CO129-509-6 Recruitment of Chinese labour in Hong Kong for work in North Borneo and Spanish guinea... 27-3-1928 - 27-12-1928 — Page 56

NOTES OF THE CONFERENCE ON THE

RECRUITMENT OF CHINESE LABOUR

IN HONG-KONG.

10

55

Held in the Colonial Office on the 22nd March, 1923.

PRESENT:

Mr.V.D.Ellis, C.M.G.

Mr.H.R.Cowell,

Mr.E.B.Boyd

Mr.S.Caine

Mr.H.N.Tait

Mr.G.A. Mounsey, C., G.

Colonial Office.

Dominions Office.

Foreign Office.

Mr.W.T.Southorn, C.M. G.

Colonial Secretary,

Hong Kong.

Mr.Ellis explained the necessity for the

Conference which had arisen in the first place out

appi ation.

of an explanation to recruit Chinese labour for

Sarawak, which had led to the formulation of certain

proposals for future practice by the Governor of

Hong Kong. He explained that it had appeared

difficult to approve these proposals in view of

the recent Cabinet decision regarding the proposal

to introduce Chinese labourers into the New Hebrides,

to the effect that:

"From a political point of view it was

impossible to acquiesce in the introduction

of Chinese labourers into the New Hebrides".

Mr.Cowell said that, without knowing exactly

the reasons for the Cabinet decision, he understood

that it was mainly based on an objection to the

introduction of Chinese labour as a fresh thing

into territory where Chinese labour did not already

exist, and where it would complicate already existing

racial