is
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altogether. No member whatever of this Com- mittee took this action
The COLONIAL SECRETARY I thought the Committee were responsible for this Chinese The Committee dony all responsibility for this Chinese ?
Hoo. J. J. KESWICK-The Committee have not seen the translation. We had nothing to do with the translation.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY--I think it is im- port
that the Committee should state that cleary, seeing that the names of all their firms ar attached to the no ice. I think it is also important to ascertain who is responsible for this otice; because it is certain, I believe, that it has created a false feeling amongst the labouring classes that they have practically succeeded in escaping the necessity of registration, and as His Excellency has stated through me in a letter which 1 addressed to Mr. Keswick last night there is no intention whatever on the part of the Gaverament to compromise in that direction in any way. t the me-ting held in the City Hall, so far as 1 cau learn froŭ the newspaper reports, there was absolutely no grievance on the part of the labourers. To-day no member of the Committee has pointed out a single grievance alleged. It is therefore not to be thought for one moment that the Govern- ment is going to concede to a body of men who hare caused great inconvenience and loss to this ool.ny without a shadow of reason or without any grievance whatever. I do not think there is any necessity to say more.
His EXCELLENCY-I am very glad to have heard your views upon this subject. It is a matter of very serious importance, but at the same time I cannot conceal my astonishment at the wonderful change of face which has takeu place within the last two days amongst the morcantile commuuity. On Thursday last I stated in the Council Chamber that I had taken up a certain position and did not intend to de- part from it, and that I thought it would be weak and criminal to do so, and that I hoped all the mercantile community would support me through thick and thin. Gentlemen, that statement was received with applause. That same afternoon a public mesting was held in the Chamber of Com meres and, as has been observed by Mr. Lockhart, every member who spoke-as far as the papers are a guide-was in favour of combination- strong combination-these were the words, used by Mr. Mackintosh.
Mr. MACKINTOSH-ertainly.
HIS EXCELLENCY--And it was stated by Mr. Dennys that the coolies, also the 'rickaha, and, ohair conlles sud (be house hoys would be strik- fing, too; and every member, with the exception of Mr. Gillies, who is got hers present, and whose remarks were received with disapproval. was in favour of stng action and combination against the atrik rs 1 am sorry I was out on the harbour yesterday afternoon and did not return til seven o'alce, when I found Mr. Lockhart, who had been waiting hore--and be had waited two hours-to hear my decision. I had no hesitation in coming to that decision. consider the suggestion you made simply a weak concession to these men, who have not the slight- est claim for consideration or any grievance whatever, and I think the suggestion to make the landlord primarily responsible i-as Mr May has properly observed-im- proper, inequitabla, illogical, unjust, and could Bever be carried out. I mean to say the issue of This notification or proclamation-the notion yon hava takon, although no doubt it was tery well intended. has plaod me in considerablo difficulty. I find my position weakened, but I have no intention of departing from it.
I very much regret indeed that I cannot Live & Diere favourable answer to the repres utations of the Committee. I am fortified in this position by the knowledge that the Canadian Pac.fie Railway and the P. and O. Company are strongly adverse to any concession whatever; and I hear from the agent of the C.P.R. that their men were actually commug into work this morning, and on receiving this notification they turned their broks upon the P. and O. and C.P.R. I am very sorry I cannot give you a more favourable niswer; and ( believe if we hold out the strike will be ore nu Monday or Tuesday. It we could get hold of the head men
that
not Mr. Dennys's clients--who are in hiding in Kowloon, we shall take care they do not cours back to the colony again.
OD. J. J. Kuswick-In the first place ( must express the acknowledgment of the Com- wittee to your Excellency for receiving us this afternoon. But 1 express very great regret, in coming here in order to invite an expression of your Excellency's views on this subject and to bake our recommendation that the landlords should register instead of the tensot, to find there was no moderation iu language on the part of a gentleman bere.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-That was with. drawn.
Hoo, J. J. Keswick - I quite recoguise it was withdrawn, but it shows the antagonism which exists. Yesterday when we mat that deputation and made the guarantee that there would be no poll tax, I noen hardly say it was done with the assurance-which I am sure was not mistakon- that the strike would geass immediately it was given. The strike practic dly dul cease as soon as the knowledge of that WMA given, and it was revert to only this morning in order that they might have the Government ualification. I think it is a grat pity that in serious mat tars like this any unnecessary passion should be imported into the disenssion. I came here with the desire of discussing in a quiet and calm manner & matter of serious import; but if your Excellency thinks it is necessary to bold ♬ m and make no concession, I would ask, is the Government fully aware that it is strong soough to quell this strike before it has brought most terrible consequences upon the colony? Has it the power-is the Ordinsuos ready to put in force to stop this strika? If it bas I shall be glad; but I doubt it very much. I am fally aware of the inadequacy of my words, I bave not expressed all I might have or wished to express, but if I have said anything improperly I offer apologies. Bat I feel strongly this is a matter which requires farther consideration ou the part of the Government. I believe I am ex- pressing the opinions of the Committue-and the opinions of al who attended the meeting on Thursday-wbeu I say that there is only one feeling-to strengthen and support the Govern. ment, far from sadermining it. For myself
His EXCELLENCY-I am very glad to receive from the hon. member all these assurances, which I am sure need not bave been givou. The anfor- tunate expression of the Captain Superinten- dent of Police was immediately withdrawn, and as it was withdrawn you must make full allow- auce for the difficulty of his position. He has been working night and day and is responsible for law and order all over the place, and it is only natural he should feel rather strongly upon this matter. As for the power of the Government, I think it is quite strong enough and realy suongh to most any difficulty which might arise. At least I trust so. It not, we shall take further measures. If this. which I cannot but cousider is a weak concession. were made it would make matters worse. It would be ba ring over the rule of the colony to nob rate-t-il 9 head coolies, and I certainly do not wish it over to be said-while I am bere or after I have hande! over this colony to mob rule either from fear, favour, affection, or ill-will. Mr. F. H. MAT-Before the gentlemen leave I have already withdrawn the remark I made -- I wish to apologise to the gentlemen if I have in any way hurt their feelings, I can only say that my every endeavour is to do the best Ï can for the colony, and I sincerely believe the best thing for the colony jo its present emergency is to see this strike out, however great the invon- venience. It may entail the loss of a few hun- dred thousand dollars, but it will be the cheapest thing in the end.
The deputation then withdrew.
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