Jopy. 70.447. (19724/0/110)
British Legation,
560
Peking,
September 25th, 1918.
60173
RECO
REGE 12 DEC 18
gkong Jay 6.
Hongkong Bept.6.
Catow
Sir,
I have the honour to forward herewith for your
information copies of correspondence which have been
exchanged between His Excellency the Governor Hongkong and this Legation with regard to the measurement of ships for
purposes of Emigration licences.
Copies of despatches from His Majesty's Consuls at
Amoy and 3watow, the ports chiefly concerned in the Emigration trade, describing the precedure in force there are also
enclosed,
You will note that I am of opinion that the practice at present obtaining in respect of the certificate of by July 28. admeasurement issued by the port surveyors does not conflict
with the requirements of the ordinances governing the Emigration traffic and that I have deprecated any change in existing arrangements as calculated to have a damaging effect
on British shipping interests.
Whilst, as you will se, His Majesty's Consul at Amoy
fails properly to appreciate the fact that it is the Hongkong
Government which is charged with the duty of controlling the
procedure under which emigration from China is conducted, I venture to point out that the Act establishing that control (the Chinese Passenger Aot 1855) dates from a time when the
Governor of Hongkong was also Superintendent of Trade in
China, and that in the light of changed conditions the
existing legislature appears somewhat out of date.
I have,etc.,
(SD) J. N. Jordan.
Right Honourable
A. J. Balfour,
etc.
F.F.,
etc. etc.
Foreign Office.
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