CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 224

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than they are at present, but a new burden would be laid on the well disposed. And the burden would be a heavy

one: a registration scheme would create endless

openings for squeeze and blackmail, in addition to the

interference with private life already referred to. The ground would be well prepared for such a development by the ignorance of most of the Chinese concerned, and not less by the suspicions that would be aroused in a

very large class, even of honest people, that the Govern- ment had some ulterior motive in their reistration

scheme. These would attempt to hide the truth, and

would so give tie blackmailer his opportunity. The Chinese genius for squeeze and blackmail as well as the

weakness which the victims show, are matters almost in-

conceivable to those who have not been in direct touch

with the people.

So much for general registration. It would

fail because evasion would be too easy: and because it

would lack public sympathy or even perhaps alienate it

by the Regulations that any serious attempt to enforce

it would require.

But would a partial registration scheme be

cossible for Hongkong residents alone? The abuses are

not mainly in the class that seems to be intended by this suggestion, for while it is difficult to define exactly what "Hongkong resident" means, those who have

is meant by

Λ

made Hongkong their permanent home are little, if at all,

concerned in the mi taai traffic. But all who can

afford itfrom the highest down, own mui tɛai: and this

part of the community is very ready to do all it can for

their protection. Such limited registration would mean

in a more pointed manner than e er that the well disposed

would be put to extra trouble: and the omission from

the Regulations of the regular trafficker, who moves about the country and lives nowhere, would entirely

eras culate