CO129-194 - Governor Hennessy Administrator Tonnochy - 1881 [8-9] — Page 185

As time is

libel,

an

element

k.

af great impsitamer,

I have mast spectfully to submit that I am entitled to a reply torny |letter afite 16th instant without quicher delay.

I have 4.

(Signed) St. lp. Ahaurset. R.U.

Adacher Maite T

Gure leamy

Nython kett Hir

Harbor Master &

j

183

SUPPLEMENT TO THE "HONGK )NG TELEGRAPH.”

abce.

HONGKONG, THURSDAY, JULY 1st, 1881.

examine the list, and question a one government official filling two or NEWS for the ENGLISH MAIL. Government. These regulations con- can proceed to sea without a lide

sisted of twenty-two articles, and were from the Governor, loe which sufficient number of the proposed three different positions, so common meant to insure regularity and fair plication has to be made before migrants to see if they were really in Hongkong, is rotten to the core, Chinese Emigration to the Aus dealing in the engagement of Chinese vessel is laid on the berth, or be re free, and andor no contract of service. and wholly indefensible. The time any depôt can be opened for the Accordingly the three members form has surely come when the Aagean tralian Colonies via Hongkong, basander contract in foreign countries. for a considerable time past caused The soventh article which contains ception of Chinese emigrants, by the ing what the Daily Press sarcastic Stable wants a thorough cleaning our Government a great deal of anx-

the gist of the regulations, reads as owners or charterers, who musturally terms the eminent board" cut, and we would strongly reconi- nish all particulars that may be ssembled at 9 o'clock on the morn mend that a start be made at once in iety and trouble. The subject is follows:- one of such wide spread importance,

quired relating to the into coding of the 26th April, at the Harbour the Emigration Department. "The contracts shall specify :- affecting the vital interests of so

Ist. The place of destination, and voyage, emigration, &c. Itail Office, prepared to cross-oxamine the Every mercantile man in Hongkong be lawful, however, for the Govenor motley crew of diggers, tin-miners, knows well enough, the system on many different communities, and

the length of the engagement. which has raised in Australia so

in Council to exempt from the above carpenters. enoks, &c., when an nu which these so-called free einigrants 2nd-The right of the emigrant regulation, any mail steamers, or

foreseen difficulty arose. Captain are shipped on board steamers bound many difficulties between opposing classes, that the greatest possible to be conveyed back to his own other vessels which are subject to Thomsett, the Emigration Officer, for the Colonies, and they are equally circumspection on the part of our country, and the sun which shall be the provisions of "The Chinese Pas considering that his prerogative was well acquainted with the share born local government, in carrying out the paid at the expiration of his contract sengers Act, 1355," provided that the being infringed on, objected to the in the transactions by the Chinese conditions of the Ordinances regulat to cover the expenses of his voyage

Chines passangers proceeding in such examination of the emigrants by any Agents, or sub-charterers, so we will person excepting himself, and the not waste time and space by derailing ing Chinese Emigration from Hong-home, and that of his family, should vessels be free emigrants and under so

contract of service whatever

upshot of the fracas was that Dr. matters which are perfectly well kong, has been necessitated. From they sccompany him.

3rd. The number of working days The troubles which at diffent the days of the infamous coolie traffic

Eitel left the office in disgust, leav understood throughout this colony, up to the present time, the eyes of in the year, and the length of each times have occurred in Hongkonging Dr. Stewart and Mr. Gerrard to Emigration from China to the Colo- between the Owners or Charterer of settle with Captain 'Thomsett as best nies should not be encouraged. It the many philanthropic societies day's work. catablished in various parts of the 4th. The wages, rations, clothing, Chinese passenger ships and the bal they could. These two gentlemen is very rarely conducted honestly sartled the question, so far as they towards the emigrants themselves, world for the purpose of preventing and other advantages promised to the government, could hardly have Ein abuses of a similar character, not enigrant.

