real meaning and vote according to their firm convictions.
241
"And yet when we asked that the resolutions be explained in Chinese, so that we might judge for ourselves and vote conscientiously, it was unceremoniously refused. I leave to the impartial public what to think of this."
He signed his letter "Ho Kwan-sun, Late Haikwan (Customs) Banker, Swatow".
There were few in the community of that day who could be called impartial. The Chinese were only in the first stages of an awareness of their importance for the general welfare of Hongkong. This, in turn, produced a feeling that they should have a voice in matters of general public concern. The foreign community for its part could not believe the Chinese had a fundamental loyalty to the interest of Hongkong. They feared that the Chinese in Hongkong would join forces with corrupt officials in China and block what foreigners considered the proper expansion of commerce and undercut British prestige and power in the East.
This first attempt of Chinese and foreigners to unite in an open meeting on a public issue served to drive the two groups farther apart, at least for a time.
HOW THE CHINESE WERE
KEPT OUT OF THE MEETING
The public meeting called for October 7, 1878, to discuss “public insecurity" was the first held in Hongkong at which there was a large Chinese delegation. From the standpoint of promoting better relations between the various sections of the community it was not a success. Ho A-mei told the Chinese side in the letter he wrote to the Daily Press. In it he related how the Chinese had had no opportunity to express their views.
The Europeans, however, who were able to speak out at the meeting, made it lively. Much of the interchange occurred after the Chinese had left; however, the remarks made point to the reason the Chinese were treated as they were.
real meaning and vote according to their firm convictions.
241
"And yet when we asked that the resolutions be explained in Chinese, so that we might judge for ourselves and vote conscien- tiously, it was unceremoniously refused. I leave to the impartial public what to think of this."
He signed his letter "Ho Kwan-sun, Late Haikwan (Customs) Banker, Swatow".
There were few in the community of that day who could be called impartial. The Chinese were only in the first stages of an awareness of their importance for the general welfare of Hong- kong. This, in turn, produced a feeling that they should have a voice in matters of general public concern. The foreign communi- ty for its part could not believe the Chinese had a fundamental loyalty to the interest of Hongkong. They feared that the Chinese in Hongkong would join forces with corrupt officials in China and block what foreigners considered the proper expansion of com- merce and undercut British prestige and power in the East.
This first attempt of Chinese and foreigners to unite in an open meeting on a public issue served to drive the two groups farther apart, at least for a time.
HOW THE CHINESE WERE
KEPT OUT OF THE MEETING
The public meeting called for October 7, 1878, to discuss “pub- lic insecurity" was the first held in Hongkong at which there was a large Chinese delegation. From the standpoint of promoting better relations between the various sections of the community it was not a success. Ho A-mei told the Chinese side in the letter he wrote to the Daily Press. In it he related how the Chinese had had no opportunity to express their views.
The Europeans, however, who were able to speak out at the meeting, made it lively. Much of the interchange occurred after the Chinese had left; however, the remarks made point to the reason the Chinese were treated as they were.
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