CO129-134 - Public Offices - 1868 — Page 685

of Smigration of Chinese

from

under Intrad

which it would appear that

he was not aware

that

my

own

operations afford a solitary exception.

Cities

It is true that the Emigrants engaged by myself have mostly been drawn from the neighbourhood of populous places or from the great Water highways of the Province - such operations do not reach those emaciated and starving people whom it is theoretically the province of the Brokers to provide passages for, and guide to a maritime post. Hence to sustain Wiese, Mr. Fernandes observes (para. 30 & 31) brokers are a necessary evil. This is the case I believe under existing circumstances, but if the Chinese authorities were not fettered by the existence of abuses which they cannot conquer, it is probable they would lend their active support and assistance to the Emigration of such people - but under existing circumstances, I do not see how they can be reached except by brokers.

In favour of Brokers being a necessary evil, Mr. Fernandes points out (para. 32) two possible remedies - the first is to prohibit Emigration altogether but para. 33 maintains the injustice of their infringement of a natural right. The second is the establishment of a Depot under the sole control of Government, (34) accompanied by rigorous repressive enactments and prosecutions without mercy (35) both in Macao and inland - in other...

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