....
farrangements. (Applause).
Mr. DENNYS-Mr. Gillies, as I understand
him, said that he thought it might be advisable to approsen the Chinese representatives of the strikers in order to find out what they wanted. If the cooling were striking for higher wages I for one would any find out what the Chinese want. I have had considerable ex- perience with the Chinese and I say that they simply take this stand and say to the Govern ment, If you do not do what we want coolies shall strike. the coaling coolies first, then the merchant coolies, then the house boys, and so on, including 'ricksba and chair coolies." It begins with labour. If that is not found suflicient shops will be el sed. It is the aim of oer- tain people to enforce their ideas by threaten- ing the Government, and therefore I think that very Englishnan, every European, living in this cutouy ought to back up the Government, as far as possible during this arisis. (Applause) Mr. Donwrt & asked what had been done by the Registrar General's Office.
men ex-
Mr. MACKINTOSH-Ducin the period that the Registrar General has he office no action has been taken. Bet we have explained deliber- ately and clearly personally to the head coolies of the colony the various operations of the law. They were filled with all manner of incon-} stencies, u Mr. Gillies has mentioned. They said they were to be faed and poll tired. They were told that this was all an illusion. Over three thousand placards were printed and circulated
the whole
of these amongst plaining how the maitar stood. la my own case I have had before me the heads of the different departments representing them thou. sand men, ani first of all they said the Govern- ment would impose a poll tax. I said, "I will pay the poll tax; there will be no poll tax." Then they said there was a registration fas. I Then said. "Wa will pay the registration fee." they said they were threatened by men. who would come down and kill them. I said, l'here. are three thousand of yo0 How many mon are coming down bere ? Why, you would eat them ap." I also told the that they would have protection from military and polio. They replied. "We might be baatsu on leaving
the promises." I said, "You will not be beaten, but if you do go away from the pr-- miss and got beaten and if you will produ the man that beats yon I will give $201 to ench m30."
(Applause). Ut derlying all this is the Who ha is I do not wire paller at the back. kuow, and I wish we did. hore is a secret fand which is supporting these men, sad whether The it comes from the guilds we do not know Government nes unable to find out. Detectives have been sent out, but they bay not succeeded in arresting anyone. The men themselves are perfectly pisse and indifferent, and the only raply I can get from them now is, If you will get the iongk n; coolies to go in we will go in
alved
The CHAIRMAN-I would surgast as a prao- tical measure that a Committee of five or seven gentlemen be efented by the meeting to deli- berate updo this grave question and to put them- selv-8 in connction with the Government. Mr. FENWICK-I beg to second that.
The following Committee was thereupon appointed-Hon. J. J. Keswick, Mesars. Muc- kintosh, D. Gillies. N. A. Siebs. G. B. Dodwell, H. Dennys, and St. C. Michalsen.
The CHAIRMAN-If that Committee mests with gene al approval I propose that it be auto- rized to add to its number if necessary. (Ap- planse).
The suggestion was approved.
The CHAIRMAN-Phat conclades the business of this meeting, which I hope will not have been io vain. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing on behalf of tue meeting the very great obligation I consider the public ar auder to the military and to the navy for the great services they have rendered in the auparalleled emergencies of the colony. (Hear, hear, and applause).
A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded | the proce-dings.
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