avoided in the existing state of the were concerned, by proceeding with and it has been, is, and will be the only to Chinese but to other native 5th. Gratuitus medical attend-j law, and from the very imperfect the examination as directed by the cause of serious troubles in nearly manner in which the different sect Governor, and after devoting two every city in Australia, Chinese labor races, have been stadfastly fixed ou Hongkong as one of the great out-

6th.---The sum which the emigrations of the Ordinance have beenap hears to questioning ten nen, they of the description seat down in the Gold lets of China, and it is quite certain that any infringement of, or deviation agroes to set aside out of his monthly plied. The past and present feeling reported that, if the emigrants they Glamis Castle is not required, not is

in Australia against the Chinese is had examined were not free and it desired in the Colonies,

under no contract of service, it would diggers, tin miners, and general from the law, either sauctioned or wages for the benefit of persons to

be impossible for them to show that laborers are not the sort of people permitted by the Executive of this be named by him, should he desire a subject which enters largely to to appropriate any sum to such a the proper discussion, and consiler

ation of the attitude which our Gey- they were not. Soon after Dr. Stewart likely to add to the permanent stabil colony would have called forth re-

ernment ought to assume towards and Mr, Gerrard had left the Harbourity of the country; and the natural monstrances of a character, from purpose."

Those regulations, based upon a these influential bodies, backed up

Office, Dr. Eitel returned by order developement of the Australian con- the general question of Chinese m- igration to the Colonies. There are of His Excellency, and was permitted tinent will come in its own good time, by public opinion, which no Eng- set of rules which had been in force lish Government could have ignored. at Canton, under local saction, for other matters too which require at-

to question four emigrants, and re- so far as railways, etc., etc., are con It is quite a common practice here, years, in the engagement of Coolies tention, besides the influence with ported:"Taking these four men as cerned, without the aid of Chinese as doubtless it is in other parts of for the British Colonies, although this species of commercial suter se a sample of the whole, I am couvine labor. The Colonics are progressing has on our mercantile relations vithed that the vast majority would, with the times sufficiently fast to their Own requirements. the globe, to write and speak of the apparently admirably suited to meet

on striel examination, be found to be moet Exeter Hall philanthropists in terms the requirement of the contract em-

the Chinese Government, and he men utterly unable to pay the pass- Although certain powerful companies of the greatest contempt. Whether igration of the present day, unfor- the Colonies, such as the views of

age money themselves, but who, in Australia would like to soe for not approved of the gentlemen who interest them-tunately

whilst being perfectly free and will their own capacial benefit a great scives so much in the wolfate of an by the Buglish and French Gov. actual wishes of the emigrants the m In making a roference to the Ales

ing emigrants, have had the passage deal of cheap Chinese labor in the civilised nations deserve such oporaments, and no general law has probrious treatment is altogether a ince been enacted, similar to that of our morning contemporary, womey advanced to them by Chinese country, the great mass of the people matter of opinion; bus that, in their of the United States, to provide accidentally came across the fall - firms, and will have to repay the money are strongly averse to their towns own way they have done a deal of for the thorough examination of ing paragraph in the Daily Pres of with interest within 18 months after being inundated with an alien race, good is beyond question. No right proposed emigrants, in order to de- April 29th. The coolies to dep arrival in Australia. The very ap. whose presence has already made

termine whether they are voluntary per Glamis Castle have, we hear,

peurance of the men,shoeless, itself felt to the detriment of the thinking man would defend the now

stockinglese-indicated the class of native horn laboring classes, and happily defunct Macao coolie trade, emigrants are not. Hongkong has been duly passed by the emin

labouring ca who live from hand receat legislation on the subject has although even that abominable traffic certain local regulations which apply, board deputed to conduct the

ataination. Further delay has. h to mouth, and from the experience evidenced how the feeling of the in hunsa beings existed for a con- but as these bacdly go far enough in

ever, been caused in connection w I have had of these classes in Chins, people inclines. We read in the siderable time, without greatly shock many exceptional cases, and are not

