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Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow have confirmed the favourable opinion I had formed of their power and energy. A few thousands of such people contentedly settled in the Island would no doubt greatly assist in the development of its resources.
81. It must not, however, be left out of view that Emigrants leaving China under contracts, are not drawn from the better or even middle classes, but from the very lowest and most needy of the laboring population; those only leave their country, under contracts to labor, who are driven from their homes by sheer want, neither they nor their relatives having the means to enable them to join the stream of free Emigration to the countries well-known to them from the reports of the thousands who are constantly returning with accumulated wealth or competencies. Countries within comparatively short distances from home, promise large gains and a speedy return to their own land, to enjoy the fruits of their industry amongst their families and friends, for such is their hope and expectation held out by an Emigration to California, Australia, or the Straits Settlements.
82. In emigrating to the West Indies, these inducements, with the exception of prospective gains, are wanting, and the accounts of the advantages to be attained, they must take upon trust from strangers, who they may no doubt think interested, for few if any of their countymen have returned to testify of it. No doubt, a Chinaman on leaving his country attaches great importance to the possibility or means of an ultimate return to it.
83. Physically, Chinamen are far superior to Hindoos, and with more natural industry, though they are less submissive and docile, and in large numbers would require a much stronger rule. In the Colony of Hong Kong, a European stranger walking in the day-time in unfrequented spots does so at the risk of being robbed, and a wholesome application of the cat-o'-nine tails in Police cases is found necessary for the peace of the inhabitants. A large Police force is maintained, and on patrol the men are always well-armed. In all the cities and towns of China, there is a strong sprinkling of the turbulent element, and it would be but reasonable to expect that the Emigrants would not be quite free from the taint. An examination in this respect could not well be held.
84. The rules in force in Hong Kong for the collection and despatch of Emigrants are all that can be required, provided the Officers of Government, and Emigration Agent, perform their duties. The following plan is observed. The Coolies are first taken to a depôt in Hong Kong, or a house duly licensed for that purpose, or proceed at once on board the ship engaged for their passage. In either case, the terms of the contract and all particulars are fully explained to them, in the first instance by the Emigration Agent, and afterwards by the Government Emigration Officer through the Inspector. Copies of the contract, &c., are also posted about in the most conspicuous places, so that those who can read can explain it to those who cannot. The contracts are never signed until the Coolies have been at the depôt, or on board ship some days; and as each contract is signed, it is handed to the Emigrant with his bonus and clothes, and he is again questioned as to his knowledge of the contract and his willingness to proceed on the voyage. As the Coolies often go on board in batches, they have frequent opportunities of seeing and knowing the Emigration Officer, and that Officer informed me that he took especial care that the Interpreter explained to them the objects of his visits.
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85. If the Emigration Agent and the Protector of Emigrants do their duty it appears to me impossible that one Coolie can be substituted for another after the contract is signed, or that any can receive their agreements unwillingly, or without knowing their nature.
86. Even after having signed the contracts, the Emigrants are allowed to cancel them at pleasure, on returning the clothes and bonus. In confirmation of this statement I may report that sixty men were allowed to land from the ship "Maria Theresa," which was the last ship despatched with contract laborers from Hong Kong to Dutch Guiana, two of the number being discharged on the day of the ship's departure. Of these, some were removed as they evinced turbulent dispositions, whilst others left to oblige their relatives, who persuaded them not to leave the country.
87. The maintenance of constant postal communications between the Emigrants and their friends in China is of consequence, and should be encouraged by their letters being sent free through the Emigration Agent.
88. The only disadvantage that Hong Kong, in my view presents, and it is a serious one, is that it has lately been found almost impossible to induce females to emigrate. The return in the Appendix will show that in the last shipment to Honolulu, there was not a single woman, though the Agent for that Island attached as much importance to a fair portion of females in Emigration as is done by the British Colonies.
89. I am, however, of opinion that with the Head Quarters of the Agency for Emigration to the British Colonies at Hong Kong, two European Sub-Agents, one at Canton, and the other at Swatow, under the immediate supervision of our Consuls, with a few intelligent and respectable Chinese travellers, whose duty it should be, under the official sanction of the Chinese Government, to travel in the interior for the circulation of notices, &c., and to assist by pecuniary advances poor families wishing to emigrate, any number of Emigrants may be obtained, and gradually female and family Emigration established. The mode of payment of the Chinese employés might be by fixed salaries, if the prevailing opinion against a capitation allowance should operate with the Government.
90. The Government of Hong Kong would assuredly give its support to a good and fair scheme, and I have very little doubt of the concurrence of the Chinese Government and District Officials, if it was only shown clearly that Emigrants recruited under this system would not be diverted to an illegitimate purpose.
