а
她
12
437
propaganda stirring up national feeling and engendering fear, replacement was impossible on a very large scale, at least at ne commencement. Nevertheless, Dr. Tso, with his volunteer helpers, passed hundreds into employment in the teeth of opposi- tion and danger. Dr. Tso's work compelled the admiration of all; his untiring energy was acompanied by a calm courage at a time when an example of courage was most needed. This control must always be a post of difficulty and even danger when. feeling runs high, for its occupant is conspicuous as a "strike- breaker," and must expect to incur the hate of those whose object it is to paralyse the community.
Cable Censorship.
22. The Cable Censorship is in charge of the Hon. Mr. D. W. Tratman, assisted by Mr. S. M. Churn, and many able Chinese volunteer workers who, I understand, have done splendid work. Their duties are burdensome, and entail a great sacrifice of time. Then men work daily, but change hours once in a few days so as to distribute the night work fairly. It is a matter of some grati- fication to me that my selection of the senior men for this work has proved so fortunate.
Postal Censorship.
23. The Postal Censorship has been and is being conducted by Mr. M. J. Breen, Postmaster-General, assisted by about fifty Chinese merchants, including several Justices of the Peace. It is the only one of our organisation in which some are working conspicuously well, and others very indifferently. More than once it has been proposed to abandon the censorship on account of the delay it causes in delivery of mails, but it has always been. concluded that the censorship should be retained as a deterrent to intimidation by post, though letters should be passed more freely.
Newspaper Censorship.
24. During the early part of the strike some of the Chinese newspapers (after they had resumed issue) published from time to time news and comments which were considered by the Govern- ment to be detriment to the interests of the Colony. In con- sequence a Censorship was instituted under the Secretary for Chinese Affairs who has been very ably assisted by Mr. Lau Tsz-ping, Mr. Li Yik-mui, Mr. Lo Chung-kue and Mr. Wong Tak-kwong. This work entails late hours and severe labour, but has nevertheless been done most cheerfully and efficiently. The duty of censoring the Kung Sheung Yat Po" devolves on Mr. H. K. Hung, to whose valuable services reference will be found in para. 59.
25. Until the Government invoked their aid and co-operation, English newspapers here had been rather a hindrance to us. They frequently published information calculated to disturb the minds of the public, for some of their comments and news, while harm- less to English readers, had unfortunate tendencies when trans- lated into Chinese in the local newspapers. I cannot say that they do not now err in this respect occasionally.