566
vessel has had to be cancelled and its place taken by a German ship.
The Association is at a loss to understand upon what authority the Hong Kong Ordinances have been passed, as they know of no power contained either in the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 which governs British Shipping or in any other Act of Parliament, by which British shipowners can be prevented from engaging in a carrying trade between the ports of two foreign countries which is perfectly legitimate according to the laws of these countries.
The Association does not overlook the Chinese Passenger Act 1855 which enables the Legislature of Hong Kong to make regulations as to ships carrying Chinese passengers, but I need hardly point out to your Lordship that this Act gives no power to the legislature of Hong Kong to prohibit altogether the carrying of Chinese passengers from China to the ports of other countries, but merely to impose regulations for the purpose of securing their comfort and proper treatment.
The Association understands that the trade in carrying Chinese coolies is likely to develop enormously. At the present moment the United States Government is inviting tenders for 2,500 Contract labourers and it is reported that probably some 30,000 will be required, whilst the Government of Mexico is taking a number of labourers under similar conditions, so that
2.
566
vessel has had to be cancelled and its place taken by a German
ship.
The Association is at a loss to understand upon what authority the Hong Kong Ordinances have been passed, as they know of no power contained either in the Merchant Shipping Act 1894 which governs British Shipping or in any other Act of Parliament, by which British shipowners can be prevented from engaging in a carrying trade between the ports of two foreign countries which is perfectly legitimate according to the laws
of these countries. The Association does not overlook the
Chinese Passenger Act 1855 whibh enables the Legislature of
Hong Kong to make regulations as to ships carrying Chinese
passengers, but I need hardly point out to your Lordship that this Act gives no power to the legislature of Hong Kong to prohibit altogether the carrying of Chinese passengers from China to the ports of other countries, but merely to impose regulations for the purpose of securing their comfort and proper treatment,
The Association understands that the trade in carrying Chinese coolies is likely to develop enormously. At the present moment the United States Government is inviting tenders for 2,500 Contract labourers and it is reported that probably
some 30,000 will be required, whilst the Government of Mexico is taking a number of labourers under similar conditions, so that
2.
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