MINUTES.
MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.
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510
Government House,
Hong Kong.
29.1.23.
My dear Grindle,
China is so kaleidoscopic in its habits that any statement of today is likely to be fusețomorrow The latest instance is rather amusing.
Laat mail I sent you a despatch about the mui-tsai bill explaining the unexpected nature and strength of the opposition and the difficulty which I felt in forcing it through.
On the day I wrote it that despatch was true and sound. Two days afterwards I was told on good autucrity that the bill would not be opposed at all, as the Chinese Members had got cold feet. Apparently
to them what has occurred ie this. The labour guilds have petitioned in favour of the bill just to annoy the
bourgeoisie.
H.M.G. having said that the system must be abolished there is the probability that I shall put the bill trough by the official majority without regard to opposition.
If this happens, the labour guilds will claim that it is due to their support that the bill was
passed
ד י
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