territories. It appears clear also that
indentured labour, strictly so called, is
not allowed to be recruited in Hong Kong,
the system of assisted emigration is not
17
although
in practice distinguishable from indentured
The only difference is the place
emigration.
where the man signs the contract as in
practice no assisted emigrant ever refuses
to sign the contract on reaching his destina-
tion.
We may therefore include indentured
and assisted emigration under the one title
of 'contract
emigrar an
This system of
emigration can only be stopped either in
China itself, which in present conditions is
impossible, or in countries to which the
labourers go.
If Hong Kong, for instance,
tried to stop it it would simply mean that
recruiters would go elsewhere, or would be
driven underground as described in para. 3
J.A.Ç.
of the Goveer's despatch. Practically,
therefore, the only effective means of
preventing this kind of emigration is for
the receiving countries to take steps locally.
Malaya has already done this; indentured
labour is not recognised and immigrants who
receive assisted passages are specially
protected. In particular, the amount of the
advance which can berecovered from them is
limited any promise made by an emigrant
to enter into a contract of labour on arrival
is invalid. (See page 29 of draft I.L.O.
Report on 29226/27.) This system seems to
has work satisfactorily and Malaya would have no
difficulty