CO129-473 - Individuals - 1921 — Page 228

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have omitted to look carefully for a cure for its abuses, which have the effect of bringing everyone who shares in the system and follows the custom into disrepute abroad.

These institutions are good evidence that

the Chinese are not indifferent in this matter: and

the trouble and money they expend is evidence also that there is no simpler solution to be found than the

detailed detection of abuses. They have realised

that native sympathy and assistance are essential, and the best of them have assisted loyally.

Registration, either in the general or the more limited form, does not meet with their approval as a practical measure, and they are intensely practical

-

men and will even perhaps be resented for reasons

already detailed: and any attempt to impose it would

risk the loss of the present sympathy and co-operation

without which the efforts of the Government would

amount to very little indeed. Even now there seems

a dangerous tendency to resent the manner in which

their work has been ignored in all the publicity that

has been given to the "Slavery" question: and to feel

that the position given them is not proper recognition

for arduous work done by busy men for no remuneration. It might be added that the implied reflections on their capacity are no less unjustified: the members of the Committees are draw from the most prominent Chinese

business men of the Colony, who have set a high

standard for broadmindedness and ability.

If any

better practical scheme than their own can be devised,

they