NOTES OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE
RECRUITMENT OF CHINESE LABOUR
IN HONG-KONG.
10
55
Held in the Colonial Office on the 22nd March, 1923.
PRESENT:
Mr.V.D.Ellis, C.M.G.
Mr.H.R.Cowell,
Mr.E.B.Boyd
Mr.S.Caine
Mr.H.N.Tait
Mr.G.A. Mounsey, C., G.
Colonial Office.
Dominions Office.
Foreign Office.
Mr.W.T.Southorn, C.M. G.
Colonial Secretary,
Hong Kong.
Mr.Ellis explained the necessity for the
Conference which had arisen in the first place out
appi ation.
of an explanation to recruit Chinese labour for
Sarawak, which had led to the formulation of certain
proposals for future practice by the Governor of
Hong Kong. He explained that it had appeared
difficult to approve these proposals in view of
the recent Cabinet decision regarding the proposal
to introduce Chinese labourers into the New Hebrides,
to the effect that:
"From a political point of view it was
impossible to acquiesce in the introduction
of Chinese labourers into the New Hebrides".
Mr.Cowell said that, without knowing exactly
the reasons for the Cabinet decision, he understood
that it was mainly based on an objection to the
introduction of Chinese labour as a fresh thing
into territory where Chinese labour did not already
exist, and where it would complicate already existing
racial