1841-1886
STATE OF HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
251
113
Mr. Dent (voting however alone) opposed the first reading of the ordinance (of which I have the honour to enclose a copy). Before the second reading my shattered health compelled me to leave for the Philippine Islands, and I found on my return that no progress had been made other than the insertion of the ordinance thrice in the Government Gazette.
The second reading was appointed for the 4th February last. Before going into Council I had some conversation with the Acting Attorney General, who then informed me he was satisfied the ordinance would pass, as he had the assurance of one of the non-official members that it would have his support, and I certainly never doubted that there would be a majority in its favour. The Judge was absent on judicial duty, the Lieutenant Governor from indisposition. Mr. Dent moved the adjournment of the question sine die; he was seconded by Mr. Jardine (both these gentlemen have large interests in the question) and supported by Mr. Lyall; these are the three non-official members. The Colonial Secretary voted with Mr. Dent. He stated that he approved of the Praya, but was averse to legislation on the subject, and did not see his way through the financial question. In this no doubt he exercised an independent judgment of which I do not complain, especially as Mr. Mercer was absent when the ordinance was prepared; but the Surveyor General, one of the authors of the ordinance, voted against it, saying he had changed his mind. The chief magistrate also voted against the Government, and the second reading was rejected by 6 to 8. The term of my office approaching, my health much shaken, I have not thought it becoming to exercise the power with which I am invested, and to pass the ordinance, or to use the authority of the Crown under the leases, and carry on the works in spite of opposition; but shall leave to my successor the carrying forward of an undertaking, whose benefits to the colony it is not easy to exaggerate, and for whose progress and completion the surplus revenue, which I am happy to say is still augmenting, will afford ample means.
22. As regards the proceedings of the Legislative Council on the three points adverted to by the Colonial Secretary, viz., the Opium Ordinance, the Markets' Ordinance, and the Chinese Immigrants' Ordinance, I have to observe:—
23. That though the opium monopoly was not so productive as was anticipated in the year 1858, the defalcation is principally attributable to the flight from the colony of so large a number of Chinese, estimated at not less than twenty-five thousand, and this exodus is specially worthy of attention, as showing the immense influence exercised by the mandarins of the continent upon the Chinese population, nor will that influence be broken until the Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong can dissociate themselves from the power of clanship, and secure their families and relatives who reside in China from the persecution of the authorities. The Chinese contractor was among those who fled, and though his security was compelled to pay the amount for which he had given bond, it was necessary to make concessions to the new contractor at a final loss to the revenue of about 950l. This source of income is likely to increase with the increase of the number of the Chinese in the colony. While this Despatch was being written tenders for the Opium Farm have been received, and the highest for the current year is £6,812. 10s., nearly equal to the highest in 1858.
24. As regards the Markets' Ordinance I cannot attribute to its provisions the high price of the necessaries of life. There is abundant field for competition among the owners of shops and stalls, but the powers and the habits of confederation among the Chinese are too strong to be dealt with by legislation. European residents have inherited from the East India Company some of the mischiefs of their monopoly. Their agents were somewhat reckless in expenditure provided for at the public cost. Table allowances were made on the most liberal scale, and enormous prices were paid for all the articles of consumption. A system grew up which has never been wholly superseded. Our compradors (or managers of the household) invariably pocket large profits on domestic expenditure. They come to an understanding with the market people, who also thoroughly understand one another, advancing prices wherever they are able, and resisting their reduction with too successful pertinacity. We are in the hands of our Chinese servants, and few persons (not being Chinese) are to be found in the colony capable of making a bargain with the sellers of commodities. The Market Ordinance, so far as it has operated, certainly diminished the evils of monopoly, and transferred to the Government in the shape of augmented rental a portion at least of the profit which was before in the hands of two or three privileged persons. Some modifications, the result of experience, will, I think, be desirable; but in my judgment, they ought not to affect the more substantial provisions of the Markets' Ordinance.
25. The question of emigration grows in importance as the demand for labour increases in the colonies. Hong Kong continues to be the port whence emigrants who can pay
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