CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 192

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etubolo &

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Councils of the world. You know that I am personally a well wisher of China and that I am ever ready to help the constitut- ed authorities in the Kwangtung Province. Now if you imagine that the Chinese are enhancing the prestige of China by such unreasonable and foolish action as the boycotting of this

Tramway you make a vast mistake.

On the contrary it only brings upon you Chinese ridicule and contempt. For the eyes of the world are upon the Chinese to see how they will conduct themselves under the new

conditions that have arisen.

If the Chinese succeed in building up a prosperous

and powerful nation under a strong and capable Government then

you will earn the admiration of the world. But such results

are not to be achieved by defying the laws of a great and

friendly power in whose territory large numbers of Chinese

reside; and in seeking to destroy a commercial enterprise, in which by the way many Chinese have invested their capital, because of some vague suspicion that because they do what you

do in Canton they seek to insult China.

Rather should you set an example to the Chinese in

China of an intelligent appreciation of international usage;

of consideration for the rights of your fellow men; of respect

for the law of the country in which you elect to reside. The

last consideration brings me to my last argument. Let me remind

you that this is a British Colony, part of the British Empire.

Most of the Chinese residing here are here for their own free

cort

will. They have come here principally for one reason only to

make money. The Chinese population of this Colony has ever been

treated fairly by this Government and with due regard to their

customs and their rights as citizens of the British Empire. In

return for the hospitality, protection, and other advantages

which you Chinese gain here, we ask only two things-that you

should respect the flag under whose shadow you live and obey our

laws.

By allowing this foolish, unreasonable and unjust boycott

to

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