No. 200
Hongkong.
June
Sir,
20169 C.O. 25396 106
Government House,
19 JUL 011
Hongkong, 16th June, 1904.
21144
I have the honour to transmit for your information the enclosed transcription of two telegrams addressed to you on the 6th and 15th instant respectively, in reply to your telegram of the 31st ultimo on the subject of Coolie Emigration to the Transvaal through this Colony.
2. I have to point out for your consideration that Hongkong is the deep sea port of Canton and that vessels engaged in the business in question would certainly be unable to carry it on from Canton and probably not even from Swatow.
3. The greater portion of the Province of Kwang Tung and adjoining territory would therefore be unable to furnish any emigrants under the terms of the Convention.
4. If necessary, I beg accordingly to strongly urge that an agreement may be entered into outside the terms of the Convention whereby recruiting for the Transvaal may be allowed in the Canton District with Hongkong as the Port of embarkation, and I may add that the Cantonese coolie is probably the best specimen of a desirable emigrant from China.
5. I am however of opinion that the matter can...
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ALFRED LYTTELTON, K.C., M.P.,
&c. &c.