794
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Swatow, Amoy, and Foochow have confirmed the favourable opinion I had formed of their power and energy. A few thousands of such people conten- tedly settled in the Island would no doubt greatly assist in the development of its resources.
81. It must not, however, be left out of view that Emigrants leaving China under contracts, are not drawn from the better or even middle classes, but from the very lowest and most needy of the laboring population; those only leave their country, under contracts to labor, who are driven from their homes by sheer want, neither they nor their relatives having the means to enable them to join the stream of free Emigration to the countries well- known to them from the reports of the thousands who are constantly returning with accumulated wealth or competencies. Countries within comparatively short distances from home, promise large gains and a speedy return to their own land, to enjoy the fruits of their industry amongst their families and friends, for such is their hope and expectation held out by an Emigration to California, Australia, or the Straits Settlements.
$2. In emigrating to the West Indies, these inducements, with the ex- ception of prospective gains, are wanting, and the accounts of the ad- vantages to be attained, they must take upon trust from strangers, who they may no doubt think interested, for few if any of their countymen have re- turned to testify of it. No doubt, a Chinaman on leaving his country attaches great importance to the possibility or means of an ultimate return to it.
83. Phsysically, Chinamen are far superior to Hindoos, and with more natural industry, though they are less submissive and docile, and in large numbers would require a much stronger rule. In the Colony of Hong Kong, a European stranger walking in the day-time in unfrequented spots does so at the risk of being robbed, and a wholesome application of the cat-o' nine A tails in Police cases is found necessary for the peace of the inhabitants. large Police force is maintained, and on patrol the men are always well-armed. In all the cities and towns of China, there is a strong sprinkling of the turbulent element, and it would be but reasonable to expect that the Emigrants would not be quite free from the taint. An examination in this respect could not well
be held.
84. The rules in force in Hong Kong for the collection and despatch of Emigrants are all that can be required, provided the Officers of Government, and Emigration Agent, perform their duties. The following plan is observed. The Coolies are first taken to a depôt in Hong Kong, or a house duly licensed for that purpose, or proceed at once on board the ship engaged for their passage. In rosher case, the terms of the contract and all particulars are fully explained to them, in the first instance by the Emigration Agent, and afterwards by the Go- vernment Emigration Officer through the Inspector. Copies of the contract, &c., are also posted about in the most conspicuous places, so that those who can read can explain it to those who cannot. The contracts are never signed until the Coolies have been at the depôt, or on board ship some days; and as each con-
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tract is signed, it is handed to the Emigrant with his bonus and clothes, and he is again questioned as to his knowledge of the contract and his willingness to proceed on the voyage, As the Coolies often go on board in batches, they have frequent opportunities of seeing and knowing the Emigration Officer, and that Officer informed me that he took especial care that the Interpreter explained to them the objects of his visits.
85. If the Emigration Agent and the Protector of Emigrants do their duty it appears to me impossible that one Coolie can be substituted for an- other after the contract is signed, or that any can receive their agreements unwillingly, or without knowing their nature.
86. Even after having signed the contracts, the Emigrants are allowed to cancel them at pleasure, on returning the clothes and bonus. In confirma- tion of this statement I may report that sixty men were allowed to land from the ship" Maria Theresa," which was the last ship despatched with contract laborers from Hong Kong to Dutch Guiana, two of the number being dis- charged on the day of the ship's departure. Of these, some were removed as they evinced turbulent dispositions, whilst others left to oblige their relatives, who persuaded them not to leave the country.
87. The maintenance of constant postal communications between the Emigrants and their friends in China is of consequence, and should be encouraged by their letters being sent free through the Emigration Agent.
88. The only disadvantage that Hong Kong, in my view presents, and it is a serious one, is that it has lately been found almost impossible to induce females to emigrate. The return in the Appendix will show that in the last shipment to Honolulu, there was not a single woman, though the Agent for that Island attached as much importance to a fair portion of females in Emigration as is done by the British Colonies.
89. I am, however, of opinion that with the Head Quarters of the Agency for Emigration to the British Colonies at Hong Kong, two European Sub-Agents, one at Canton, and the other at Swatow, under the immediate supervision of our Consuls, with a few intelligent and respectable Chinese travellers, whose duty it should be, under the official sanction of the Chinese Government, to travel in the interior for the circulation of notices, &c., and to assist by pecuniary advances poor families wishing to emigrate, any num- ber of Emigrants may be obtained, and gradually female and family Emigra- tion established. The mode of payment of the Chinese employés might be by fixed salaries, if the prevailing opinion against a capitation allowance should operate with the Government.
90. The Government of Hong Kong would assuredly give its support to a good and fair scheme, and I have very little doubt of the concurrence of the Chinese Government and District Officials, if it was only shown clear- ly that Emigrants recruited under this system would not be diverted to an illegitimate purpose.
794
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