the signing of the necessary papers." I am induced to believe that the idea latest Sydney papers that when the ing that portion of the community supplemented, so far as we are aware,

of those men having paid their pas- emigrants by the Glamis Castle who were commercially interested in by legislation in Australia, it is un- It will be remembered that the abora

sages with their own money is ut- arrived, they were actually stoned in the speculation. What was called questionable that they in numerous named steamer, under charter to

the streets. Such barbarous treat- the unjust treatment of Mesare. instances fail to have the desired Messrs. Gibb, Livingaton & Co., letterly improbable." We have vory

carefully gone over the printed noter ment to a race of inoffensive, well- Olyphant & Co. by the Government effect. Ordinance 5 of 1874 provides this port on Friday, April 29th, cany

of the evidence of the witnesses meaning beings is a disgrace to our in the well-known "Perusia" busi- for what is termed a double medical ing $30 odd Chinese passengers

examined, and have no hesitation civilisation, but it proves clearly noas a few years back, caused a great inspection of all emigrants under bound for Sydney, and the other

whatever in confirming Dr. Eitel's enough the strong feeling which deal of commation here, and excited contracts of service, on shore before Australian ports, having been de-

repors in every particular. Captain exists against the Chinese in the much sympathy for that firm. What embarkation by the authorised med layed several days after her real grounds existed for that sympieal officer, and afterwards on board vertised time of departure in order Thomsett reported on the 231 capital of New South Wales, and April that he had examined the 839 this feeling is a most powerful factor athy time has clearly shown. There the ship; and the Emigration Officer that the passengers tight bo ex- is no doubt whatever that the Ne-is forbidden to grant the certificate amined by the eminent board" Chinese emigrants, and found that in the question we are now consider- mesis, otherwise the Pertsia, was required by "The Chinese Passengers above referred to, consisting of the they were free and nuder no contracting. The Imperial Chinese Govern, merely the forerunner of what was in Act 1855, unless he is satisfied that Acting Colonial Secretary, the Act of servies whatarer. One man how ment appareily take up interest tended to be a renewal of the coolie such examinations have been dulying Registrar General, and Dr. Eirai, ever, ous of the four oxamined by worth naming in the ioumigration of slave trade on a large scale, but under made, or dispensed with by the to ascertain whether the passengers Dr. Eitel, had admitted that he had their subjects, unless their attention another name, between the South of sanction of the Governor. It is further were really free emigrants, as de-a written agreement, and his name happens to be directed to some China and the South American Reordained that no contract emigrant scribed in the passenger list. The

case of the Glamis Castle publics. Recent accounts from Peru can embark without a permit from of the treatment the Chinese in that the Emigration Officer, who is for country have lately expericured vivid-bidden to issue the same unless he

were

ly recall to mind they worst days has proof that the emigrant has

in a Sonderge on site this pidical exu

selves.

to illustrate our ideas on Chia

Emigration to Australia,

છે.

ved

clearly explain to our inakas only the duties of our locsi meat, but also the views of Australian cousins on a quest ponalties to give notice to the Eui- which principally concerns their gration Officet, of every contract enterosta. On April 22nd, Meg tered into with curigrauts furnishing Gib, Livingston & Co. applied to full particulars as to nante, age, sex, the Government, in the usual fo and name of ship, and have to at under Soction II of Ordinance 5 of

of tend before him for the purpose delivering the contract tickets to the passengers, the migration Officer in each case explaining to the emigrant the true intent and meaning of such

he following day, e American Republie, uation prescribed by law. Passenger aud give us ronson to be thankful brokers are bound under heavy that the action of this Government probably prevented thousands upon thousands of Chiness laborers from suffering similar degradation and crueltics; and in many instances a violent death.

contract.

