Enclosure 4
Extract from the Hansard Report.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai- Sir, the Bill the second reading of which has been just moved, is by no means decidedly in favour of the nature of class legislation, and especially against the Chinese, and, as such, it should be my duty to oppose it in as strong a manner as possible; but, at the same time, Sir, I have had the reasons carefully explained to me for the necessity of such a Bill. I have considered these reasons very carefully and I must say, personally, I am quite convinced of the reasonableness and expediency of such a measure. The reason put forward was the limited space for the accommodation of Europeans at the Peak, and that it was necessary for the health of Europeans to live at a height of some hundreds of feet from the level of the sea, not only for their own health, but that of their wives and families, especially the children. Having considered that carefully, I for myself certainly think a concession from the Chinese would not only be gracious but justifiable, and I, as a member of the Chinese community, and I believe my colleague also, agreed to offer no opposition to this Bill, but will be glad to consent to a measure by which we know the health and happiness of a large section of the European community will be promoted - the section upon which the prosperity and well-being of this Colony so much depends, and by yielding them the principle of this Bill we are really promoting not only their welfare, but the welfare of the whole of this Colony. So far then, we do not propose to offer any opposition to this Bill, but as I am here representing the Chinese, the Chinese community, of course, have something to say to this Bill. In order to ascertain their views - those of the leading members only - manifestly it is impossible for us or for the Government even to ascertain the views of the Chinese in general, nor do I think it is imperative or necessary to do so - a series of meetings of the leading Chinese was held to consider the Bill, and to sum up, shortly, the result of it I wish to state that the majority have, after three meetings, instructed us, or let us know by resolution, that they would not oppose this Bill because they had had the reasons explained to them and they thought, I suppose, the reasons were sufficient, but at the same time unanimously they have requested the Government to be so good as to alter somewhat the phraseology of the Bill. In Committee, I hope I will be able to lay before the Council some suggestions as to the alteration of the Bill which, if found by the Council not objectionable and quite as effective in carrying out the principle of the Bill, I hope every member of this Council will consent to, unless he can point out a good reason for coming to any other conclusion, for the sake of unanimity and for the satisfaction of those Chinese who have so far granted this concession. There was a minority in these meetings who were quite uncompromising, who are dead against the principle of this Bill, and on no account would support a Bill of this kind; but, as the majority have expressed their willingness to fall in with the principle of the Bill, should certain terms of the Bill be altered, I think my colleague and myself will be justified in offering no opposition to this Bill. In Committee, I hope a fair hearing shall be accorded me, and if what I propose as an amendment meets with the approval of the Council, I hope that a change in the phraseology will be conceded. With these few remarks, I do not offer any opposition.
Hon. WEI Yuk- Sir, I beg to say I quite agree with what my senior colleague has been saying, and I beg to support what he has said already in his speech.
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