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prepared to use the boycott as a pretext for airing
labour grievances.
Conditions of labour here are no doubt such as
would in most countries be considered scandalous, and y et
the workers themselves seem on the whole cheerful and
content ed. It is interesting to recall the Report of
the Mission to China of the Blackburn Chamber of Commerce
1896-7, (Messrs, Neville & Bell's section) on this
subject:-
*There is, moreover, no hampering legislation, for
"which there has been such a reckless demand of recent
"years in the West, curtailing the liberty of the
"labourer within the narrowest possible limits, and unduly
"harassing the employer. In the East, every man, woran
"and child is allowed, without restrictions,to sell his
"or her labour at the best price obtainable, and to work
"under any conditi ms as to hours, system, or place.
"Employers are at liberty to conduct their own business
"as Beens best to their discretion and judgment,with-
"out being confronted at every turn by Acts of Par-
"liament, and systems of espionage, that seen specially
"designed to restrict individual enterprise and to
"frustrate individual endeavour".. ( page 238).
It may, I think, be confidently stated that
extremist views have no dold on the Cantonese, and it is
difficult to believe that high-sounding talk about
Soviets and Anarchism is likely to make many converts
in this Province, where something approaching anarchy
is more or less endemic, where the people enjoy a large
measure of self government, and where there are no
large laud-owners or aristocracy.
I have, etc.,
(SD) C. F. Garstin.
Acting Consul-General.
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