247
Whampoa, I telegraphed to Peking on the 29th. to the effect that the notification of Whampoa as a port of embarkation for labourers to South Africa would be disadvantageous to Hongkong and would probably not overcome the present opposition to emigration from Kwangtung.
8.
Yet another difficulty has recently arisen. The S.S. "Lothian" sailed from here on the 24th August with 453 coolies on board collected from various parts. On her arrival at Durban the Medical Officer on board gave a clean bill of health but after the coolies had been received on the mines 61 cases of berri-berri were discovered. In consequence of this the South African Mining Companies have stopped engagement of coolies in South China and Mr. Perry their representative is on his way to Hongkong to investigate the matter and decide on further action. I am informed that it is contemplated to give up the attempt to engage labourers at Canton and Wuchow and in future to collect them at Swatow in Kwangtung and at Amoy and Fuchow in Fukien for subsequent embarkation at Hongkong.
9.
The present state of the whole question of the emigration of Chinese labourers from South China to South Africa may be summarised thus:-
(1) The South African Mining Companies have, owing to an outbreak of berri-berri in the Transvaal, temporarily suspended action in the matter of engaging labourers in South China.
(2) The Local Chinese Authorities object to and put every obstacle in the way of recruiting in South China except through their Agency.
(3) ...
247
Whampoa, I telegraphed to Peking on the 29th. to the effect
that the notification of Whampoa as a port of embarkation for labourers to South Africa would be disadvantageous to Hongkong and would probably not overcome the present opposition to
emigration from Kwang tung.
8.
Yet another difficulty has recently arisen.
The S.S. "Lothian" sailed from here on the 24th. August with
453 coolies on board collected from various parts. On her ar-
rival at Durban the Medical Officer on board gave a clean
bill of health but after the coolies had been received on the
mines 61 cases of berri-berri were discovered. In consequence
of this the South African Mining Companies have stopped
engagement of coolies in South China and Mr. Perry their re-
presentative is on his way to Hongkong to investigate the
matter and decide on further action. I am informed that it is
contemplated to give up the attempt to engage labourers at
Canton and Wuchow and in future to collect them at Swatow in
Kwang tung and at Amoy and Fuchow in Fuklen for subsequent
enbarkation at Hongkong.
9.
The present state of the whole question
of the emigration of Chinese labourers from South China to
South Africa may be summarised thus.-
(1)
The South African Mining Companies have,
owing to an outbreak of berri-berri in the Transvaal, tempora-
rily suspended action in the matter of engaging labourers in
South China.
(2)
The Local Chinese Authorities object to
and put every obstacle in the way of recruiting in South
China except through their Agency.
(3)
...
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