CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 479

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in which you invited my observations by telegraph on the

clauses of a draft Treaty which is being drawn up between His

Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government to regulate

the emigration of Chinese indentured labour into a British

Colony or Protectorate. In reply I sent you the two telegrams

of which I now enclose copies.

28th 29th

March 1904.

11778

4.

I regard the proposal to conduct the

emigration from Chinese Ports as objectionable, first, on the

ground of the great expense that will be entailed by the pay-

ment of the exorbitant fee of Four Dollars per coolie to the

Chinese Government (the fee here for medically inspecting and

passing an emigrant is but 25 cents) and in providing Depots

at several different places; and, secondly, because everything

in connection with such emigration will be less honestly and

less thoroughly done under Chinese control than it would be

under British control in a British Colony. It must be remembered

that if abuses creep in it is the British employers in the

Transvaal and the British Authorities that will suffer in

pocket and reputation respectively.

5.

Apart from those considerations it is to

our pecuniary interest that the emigration should be conducted

from British Colonies. Such emigration would materially assist

our revenue and would be of enormous value both directly and

indirectly to Weihaiwei.

I suggested in my second telegram a fee of

One Dollar per coolie to the Chinese Government. Such fee

should more than recoup them in any outlay entailed in assisting

and watching the emigration on their side. I assume that the

Four