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back to his home at once: if he proceeded on his voyage he
would know where he was going to, what work he was to do, who
(
his companions would be and the remuneration he would receive.
It will be some years before the Kangani
5.
system can be introduced and effectively in operation and until
it is, the Sinkheh system or one more or less similar to it
must remain in force in view of the pressure of the increased
demand for labour. But both in the interests of the coolie and
to ensure the complaissance of the Chinese Government, always
nervous about emigration, the system will require very careful
supervision, and probably considerable alteration. There is no
port on the coast of China which can be compared with Hongkong
in the pains taken to protect the labourer from imposition and
fraud, and no port which contains such a skilled emigration
staff, or one so closely in touch with the general Chinese
population. There are now in the service of the Colony a number
of Officers who are familiar with all the fraudulent devices of
recruiters, are alert to detect them, and are so accustomed to
the work of examination and the aspect of the emigrants that
they have attained great accuracy in recognising, without even
putting questions, the origin and occupation of the intending
emigrant. I am pleased to be able to say that the Hongkong
Emigration