CO129-307 - Governor Sir Blake - 1901 [10-12] — Page 831

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1.12.1907.

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give me the benefit of their views on the subject, and caused

them to be informed of the opinions held by myself,

4

On the 20th. instant, the question was

fully considered in Executive Council, especially as to the

question whether there should or should not be compulsory

registration of private coolies, and it was advised by a ma-

jority of the members of Council that no steps should be taken

to carry out the recommendations of the Committee. This

advice was given on the ground that the recommendations, if

carried out, were not calculated to bring about the desired

result, nor, in the long run, to satisfy the mployers of

private coolies, inasmuch as the real causes of discontent

appeared to be traceable to the state of the labour market

of Hongkong and China and other natural economic conditions.

$..

I have now the honour to transit for

your information six copies of the Report together with m

statement of my own views, which I drew up after reading the Report but before I consulted the Executive Council.

6.

I also enclose an extract from the "China

20.12.1907.

Mail' of the 20th. instant from which it appears that the difficulties dealt with by the Commissioners who drew up the Report may be nitigated by other methods than those suggested by them, methods which would be less subversive of sound

economic principles.

have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

Governor, &c..