Finally, I would remind you that the views I have endeavoured, however in competently, to set forth are unitedly shared and endorsed by the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, which, at a recent meeting specially convened to consider the whole matter, unanimously adopted the identical motion on which I am now addressing you. The compo- sition of this Committee is so well known to your Excellency and this Council that I am certain its carefully con i rod opinion will not fail to carry the weight it deserves with the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Hon. Mr. C. E. ANTON-Sir, I beg to second the motion. The proposer of the motion has gone so very largely over the ground that I think it is not neces- sary for me to go into details, which would only cause repetition. But I am in accord, fully in accord, with the motion's contention; the desirability of sxcluding Germans for a period of years from this Colony. It has been said, and rightly said, that we are not warring against the German people, and at the beginning of the war there was an ele ment of truth in that, Bir. But I think it can be said that from the beginning the entire German nation has been war- ring against us and our Allies. And if they had been successful in their world- wide designs I am sure that if they had accomplished their ends the rest of the world would have bad very little consideration and sympathy from our enemies. Now it is reported that some sections of the people in Germany, are blaming their rulers for the position they have got themselves into. But, after all, Sir. I think that the people are re- sponsible for the Governors, and I think, that being so, we must hold the people of Germany responsible for all their atrocitics and the violation of all laws, human and divine, which have been carried out. We cannot really, I think, exclude them from responsibility, Ад regards the commercial side, we have heard it argued that the Germans should be excluded from the Colony, and there is something to be said for that, though I think it will not carry very such weight. We must look, I think, to the sentimental side of the position which, to a large extent, governs such things throughout the world. And we must act, I think, on principles of humanity,
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righteousness
and justice. Another point I ought to make, and that is in connection with the men who have gone home to fight, many of them, alas! who have made the last sacrifice. We hope that a large number of them will returu, and what do we think these men would think, these men when they come back, if they find the Germans established here in the same old way? The thought to me would be intolerablo, as I think it would be to them.
Hon, Mr. H. E. POLLOCK-Sir, I submit that this resolution ought to be accepted by the Government, sup- ported, as it is, by the expert opinion of the business-men composing the Com mittee of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce. On such a matter as this the opinion of such a body is entitled to the greatest possible weight. It is sought by this motion to pass on that opinion to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Surely that is a very proper course for I would evCI this Council to adopt. go so far as to say that it is the positive duty of this Council to pass on this opinion of business-men to the Secretary of State, seeing that that official is the representative of the Crown Colonies upon the Imperial Committee which is sitting to consider post-war trade prob- lems. Surely this Colony, through its Council, must have the right to instruct its own representative. Surely, we are not going to be told that either the Con- stitution of this Colony or instructions from the Secretary of State forbid the passing of such a resolution as this. Then what other argument can be advanc- ed for not acceding to this motion Are we to be told that this motion cannot be accepted on the plea that it will em- barrass the Home Government? Such a plea would, I submit, be absolutely un- sound, for the reason that this resolution involves no conflict whatever between this Council and the Home Authorities. We are simply asking for leave to lay the views of this Colony, this important outpost of Empire in the Far East, before the Home Authorities. Are we to be refused such teare Sir, I have considered this resolution, and the possible grounds of Government objec tion to it, from every point of view, and I have been finally forced to one con- elusion, namely, that, if the Government refuses to vote for this motion, it can
1-
do so logically and constitutionally on At the outset I would like to say that if one single ground only, namely, on the I were to consult my own inclinations and ground that it does not agree with this
wishes 1 would ask for the Germans to Now, as resolution.
be excluded not only for ten years but I have already
for ever and a day, for I have large urged, the opinion of the Committee of
interests in companies recently and ex- the Chamber of Commerce ought to be conclusive with the Government upon the business formerly in the hands of pressly formed to secure a big share of the mercantile aspect of this question the Germans. But this resolution, Sir, Therefore, as a mere matter of cold busi- ness, there can be no doubt that this is based on higher motives and on public the motion ought to be accepted by the grounds, and it is precisely on
same grounds that I have reluctance in Governinent. But, Sir, this resolution taking up the position I am taking. has something more behind it than mere
After listening to what my hon. colleagues dollars and cents. We are fighting the opposite have said I am still not certain cause of civilization against barbarism, that if the suggested measure wera en- At a recent meeting at.the Aldwych Club, forced it would be in the best interesta Sir Edward Carson, the First Lord of of the Colony. It may be so and it may the Admiralty, said:-"We have to deal
certain not be, for no one can tell for with an enemy who has set at naught all what will happen in the next ten years the humanities which, as the result of OF 30. At any rate, we have to bear in centuries, have been embodied in our mind the surrounding countries. Unless International Law." That is the opinion these countries fall into line with us the of a very eminent lawyer, and, when we advantage aimed at by the resolution However successful consider the nature of some of those would be nullified. breaches of law, such as the indiscrimin- we might be in keeping the Germans out ste submarining of passenger and hos of this Colony it would be nothing with- Lital ships, and the wholesale sowing of
out the co-operation of these surrounding countries to prevent the Germans from the seas with floating mines, and wher we ao consider the brutal treatment ander no control whatever. Again, Bir, setting up competition close to our doors
meted out to our prisoners-of-war, by
It should be borne in mind that if the German women as well as by German
measure were to be adopted in Hongkong men, we must surely refuse a welcome it would have to be applied to every hack to our shores to people of German part of the Empire. In my opinion it nationality people who are not only is an Imperial question and one that brutal to the living but even desecrate might well be left in the hands of the the remains of the dead. Bir, my honour Imperial Government, which strengthened able friend has pointed out that the by representatives from the Dominions Dominions are at one with us in their and from India. can safely be trusted sentiments upon this subject, and I would to arrive at a conclusion in the highest add that Great Britain is equally at one interests of the Empire. It is there
and with us, for, at a recent meeting in fore, Sir, with due deference London, Sir Algernon Firth, the Pro- proper sense of responsibility that sident of the Association of Chambers! I would suggest that the resolution be over. In conclusion, of Commerce of the United Kingdom, allowed to stand said: Of this I am certain, that the Sir, I might say that I am in sympathy people of this country will never again with that part of the resolution which stand German intrigue and German suggests the placing of Germans under spying and German monopoly and dis- strict licence. honest trading, such as have been tolerat- ed for the last 20 or 30 years in this country. Let the Government back us up. and we will show that British pro- ducers are the best in the world."
Bir, that is what we are asking for now. We are asking the Government to back
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Hon. Mr. Lau Cau PAK-8ir, while sympathising with the object of the resolution, I am afraid I cannot support it in toto for reasons I am going to give,
Hon. Mr. Wai YU-I beg to support all that has been said by my colleague. I shall vote against the resolution.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I do not pro- pose, Sir, to address myself to the motion generally, but I would like to say a few words on two points. The hon. member who proposed the resolution supported it on two grounds. The first ground was one of sentiment. In sentiment I think we are all at one with him, and inclinations point in the same direction
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