He chose to recommend it. Of course, he would never submit lists without most careful enquiry, and I cannot remember any case in which injustice was even alleged to have occurred. The lists were considered by the Government in Council, and banishment orders invariably followed. Even for some time after Sir Henry's arrival, he may have banished a good number of men. They were mostly absent Triad Society rascals who infested the New Territory when the system was in place.
Requiring the support and concurrence of the Registrar General (the Protector of Chinese) did not complicate the procedure very much in Innes's time. It was his practice to make independent enquiry by means of the District Officers, and if their reports confirmed those of the police detectives, he invariably supported the recommendation for banishment without (I am nearly certain) requiring the examination of the persons reported on.
But with the appointment of Mr. Brewin as Protector of Chinese, a cause of deadlock arose. He would not concur in recommending banishment for anyone until he had seen and questioned the person personally. This, as may be imagined, has complicated matters frightfully. Such interviews, as may happen under the most favourable circumstances, are hardly possible and advance the case of the police can rarely be sure of furthering.
When wanted by the detectives for any length of time, used to be illegal, but granted that an interview is arranged, that the Protector of Chinese agrees to banish, what happens? The needle has been returned to the haystack, while a considerable time has elapsed. Banishment is forwarded to Government. It involves a meeting of the Executive Council.
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