CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4] — Page 55

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"Short Voyage", whereby emigrants to British North Borneo, Sarawak &c., are made liable to inspection. The introduction of defini- -tions of "short", "long", and "extended" voyages and of an "emigrant ship" saves much repetition and adds to the clearness of

the phraseology.

5.

Section 28 gives power to a properly accredit- -ed agent of the Government of a British Colony to engage emigrants on contract with the authority of the Secretary of State. The object of this section is to facilitate the engagement

of labour for British North Borneo provided the Governor in

Council is satisfied with the form of contract. In the conditions

existing in British North Borneo it has seemed to me that the interests of the country and the protection of the emigrant could both be best served by the signing of the contract in Hongkong. Hitherto these emigrants have not been legally compelled to under-

-go any inspection in Hongkong, and I understood from Sir R. Dane

that a large number if not the majority had up to recently actual- -ly signed contracts before leaving this Colony. It is hoped that

this emigration may be placed on a much more satisfactory basis,

and I had the advantage of considerable conversation with Sir

West Ridgeway on the subject recently.

6.

The conditions of the Straits Settlements and

Federated Malay States are quite dissimilar. In those countries

the emigrant is well looked after by a Government Department and

it is to his advantage to have a choice of employers after his

arrival. It would however be of considerable advantage if those

Governments would enter into an understanding with the Government

of Hongkong as to the length of contract and general terus, for I

am inclined to think that the supply of labour to the Straits

might be somewhat facilitated, and the charges against the emigrant (or alternatively the employer) might be somewhat reduced, by a closer understanding and co-operation. The late Mr. V. D. Barnes for instance recommended that the Hongkong

Government