575
Periphe
in cases where it appeared that the emigration was not properly conducted, or that the emigrants were not properly treated after arrival. At this time there appears to have been no emigration from Hong Kong except to neighbouring countries or to the United States of America and in these cases it was not thought necessary to interfere.
Though not expressly mentioned, it seems to have been always understood that the rules laid down with regard to Hong Kong applied equally to emigration in British vessels from Chinese ports and the Hong Kong laws have dealt with this traffic accordingly.
The Hong Kong laws have been modified at various times since 1870 but the main principle of requiring a license has been adhered to throughout except in one respect. The 1870 Ordinance gave the Governor power to exempt "any mail steamers or other vessels" from the necessity