No.999
(W 12340/9736/52)
12
FOREIGN OFFICE, .*.1.
104,
10th December, 1931.
sir,
I have had under considoration your despatch No.1098
of July 27th to my prodecessor in which you raise the question of the recruiting in China of indentured, free qua assisted Chinese emigrants for work in ritish possessions, with particular raforende to the complaint made by the Chinese authorities against Massrs.lib, Livingston aud Corgany of hongicong
In making their complaint against the fi'm in question the Chinese authorities havs, I observe, invoked the
migration Conventica of 194, which, in my opinion, is inapplicable in this lastaned for the following rosson.
If it had been the intention of the partier to the Convention that it should govern ali recruiting in china of Chinese labourers for Corvio in British possessions, it would be difficult to defend ita rusion by the adoption of mayatownder whloh ho Labour Lion in china
and sent to Hongkong to he recruited and shipped there. I oona lier that the convention must be used an oonfined to "indentured emigrants", not only because that expression is used in Article 1 of the Convention but also because the Convention contains somewhat detailed provisions (articles 2,4,7 and 8) as to the provisions which the indenture is to contain, and the steps to be taken to ensure that the
migrants are really sequainted with the nature of the contrect into which they are entering. I do not think, therefore, that it is possible to reward the Convention as
Sir Miles Lampson, A.C.1.0.,C.B.,
oking.
applicable