
in connection with such emigration will be less honestly and
less thoroughly done under Chinese control than it would be
under British control in a British Colony. It must be remembered
that if abuses creep in it is the British employers in the
Transvaal and the British Authorities that will suffer in
pocket and reputation respectively.
5.
Apart from those considerations it is to
our pecuniary interest that the emigration should be conducted
from British Colonies. Such emigration would materially assist
our revenue and would be of enormous value both directly and
indirectly to Weihaiwei.
I suggested in my second telegram a fee of
One Dollar per coolie to the Chinese Government. Such fee
should more than recoup them in any outlay entailed in assisting
and watching the emigration on their side. I assume that the
Four