CO129-394 - Governor Sir May & Public Offices - 1912 [12] — Page 193

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to continue the Chinese are doing nether the one nor the other. I have shown that the boycott is unreasonable and foolish and now I would remind you that it is unjust. For the boycotters are trying to destroy a commercial concern which is of much benefit to the Community, and in which by the way considerable Chinese capital is invested, simply out of spite bred of senti- ment as childish as it is false.

members

A

I cannot permit such injustice to be done. Therefore

tomorrow I propose to pass in the Legislative Council a law which while giving our additional powers for dealing with boy-

some of cotters will enable me to raise taxes from the Community whose

A are promoting and fostering the boycott out of which to make

good the losses of the Company. But I feel confident that on

this occasion it will not be necessary to take action under this

law, which will nevertheless be passed as a safeguard for the future, because I feel convinced that after the full explanation

I have given, the Chinese will demonstrate to the Colony and to the world that they are not bereft of that sound common sense, that appreciation of business affairs, that respect for what is

just and reasonable for which the Chinese have heretofore been

distinguished.

Frobably you and others have not thoroughly under-

stood this matter till now. That I can easily understand. On my

assurance that the action of the Tramway is merely a business

transaction, You will,I feel sure, show that the whole matter has

been a misunderstanding by travelling yourselves and bidding

your employees to travel by the Tramway from tomorrow. To give

time to you to get accustomed to the new conditions I will

arrange that all passengers shall be carried free for the next

three days on the understanding that after that there will be

no further difficulty in tendering the coins which bear the

offigy of Victoria the Good and Great, whose name this City hears

to which many Chinese owe their wealth and happiness, and of

her son the late King & Emperor Edward II.