280
NOTES AND QUERIES
The attempt to check emigration once more brings the Committee of Tung Wah prominently and unpleasantly to the fore as busy mischief-mongers. We have, time after time, exposed the pretensions of this body and have endeavoured to impress upon the Government the impolicy of recognizing the members of the Hospital Committee as such in any matters unconnected with the institution. Here we have an irresponsible body arrogating to itself all sorts of functions through the exercise of which it can render itself formidable alike to foreigners and natives. The latter, indeed, are almost completely under its thumb, and few of them would dream of resisting its mandates. If the members of this Committee are allowed much longer to continue their aggressive career, no merchant, foreign or native, will be safe from interference. It is high time steps were taken to crush the pretensions of that Committee, and we trust the Governor will adopt decisive measures in that direction. If his predecessors had uniformly declined to discuss any matters not connected with the Hospital with this meddlesome Committee, the evil would not have grown to its present height.
It was easy to criticize and fulminate; it was not so easy to formulate the bridge of communication between two alien communities. Successive Governors recognized the Tung Wah Committee for what it was—a body of responsible men who had a financial stake in the welfare of Hong Kong and were the recognized leaders of the Chinese community. Hence, until other bodies were officially created by Government, the Tung Wah was a useful power structure to relate to the Chinese. And in spite of popular criticism, Government's trust in the institution and its Directors was not misplaced.
Tung Wah Hospital played a significant part in the history of the changing relationship between the foreign and Chinese community in Hong Kong. Social, political, economic, and ideational factors were all important in this inter-relationship. No adequate study has yet been published of this important aspect of Hong Kong history. In such a study, the Tung Wah Hospital would play a major role.
Hong Kong.
2nd October, 1976.
CARL T. SMITH
280
NOTES AND QUERIES
+
The attempt to check emigration once more brings the Com- mittee of Tung Wah prominently and unpleasantly to the fore as busy mischief mongers. We have, time after time, exposed the pretensions of this body and have endeavoured to impress upon the Government the impolicy of recognizing the members of the Hospital Committee as such in any matters unconnected with the institution. Here we have an irresponsible body arrogating to itself all sorts of functions through the exercise of which it can render itself formidable alike to foreigners and natives. The latter, indeed, are almost completely under its thumb, and few of them would dream of resisting its mandates. If the members of this Committee are allowed much longer to continue their aggressive career, no merchant, foreign of native, will be safe from interference. It is high time steps were taken to crush the pretensions of that Committee, and we trust the Governor will adopt decisive measures in that direction. If his predecessors had uniformly declined to discuss any matters not connected with the Hospital with this meddlesome Committee, the evil would not have grown to its present height.
It was easy to criticize and fulminate; it was not so easy to formu- late the bridge of communication between two alien communities. Successive Governors recognized the Tung Wah Committee for what it was a body of responsible men who had a financial stake in the welfare of Hong Kong and were the recognized leaders of the Chinese community. Hence, until other bodies were officially created by Government, the Tung Wah was a useful power structure to relate to the Chinese. And in spite of popular criticism, Govern- ment's trust in the institution and its Directors was not misplaced.
Tung Wah Hospital played a significant part in the history of the changing relationship between the foreign and Chinese com- munity in Hong Kong, Social, political economic and ideational factors were all important in this inter relationship. No adequate study has yet been published of this important aspect of Hong Kong history. In such a study the Tung Wah Hospital would play a major role.
Hong Kong.
2nd October, 1976.
CARL T. SMITH
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.