Mr Wilch called today regarding our letter and asked if there was any objection to it being included in the interim report, which they are preparing for circulation among the members of the association.
I presume there is no objection. I hold him that we would let him know in a day or two. The report is not strictly speaking published or on sale but anything in it always finds its way into the Press soon.
I see no objection.
Aulhouse assented.
Very well.
Lapeer
HB
27/10
In Churchuck Meald zee.
29.10.
kun
The matter is not clear.
I have written to the Lord ...
CHINA ASSOCIATION,
556
159, CANNON STREET,
LONDON, E.C. 20th September, 1906
Rec'd CO 34940
REG 21 SEP 06,
The Hongkong Branch of this Association has called the attention of the General Committee to the disabilities imposed on British shipping by the (Hongkong) Chinese Emigration Ordinance No. I of 1889, and expresses a hope that the assent of His Majesty's Government may be obtained to certain alterations.
By that Ordinance British ships are allowed (Sec. 18) to carry "free Chinese emigrants under no contract of service" from any port in China "on a voyage of not more than thirty days duration", without restriction as to destination; (Sec. 14) to carry Chinese labourers etc., under contract, to a British possession.
The Hongkong Government, acting under this Ordinance, have refused to allow British ships to carry Chinese labourers under contract from Hongkong or any Chinese treaty Port to any country or possession other than British, or anywhere at all on a voyage of greater length than thirty days. Foreign ships come under this Ordinance at Hongkong, but not at Chinese Treaty ports.
For instance: the British steamship "Powhatan" was chartered in London to carry 500 coolies from Foochow to Santa Rosalia, Mexico. This emigration had the direct sanction of the Foochow Provincial Authorities: the contracts were approved by them, in accordance with British law, and the Mexican Authorities were in full accord with the emigration, but the charter fell through for the reason that under the Ordinance British vessels cannot carry contract labour to a foreign country, and the German steamer "Brna" secured the business.
The Ordinance was framed, doubtless, to meet conditions ...