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: return, and advising his compatriots not to go to Samoa.
This led to enquiries from the British Vice-Consul there — Mr. Trood — who practically confirmed the fact of ill-treatment.
The supply of coolies had been obtained hitherto from Swatow, but in consequence of complaints the Chinese there had now prohibited the emigration.
It was in consequence of this prohibition that Dr. Schultz had come to negotiate a Treaty, and to reassure the Chinese Authorities, and Dr. Voretzsch informed me that the charges had been effectively disposed of.
7. Numerous subsequent interviews took place, at which I stated that I was unable to authorize the shipment both on legal and political grounds.
In regard to the former, I considered that the proposed clause as to repatriation offered was no safeguard for the coolie and was therefore contrary to the spirit and intention of the Ordinance.
The cost of his passages both ways would be charged against him, and the Consul admitted that it would take him about 2 years of labour to accumulate a sufficient sum.
Consequently, he would be compulsorily detained for that period, and at the end of it, he could not return even if willing to sacrifice all his earnings, since the only ships are those coming via Australia.
The Consul