C 4
The registration and photographing of assisted emigrants have been proved a practical success in one respect. When a charge of kidnapping was laid against a recruiter in China, no difficulty was found in tracing the four men alleged to have been kidnapped, and having them questioned by Government officers. With more experience it is probable that fewer cases of fraud escape the examining staff, and it must be therefore the knowledge of the precautions taken in Hongkong that encourages the making of so many enquiries for missing relatives. In 1909, 15 applications were made for assistance in getting back relatives who had emigrated; in 1910, 52 applications were made. Of the emigrants, 49 had gone to Singapore, 2 to British North Borneo and 1 to Muntok. Forty-six returned, 2 had died, 2 refused to return, and the remaining 2 are expected shortly. In many other cases, relatives were satisfied with identifying the coolie's photograph and learning where he had gone to; sometimes we forwarded letters for them. The cost of obtaining cancellation of the contract and repatriation of the coolie has been very much reduced, thanks to the co-operation of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs at Singapore and of employers of labour. In no case did any of those repatriated complain of fraud; they were mostly shop-boys or apprentices; in one case it was a son who went to the expense of obtaining the return of his father.
There were 2 cases of assisted emigrants jumping overboard whilst the steamer was leaving the harbour. In the first case the man slipped away whilst he was about to be brought to this Office. The second man, at the instance of a crimp, had gone to a boarding house with the intention of receiving an advance and then jumping overboard; he got seven dollars, gave the crimp four and jumped overboard as the steamer was off Green Island: he had made no arrangement to be picked up. Mr. Lau Chü-pak and I questioned him and we were agreed that he was a fool who wanted to be a "kuave."
In November two men injured themselves, one fatally, in absconding from an emigration boarding-house. The crimp who took them there was charged with inducing them to emigrate by fraud and with detaining them against their will, but the charge was dismissed.
One of the British North Borneo coolies was arrested for leaving the ship after he had received the advance which all coolies receive on embarkation, but it was found that no charge could be brought against him.
Representations were made to the Government of Burmah regarding the recruitment of Chinese labourers by the Rangoon Mining Company. Several batches of men went as free passengers, though it is most probable that they were assisted emigrants.
To the three classes of emigrants now recognised—free passengers, contract emigrants and assisted emigrants, a fourth must be added, which is really a sub-division of the first class—"Kangany" emigrants. Under this system of emigration the coolie is recruited by some returned coolie—a native of his village or neighbourhood,
C 4
The registration and photographing of assisted emigrants have been proved a practical success in one respect. When a charge of kidnapping was laid against a recruiter in China, no difficulty was found in tracing the four men alleged to have been kidnapped, and having them questioned by Government officers. With more exper- ience it is probable that fewer cases of fraud escape the examining staff, and it must be therefore the knowledge of the precautions taken in Hongkong that encourages the making of so many enquiries for missing relatives. In 1909, 15 applications were made for assist- ance in getting back relatives who had emigrated; in 1910, 52 applications were made. Of the emigrants, 49 had gone to Singapore, 2 to British North Borneo and 1 to Muntok. Forty-six returned, 2 had died, 2 refused to return, and the remaining 2 are expected shortly. In many other cases, relatives were satisfied with identify- ing the coolie's photograph and learning where he had gone to; sometimes we forwarded letters for them. The cost of obtaining cancellation of the contract and repatriation of the coolie has been very much reduced, thanks to the co-operation of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs at Singapore and of employers of labour. In no case did any of those repatriated complain of fraud; they were mostly shop-boys or apprentices; in one case it was a son who went to the expense of obtaining the return of his father.
There were 2 cases of assisted emigrants jumping over board whilst the steamer was leaving the harbour. In the first case the man slipped away whilst he was about to be brought to this Office. The second man, at the instance of a crimp, had gone to a boarding house with the intention of receiving an advance and then jumping overboard; he got seven dollars, gave the crimp four and jumped over- board as the steamer was off Green Island: he had made no arrange- ment to be picked up. Mr. Lau Chü-pak and I questioned him and we were agreed that he was a fool who wanted to be a kuave.
1
In November two men injured themselves. ne fatally, in absconding from an emigration boarding-house The crimp who took them there was charged with inducing them to emigrate by fraud and with detaining them against their will, but the charge was dismissed.
One of the British North Borneo coolies was arrested for leaving the ship after he had received the advance which all coolies receive on embarkation, but it was found that no charge could be brought against him.
Representations were made to the Government of Burmah re- garding the recruitment of Chinese labourers by the Rangoon Mining Company. Several batches of men went as free passengers, though it is most probable that they were assisted emigrants.
To the three classes of emigrants now recognised-free pas- sengers, contract emigrants and assisted emigrants, a fourth must be added, which is really a sub-division of the first class--" Kangany" emigrants. Under this system of emigration the coolie is recruited by some returned coolie-a native of his village or neighbourhood,
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