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the licensing system. Sir Richard admits that gam
ling will be increased under the proposed system. Therefore the crimes committed by impoverished gamblers will increase also. There is a natural and necessary connection between the two.
about licensing gambling, nor would it suggest the of crime wherein nine-tenths of the burglaries and idea that such a scheme was contemplated. He says daring crimes are planned. that this intention was published on the 17th JUndoubtedly there is a certain amount of illegal of this year. Thus our charge is established: for gambling always going on. That gumbling is a fruit- before that dato the Governor had by private corful source of crime is one of our arguments against respondence, obtained the desired ratification from the Home Government. The history of this measure extracted from the colonial newspapers, is given at length and without reservation at the commencement of this pamphlet. Immediately upon this measure being made public this year, a protest was made against it. Such protest would assuredly have been made last year had the government scheme been known to the public then. That not a word of ophe in gambling houses, they will find secret haunts position was breathed from any quarter is conclusive elsewhere. Sir Richard will but "change the place proof that the project was kept seret.
and keep the pain."
There is not, however, any natural and necessary connection between gambling houses and the lairs of criminals. If the criminal class can no longer assein-
If corroboration were needed, section 9 of the Any one unacquainted with the state of Hongkong Governor's reply furnishes a convincing proof. There might be led by Sir Richard's romarks, to suppose Sir Richard states "at least all the non-official mom that the Colony was driven by dire necessity to un- bers of the council, so far back as the passing of the usual measures of self defence against robbers and Ordinance last year were well acquainted with and burglars. But the public here generally admits that entirely approved of the alternative given to the Exongkong was never so free from these crimes as ecutive." From this it appears that the Governor within the last few months. This is owing doubtless cannot venture to assert that all the members of the energetic administration of the present Gov. Council knew of this scheme last year. All the nouernor, to the wise regulations he has introduced for official members knew it. But surely had it been the Registration of the Chinese, and to the sovere made public in the Legislative Council, all the official but salutary treatment of convicted criminals. Bur- members, and the reporters of the press, must have glary, garrotting and other crimes have been commit- had equal opportunity of knowledge with Messrsted even in London. They are certainly not so much Whittall, Dent and Gibb.
ore frequent in Hongkong as to justify such an extraordinary preventive measure as the licensing of public gambling houses.
(6) His Excellency's arguments in favour of licens ing are three:--
-There are gangs of illegal gamblers who resor to secret lairs which are the schools and nurserie
II-His Excellency's second argument is that the gambling house keepers will prove valuable assistants
o the police in putting down illegal gambling.
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