}
226
have omitted to look carefully for a cure for its abuses, which have the effect of bringing everyone who shares in the system and follows the custom into disrepute abroad.
These institutions are good evidence that
the Chinese are not indifferent in this matter: and
the trouble and money they expend is evidence also that there is no simpler solution to be found than the
detailed detection of abuses. They have realised
that native sympathy and assistance are essential, and the best of them have assisted loyally.
Registration, either in the general or the more limited form, does not meet with their approval as a practical measure, and they are intensely practical
-
men and will even perhaps be resented for reasons
already detailed: and any attempt to impose it would
risk the loss of the present sympathy and co-operation
without which the efforts of the Government would
amount to very little indeed. Even now there seems
a dangerous tendency to resent the manner in which
their work has been ignored in all the publicity that
has been given to the "Slavery" question: and to feel
that the position given them is not proper recognition
for arduous work done by busy men for no remuneration. It might be added that the implied reflections on their capacity are no less unjustified: the members of the Committees are draw from the most prominent Chinese
business men of the Colony, who have set a high
standard for broadmindedness and ability.
If any
better practical scheme than their own can be devised,
they