:
33
to the Chinese Community have produced a good effect. But there are still many recalcitrants. My remonstrances to the Canton Government have availed little.
4.
So long as prominent members of the Chinese Community are members of the most aggressive political faction in China the Kwo Min T'ang - which at this moment is in almost open revolt against the Provisional Government at Peking, I fear the task of this Goverment in suppressing political intrigue will be an impossible one. In these circumstances the only remedy which is likely to be really effectual is to control what cannot be eradicated. In this view the Registrar-General, who originated the idea of a Central Society, and certain leading Chinese concur.
5.
The conditions under which a Central or Principal Society might be formed and which I have permitted the Registrar-Omeral to discuss with leading Chinese are as follows:-
The members of the Principal Society, which
(a).
would really be an Executive Committee of all the District and other Societies brought under its control, to be approved by the
Governor.
(b).
New Subordinate Societies to be registered
Books, accounts etc., of subordinate Societies
only on the recommendation of the Principal Society.
(0).
to be open to inspection by Registrar-General at all times and to be
submitted periodically to the Executive Committee of the Principal
Society.
(d).
The Executive Committee to be under the Chair-
-manship of the Registrar-General.
(0).
The regulations of the Principal Society to be framed with a view to making the Society a useful Chinese Chamber
of Commeres.
(I).
No political mattare to be dealt with by the Principal or Subordinate Societies except through the Executive Committee of the Principal Society and the Government.
(g).
Such political matters to be confined to questions affecting trade and commerce such as the Hongkong