Consul and lay his complaint before him.
540
The labourers enter into a contract for three years. No work will be done on Sundays. The working day is to be of nine hours. The daily wage will be at least fifty cents, but anyone choosing to specially exert himself may earn as much as one dollar or more. Food, lodging, and travelling expenses will be paid by the employers and will not be deducted from the man's wages.
4.
The food provided for the labourers will consist of 27 ounces each (liang) of rice, 3 of fish or meat, 8 of vegetables, and half an ounce of tea and oil.
5.
The labourers must be over twenty years of age, of good physique and without disease of any kind.
6.
A labourer is entitled to be accompanied by his wife and children under ten years of age at the expense of his employer, but they must be fed after their arrival at the labourer's expense.
7.
Labourers are at liberty to correspond with their relatives in China and to send money home.
8.
In the event of any labourer falling ill, his medical expenses will be paid by his employer.
9.
Any labourer desiring to renew his contract at the end of his three years may do so for another three years. If he does not wish to renew it, his employer must then pay his return expenses to China.
10.
Emigrants from Kwangsi will pay their own travelling expenses from their homes to Muchow. After their arrival there, if found satisfactory and acceptable, they will depart at their employer's expense. If an emigrant wishes to have any money advanced to him to send home, this will be done at Hongkong after he signs his contract of service.
11.
When the labourer arrives at Muchow, he should proceed at once to the depot there and state his name, age, and the place he comes from, which will be entered into the register by the deputy. He will then be given a numbered ticket to wear, and his food will be provided for him. He will subsequently be medically examined, and, when a sufficient number have been collected, he will be shipped with the rest to Hongkong.
12.
From the day they leave their homes, no proceedings on account of any past offences will be taken against any labourers who desire to...