243
After this complication was dealt with, a vote was called on Francis' amendment. Only the proposer and seconder voted for it. Then the original resolution was put to the meeting. To this there was one additional opposition vote; all others voted for it.
At this point, Ng Choy, speaking for the Chinese, called out: "The Chinese cannot hear what is going on.” To which the chairman replied: "Why do they not come forward? We must go on with the meeting,” ignoring the fact that there was no room for anyone to come forward.
Ng Choy then asked for the resolution to be put again. Again he was rebuffed, the chairman replying: "I cannot put up a resolution which has been carried; we must go on with the meeting."
"It is not fair," protested Ng, "the Chinese do not understand what is going on.” To which Lowcock, a member of the Legislative Council replied: “We cannot help it. I wish every Chinaman understood what was being said, but we cannot speak Chinese.”
With this the Chinese walked off the field.
After their departure, Forbes proposed a resolution hitting more directly at the Governor's administration, stating: "What is needed is firm and unfettered administration. Flogging in public is the only means of deterrent. It should be reinstated.'
**
Granville Sharp seconded the motion with a rambling, pompous and involuted speech. He thought the Chinese who had been present were not true representatives of their community. He said: "I am able most thoroughly and heartily to protest against this party character being thrown into this loyal meeting. Gentlemen, I don't know of anyone in Hongkong who has had more to do with intelligent Chinese merchants than I up to within this day last month. I am able most thoroughly to say that resolution which was first proposed and the resolution which is now before you, have the entire and full concurrence of the most respectable and intelligent members of the Chinese community. It is quite right that in undertaking any inquiry of this kind we should guard against selfish motives.”
243
After this complication was dealt with, a vote was called on Francis' amendment. Only the proposer and seconder voted for it. Then the original resolution was put to the meeting. To this there was one additional opposition vote; all others voted for it.
At this point, Ng Choy, speaking for the Chinese, called out: "The Chinese cannot hear what is going on.” To which the chair- man replied: "Why do they not come forward? We must go on with the meeting,” ignoring the fact that there was no room for anyone to come forward.
Ng Choy then asked for the resolution to be put again. Again he was rebuffed, the chairman replying: "I cannot put up a resolution which has been carried; we must go on with the meeting."
"It is not fair," protested Ng, "the Chinese do not understand what is going on.” To which Lowcock, a member of the Legislative Council replied: “We cannot help it. I wish every Chinaman un- derstood what was being said, but we cannot speak Chinese.”
With this the Chinese walked off the field.
After their departure, Forbes proposed a resolution hitting more directly at the Governor's administration, stating: "What is needed is firm and unfettered administration. Flogging in public is the only means of deterrent. It should be reinstated.'
**
Granville Sharp seconded the motion with a rambling, pomp- ous and involuted speech. He thought the Chinese who had been present were not true representatives of their community. He said: "I am able most thoroughly and heartily to protest against this party character being thrown into this loyal meeting. Gentlemen, I don't know of anyone in Hongkong who has had more to do with intelligent Chinese merchants than I up to within this day last month. I am able most thoroughly to say that resolution which was first proposed and the resolution which is now before you, have the entire and full concurrence of the most respectable and intelligent members of the Chinese community. It is quite right that in undertaking any inquiry of this kind we should guard against selfish motives.”
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