per ss. Glamis Castle, 839

11,

ay

The Chinese emigration from this

1876, for a general licence to co port to the Australian Colonics re-

Chinese Emigrants to Singapore the Australian Colonies. Then Serubles in many respects the e- igration to San Francisco, and the

plication was in due course forward by the Harbour Master, who is so results to both countries have gener- Ordinance 5 of 1871 (Part. I. see Emigration Officer, to the Colonial ally coincided. One great difference, however, must be noted. Emigrations 4 and 5), clearly defines the Secretary, and submitted to he tion to America, according to the difference in law which exists be- Members of the Executive Corteil lays that country (vide Sections tween a Chinese passenger ship car! who unanimously approved of he 3,158 and 2,162 of the Revised rying free emigrants, and one car application. On being laid here Statutes of the United States), is sup-rying emigrants under contract of the Governor, His Excellency

bo famished with posed bo free and voluntary in all service. The owners or charterers of quested respects; that to Australia has been every Chianso passenger ship must of the 539 free emigrants prop tainted to a considerable extent by give notice to the Emigration Officer; to be taken to Australia by Chamis Castle, and the listi what is known as the contract system, that such a vessel has been laid on which, with us in Hongkong under the borth for the conveyance of sets forth that the cigrants v certain conditions, is perfectly legal.Chinese emigrants, specifying name nearly all tio-minces, gold digg According to Mr. Seward, ex-Min. of ship, destination and probable and laborere, with a few carn ister of the United States at Peking, time of departure; and in all cases and cooks, and one trader : in 1866 a set of regalations regard where such intending emigrans are gardener was accordingly for ing contract emigration was drawn under contracts of service," the depot coming. The next stop was a min up by the British and French Min- where these emigrants are to be by the Governor instructing be isters at the Chinese capital, which lodged before embarkation must be ing Colonial Secretary, the Act, received the approval of the Chinese stated. No Chinese passenger ship Registrar General, and Dr. Eitel,

ist

1

.C

to

ཝཱམ

was removed from the list. On this tremendous grievance, similar to the report, the Governor, holding Captain cruelties practised against the coolics Thomsett responsible for the examin- ! in Cuba, Peru, and elsewhere. The of the 835 witon Dr. Ettel had origrauts themselves are doubtless .willing enough to try their luck in steamer accordingly left on other lands, but they are of a class who cannot afford to pay for their own It was no doubt very annoying for passages, hence the contract system, the charterers of the Glamis Castle which under some circumstances is a to have the steamer detained in the sort of debased slavery. The prosper. barbour for days after she was ready ❘ity of Hongkong, commercial or soci- to go to sea, and it was equally al, is not increased by encouraging the certain that if the vessel had been Chinese to emigrate to the Colonies; doubt, associations permitted to leave without its so although no called free emigrants undergoing which exist here as well as in Sydney, for the purpose of arranging the con- some sort of an examination, the government of this colony would tracts, getting the coolics from the have laid itself open to severe consure. country, and seeing them safely That the Emigration Officer's exami-housed, and shipped here, and started nation was a thorough farce, must to work on the other side, inake vaat be patent to every one who knows sums out of the traffic. There are anything of the manner in which many sound reasons why canigration these sham examinations are con- to the Colonies should not be en- aust hold the couraged by the English Gavern- dusted, and we Governor responsible for permitting ment; and we submit that the least such a state of affairs to exist. It is the Hougkong executive can do is absolutely indispensable that the to insist on the ordinance being car Emigration Officer should be a man ried out to the letter, and that in the I thoroughly conversant with the lang case of all free emigrants, a thorough unge and general customs of tic examination he instituted by pro- Chinese, and it is equally necessary perly qualified examiners, instead of that his time should not be taken up the unsatisfactory inspection by the with other duties. Capt. Thomaett Harbour Master, and a Portuguese is not a Chinese scholar, and as clark (whose honorarian from the Harbour Master he has more work state hardly places him in the posi than he can properly artend to--or tion assigned to Caesar's wife), which why should there be a Deputy has hitherto been considered suffi- Harbour Master! The principle of cient.