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CONFIDENTIA L.
Dupl
C.O
21329
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¡Qor
23 JUN B
closure L
Sir,
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG. 29th. May, 1913.
Eu 19692
With reference to my Despatch No. 148 of the
lst. instant and to previous correspondence, a printed copy of
which is enclosed for convenience of reference, ending with Lord
Crewe's Despatch Confidential of the 2nd. of July, 1908, on the subject of the restrictions placed upon the conveyance of contract emigrants by British Ships to ports outside the British dominions,
I have the honour to suggest that in the interest of British Ship- -ping Trade and to remove difficulties entailed, as described below, by the existing system, the question be now re-considered.
It seems unnecessary for me to enlarge again
20856
2.
upon the loss to British Shipping inflicted by the present restrictions. I will rather advert briefly to the consequences of
the policy that is being followed.
3.
A very large emigration of Chinese coolies takes place annually from Swatow to Deli in Sumatra, and a con- -siderable emigration at irregular intervals from the some port in China to Sanga. The emigration to Deli is extremely well organised by planters in the Netherlands India and two Dutch steamers are regularly employed for the purpose. The emigration to Samoa is now and has for some years been on entirely satisfactory basis. I enclose copies of 2 letters which I have received from His Majesty's Consul at Swatow on the subject. There are no complaints of the
noloaure 2.
Nos. 142.
treatment
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,
&c.
&C..
BC.