r
13
applicable to cases where there is no "indenture', which,
presumably, moana a written contract embodying the
conditions under which the emigrants are transported to
and from their destination and under which they serve
while they are thers.
4. It does not appear to be disputed that in this
particular case there are no contracts at all and if this
is the case, it is not necessary, in my opinion, to purBUS
the point raised in 1928 (see His ajesty's Consul General
at Canton's despatch No.39 of June 11th, 1925, a copy of
which was enclosed in fr. alairac's despatch No.441 of
June 27th 1925) as to whether po
le advanoes
amounted to a form of indentured labour
5. If this is so, the question resolves itself into
whether tMars is any substanes In the Chiasse doyurament
allegations as to the hardships suffered by prospective
amigrants. On this point I transmit to you herewith, for
your information, a copy of a letter, with anclosures,
which I have reavivad from the Colonial fries.
fries, You will
observe that the Jovernor of Hongkong is being asked whether
he considers that the powers of his
verament in this
rerard could usefully be strengthened in any way.
I shall be glad if you will communicate the substance
of this despatch to His Majesty's Consul Generel at Canton,
for his information, instructing him not to reply, in the
meantime to the letter of April 18th from the Mayor of
Canton, ending the rossipt by the Colonial offies of
vernor of hongkong, to
whom
fur ther
rvations from the