CO129-256 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1892 [8-12] — Page 216

โท

succeeding accomplishing its object, would almost of a

certainty defeat its own ends. The Chinese might be encour-

aged to procure properly certified certificates of the

cause of death, but anything in the form of compulsion ought

to be avoidea, especially at the commencement of the attempt

to introduce among them the benefits of Western medical

science. At present many of the deaths occurring among the

Chinese are accompanied by certificates. The attached table

shews the number of deaths in Victoria in 1891, and how

many were accompanied by certificates. If the ceaths in the

Convents are included, and I think it is not unreasonable

that they should be, seeing that European doctors attend

these institutions, this table shews that 66 per cent of

the deaths in Victoria are accompanied by certificates. It

is true that the majority of these certificates, which were

given by native inters in the Tung Wa Hospital, are in

many instances too general. But the Colonial Surgeon who has

the right by Ordinance to enter that Hospital at all times

might be able to suggest to the native doctors how the cer-

tificates issued by them might be improved and made of more

value for statistical purposes than they are at present,

As regards the second object, which the scheme

has in view, the furnishing of medical assistance and medi-

cines to the poorer classes of Chinese resicent in the Co-

lony, I think every one will acknowledge that that is an

object which should receive every encouragement. Indeed I

think that this Government is bound to help the Chinese in

this direction. Our present medical service costs this Co-

lony in round figures about $40,000 a year, and the Chinese

who as rate-payers contribute the larger portion of that

21:

#