Confidential.
591
JA
Coolie Emigration from Hong Kong and China ports.
Memorandum for the President of the Board of Trade.
The question raised in these papers is obviously one of the utmost importance to the shipping trade of the Empire.
It appears from the statements of the shipowners and from the Memorandum and Minute which the Secretary of State for the Colonies proposes to submit to the Cabinet, that the effect of Imperial and local legislation and of "long standing Instructions from the Secretary of State", is held to be that British vessels are excluded from employment in the carriage from Hong Kong and China ports of Chinese emigrants who have entered into contracts for service in Mexico and Panama.
As regards Hong Kong, it appears that Foreign and British vessels are alike excluded from taking coolie emigrants under contract to Foreign ports, but that Foreign vessels are allowed by their Governments to carry such emigrants from China ports to Foreign countries, whilst British vessels are not.
This is a serious position from the point of view of our carrying trade; and I think the proposals of the Government of Hong Kong to improve it deserve attentive consideration.
With regard to the law on the subject, I propose to say very little. No doubt the legal advisers of the Colonial Office have been consulted, but, as the shipowners have raised the question of powers, I may perhaps point