ZURA
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The request of the German Consul was that a
certain number of Assisted Emigrants already assembled
in Hongkong should after full enquiry by the Registrar-
C
General as to their willingness to go, and as to their
knowledge of the conditions awaiting them, be allowed
to embark for Samoa, which is a port distant 4890 miles
and claimed by him to be within the 30 days' limit.
Although I was informed that there was no legal obstacle
since the Emigration Amendment Ordinance of 1908 made
no distinction between British possessions and foreign
countries in regard to "Assisted Emigrants", I demanded
the guarantees which I explained at length in my despatch
q of July the 14th. These were fully accorded by the Consul
Gov/28373/09
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in the name of the Samoan Government and there remained
no legal reason why I should refuse permission. The
German Consul's argument in effect was this:- "We have
"fully complied with the law regarding Assisted Emigrants;
"to satisfy your demands we have gone further and given
"you the most ample assurances regarding repatriation
"etc. (which are not laid down in the law) in the name
"of the Imperial Government; relying on the clear state-
"ments contained in local Ordinances we have gone to
"expense in collecting the emigrants; we now demand the
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