234
Ma had not reached.
CARL SMITH
There was gathering opposition to the idea of a Chinese monopoly syndicate. Provincial officials viewed it as a step towards centralisation and a curb to their autonomy. Conservative forces were opposed to any scheme which might give more power to the Cantonese compradore element and feared they would combine with foreign speculators. Some of the Chinese capitalists behind the scheme were suspect. In addition some of the Chinese officials had vested interests in the cultivation of opium in China. The scheme contemplated phasing out such production.
For all the rumours, speculation and negotiation, the scheme was never realised. Attempts to solve the opium question dragged on for many decades.
With the scheme's failure, Ho A-mei lost a chance to become a national figure. The stage of his future activities was to remain the Hongkong-Canton area.
MOVES TO BRIDGE GAP BETWEEN THE RULER AND RULED
He was ambitious
Ho A-mei was a public figure by nature and enjoyed being under the spotlight of public attention. By ability he was innovative, energetic and determined. By education he had an excellent command of English. And by financial interest, his fortunes were linked with the business affairs of the wealthy Li Sing family of Hongkong.
His public activity was in a period when the Chinese were coming to an awareness of their importance for the progress of Hong-kong. This gave them a new sense of dignity and a desire to participate more fully in the total life of the community.
According to Ho A-mei things were different in the old days. In a speech he delivered in 1883, he said: "In times gone by the mutual intercourse between Chinese and foreigners was of such a nature as to render communication between those who were looked down upon as being the lower classes of the Chinese, and
234
Ma had not reached.
CARL SMITH
There was gathering opposition to the idea of a Chinese mono- poly syndicate. Provincial officials viewed it as a step towards centralisation and a curb to their autonomy. Conservative forces were opposed to any scheme which might give more power to the Cantonese compradore element and feared they would combine with foreign speculators. Some of the Chinese capitalists behind the scheme were suspect. In addition some of the Chinese officials had vested interests in the cultivation of opium in China. The scheme contemplated phasing out such production.
For all the rumours, speculation and negotiation, the scheme was never realised. Attempts to solve the opium question dragged on for many decades.
With the scheme's failure, Ho A-mei lost a chance to become a national figure. The stage of his future activities was to remain the Hongkong-Canton area.
MOVES TO BRIDGE GAP BETWEEN THE RULER AND RULED
he was ambitious
Ho A-mei was a public figure by nature and enjoyed being under the spotlight of public attention. By abili- ty he was innovative, energetic and determined. By education be had an excellent command of English. And by financial interest, his fortunes were linked with the business affairs of the wealthy Li Sing family of Hongkong.
His public activity was in a period when the Chinese were com- ing to an awareness of their importance for the progress of Hong- kong. This gave them a new sense of dignity and a desire to partici- pate more fully in the total life of the community.
According to Ho A-mei things were different in the old days. In a speech he delivered in 1883, he said: "In times gone by the mutual intercourse between Chinese and foreigners was of such a nature as to render communication between those who were looked down upon as being the lower classes of the Chinese, and
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