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of whom we have heard a good deal. But when the time umes when they can be of some practical assistance to the Government, where are they. (Hear, bear, and applause). BusinsgR men in this phew know iar more about the mat- ver tuan I do, but I would say, make a angg: s- tion to the Government. So suggestion has beeu wade at this meeting that I know of, and if you will perroit me. I suggest that there should" be | an importation of coolies--coolies who could come down here-and why not get 1,000 or 2,000- whatever rutuber might be required -and ask the Govant to find accommodation and pro- tection for them whilst they are bero. Half the number that came down here could be taken from ship to ship by those who have ships con stantly in us and the remainder might be housed by arrangement, and allowed out by the Go. vernment.. Is is no good sitting down and
ying Où. the Government are a poor lot.”. Daughter). Well, perhaps they are, but give them some practical suggestion. Practical men, I practical suggestion. Let us go to the Govern- ment and hear what they hara to say about it.
Mr. DODWELL-I am glad to hear what Cap- tain Ramsey has brought our attention to. The Government can do more than we as indi- viduals. As Mr. Mackintosh said, we must have
a strong combination to meet a strong combita- tion. if the Government can be persuaded to import labour. those who are employers of labour will be expected to guarantee to take their labour from the Government at certain, fixed rates. But if this strike is affecting the colony surely it is the colony that shonia pay for it and not individuals. Most of us are agouts only sad not principa's. We are work-, ing for other people, and for other peoples' ships.
and very few of us for our own property, and I think the loss which would otherwise fall on us individually should really fall on the colony. The coolies are not working our ships or eary-
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ing our cargo and this will be a great loss to the colony. Shipowners will avoid the plox and therefore we must do everything we can to get colies to take the place of the coolies now ou strike. There are many places from which coolies cau be got, but the trouble is there would be great delay. We want to get them quickly. The strike has been on four days now and it would cor- tainly by a wook or ten days before we could get relist from any other parts. My own opinion is that Japan is the best place to apply to for immediate belp. I know there are many dif flonities in the way, especially at the present time, but it seems to me that to being Chinese here would only be putting off the evil day. It we bring Japanese here the Chinese will see that we can do without them. As to what should be done to prevent a recurrence of this, i do pot advocate Japaness labour being hore per- ¦ manently, but I think Indian labour would be very useful here. It would be of very great! servica to the colony to bave two or three thon. sand Indian labourers here should we at any time be involved in war. We know in that case the Chinese would not help as, but the Indians would be of Vital assistance to our army and navy. The question now is Whether all the employers of labour would be prepared to promise that the whole of the Isbour they required should be taken from the Govern- ment importations. If there was a guarantee given to the Government surely they might then telegraph for labour. I believe that if the Chinese know that the Government is telegraph. ug for labour you will very soon see a different state of affairs. (Applause).
Mr. GRANVILLE SHARP-I think we are very muck indebted to the Government, to the mill- tary, and to the police for the measures they have taken at this orisis. There is no doubt what- ever that it was the best thing that could possibly I be done, and it has been very well done. The fill in the temperature of 10 degrees within the last 24 hours has been greatly in our favour. Europenus can work at 65 degrees Fahrenheit; at 75, at whiob the temperature was the day before yesterday, they found it very laborious work. At 85 it will be simply impossible to work. Europeans cannot do physical work in the i summer in Hongkong, and therefore, however satisfactory the present position may be, it cannot be permanent. In England strikes con.. tinus. There is no law against strikes. I think our condition in Hongkong is a little dif- ferent. The Chinese labourera bere do
some
みどり
not belong to the British nationally. They are here by invitation and by favour, and therefore I think there might be slight diffarepoe in the way offences regarded. The offence of striking might b troated in Hongkong differently from striking in Londoa. Bat in England, at any rate, the. Government has set its foot most firmly upou ihe subject of intimidation and violence, and if the position had been fully realised on Saturday when the poolie was caught red-handed in the violent treatment of another coolie, when he struck and knocked his baskets off his shoulder, and threw the bamboo into the sea, I think the case might have been treated differently from wont it was. I regard, sir, the punishment that was indictel, which no doubt was pre- scribed by Ordinance, as an absolute favour to put upoo & roalcitrant coolie, who will go to gaol to have one quarter of the work and doable The show to which he has been accustomed. This can be regarded as no deterrent punishment at all. (Applause). I am afraid there is no justi. fication for the magistrate having acted other- wise, but if he had been empowered-and per- haps it might be desirable to obtain some powers --if he had been empowered to have ordered the evolia to be caned with his olothes off, as we in school used to be oaned with our clothes on- (aughter)-given 29 strokes, and then sentį into the street showing his blue and red buck, il I believe the strike would have been at; an eni.
Mach time, has been lost. I am very thankful that the Harbour Master, Captain Rumsey, bas said what has been on my mind for my years, namely, that the leading Chi- nose, the mea of wealth. the men of standing in this place, are answerable for a great deal of our trouble here. (Applause) Asiatics do not love Englishmen except when they are strong, and as long as they are strong and no longer.
weak; love the Englishmen
the Chinese love the strong, and I think it would be 2 Very mistaken attitude for us to adopt in the present emergency to consult with the Chinese at all. (Applause). I think it would be undesirable to import a number of Japanese at the present time, sud especially ander our recent enlightenment with regard to Japanese, Japanese are Asiaties. and I do not They think the Japanese are very fond of ne
it has been suggested that Indians should be engaged, but the fact is that the Chinese are the mes we want. The Chinese are the only man that can carry; Indians and Japanese cannot orry.
It is the shoulder that is the power of the Chinese coolie, and that is what we want and what we must obtain. I think. air. that wo might represent to the Government our feeling upon the matter in regard to the responsibility for this state of things. I am quite sure that these poor men are not the men who are respon- sible. As the Chairman has stated, they are led by others. Let it be clearly stated by the Go. vernment that they hold the leading Chinesa responsible for the state of the place. This might seem to our British ideas unsuitable, but the Chinese will not regard it as unsuitable, It is entirely in keeping with their system. We make you The Government should say, responsible for this matter and if you do not mend we shall take some steps against you with regard to it." We have been too lenient in the past. When I first came to Hongkong every Chinese coolie duffed his cap and stood on one T Iside to allow you to pass. When do you see a coolie do that now? We do not exercise car undoubted superiority. We must rule by power. and it is this we must assert in Hongkong, and by which we must carry the day. (Applause).
Mr. C. S. TAYLOR-The Chiuaman is in- uned with his own notions of the Goveru. ment, and he gains sufficient knowledge of our laws to know that so long as he does not break the laws we do not interfere with him. But be perhaps does not know that on au emergency The Government has power to auspand the law. The present crisis may not be regarded by Western cations as an emergency, but Western nations do not live in Hongkong. and do not look at the matter in the same light I understand that we mest bere to- as we do. day advise the Government. I suggest that. the Government should give notice that nnless this strike is faished on Monday we proclaim martial law." (Hear. hear, and applause). Dur- ng Sunday the Government could make its
and what then?
WAL
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