CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6] — Page 234

sir,

Hongkong,

9th May, 1917.

232

2.

A resolution as to the exclusion of the Gormans

from Hongkong after the war as being in the best interesta

of the Colony was recently unanimously passed by the

Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.

Following on the above resolution the following

notice of motion in exactly similar terme was given in

the Legislative Council by the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak,

the representative of the Chamber on the Council :-

"It is in the opinion of this Council that

"it is in the bost interests of the Colony of

"Hongkong that persons of Gorman nationality

"should be excludod therefrom for a period of

"at least ten years following the declaration

"of peace, and that subsequently they be only

"admitted into the Colony under strict licence."

The motion was lost by a majority of 9 to 4. The

majority was composed of the official majority and the

two Chinese mombors. A record of the speeches at the

Council meeting in favour of and against the motion

will, no doubt, be transmitted to you in due course.

3.

Following on the Council meeting the resolution

was again submitted to a General Meeting of the Chamber

of Commerce and declared carried by an overwhelming

majority. I attended the meeting and spoke against

the motion. I have the honour to enclose the

newspaper report of the proceedings.

4.

Following on the Chamber of Commerce meeting the

resolution

-

in a slightly altered form was submitted

-1-

1