CO129-590-11 Commission of Enquiry into irregularities in Immigration Departments 22-4-1941 - 19-12-1941 — Page 133

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Did you obtain the approval either of Goverment generally or of the

financial officers of the government to your employing money-changera

like this?

No, I am afraid that the question rose in my mind that the desperate

urgency of work in that department had not yet been measured by

I had no time even to

anyone.

I had no time to ask for permission

protest against the overwork.

You say deposits which were government monies were coming into the

hands of non-government money-changers who in turn gave you a chaque

I deny that.

From your memorandum I understood that was the system

be corrected.

I stand to

Perhaps you will put me right. I think it is on page

13 of your note - "And to affect the same object in their ase I

granted a money-chunger the privilege of sending a representative on

board each ship to be examined there to exchange any foreign

currencies and to take any amounts tendered in H. K. currency"?

Yes.

I am afraid I don't see where my first statement is in error:

Who

I don't concede it is government money until government handles it. If a passenger/has not got valid immigration documents is on board a

ship which you examine and you agree to his entry on condition that

he deposits $1007

In Hong Kong currency.

And he tenders the equivalent in another currency of the value of

$100?

I say no.

You say no he tenders that to a money changer and the money changer

in turn gets freedom to land for that man, and gives you a cheque?

The money changer hands to me the equivalent at a rate of exchange

which he fixed, in Hong Kong currency.

Does he give you the equivalent in H.K. currency or by cheque?

A.

A cheque for the equivalent in Hong Kong currency.

Is that money changer in any way secured?

A.

No.

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