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In spite of Ho A-mei's plea for an open airing of views, no speaker succeeded Ho Tung. Apparently they felt their sentiments had been adequately expressed. When the Chairman, Ho A-mei, stated that inasmuch as there were too many present for all to sign the petition at that time, he would call for a hand vote. The account of the meeting stated “everybody in the room held up a hand." The Chinese appeared to be no longer divided on the issue, unanimity prevailed.
The meeting was another important step in the struggle for equal treatment by Chinese living under a colonial administration.
WHEN THE PRESS DISAPPROVED OF PROTESTS
Several issues were raised by the English language press in Hongkong in its comment on the speeches made by Ho A-mei and Ho Tung at a public meeting to protest against the light and pass regulations. The meeting was held at the Tung Wah Hospital in December 1895.
Topics discussed as a result of the meeting were the effects of an English language education on the Chinese, the necessity of using a firm hand in dealing with protests, the principle of freedom of speech and a new look at the relation between the Government and the Chinese population of Hongkong.
In discussing English language education the editor of the China Mail did not miss his chance to downgrade the Chinese. He informed his readers that "one of the stock arguments against teaching the English language to Asiatics is that it is so very apt to make them lose their heads."
To make his point he cited the old adage: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. He claimed: “The Chinese have already so much faith in themselves and all their ways, that when they do begin to learn any new thing, they often too confidently begin to run before they know how to walk. Sometimes even running is not good enough, and they try to fly. This is especially amusing when they try their 'prentice hand at speechifying, airing their views before
136
In spite of Ho A-mei's plea for an open airing of views, no speaker succeeded Ho Tung. Apparently they felt their sentiments had been adequately expressed. When the Chairman, Ho A-mei, stated that inasmuch as there were too many present for all to sign the petition at that time, he would call for a hand vote. The ac- count of the meeting stated “everybody in the room held up a hand." The Chinese appeared to be no longer divided on the issue, unanimity prevailed.
The meeting was another important step in the struggle for equal treatment by Chinese living under a colonial administra- tion.
WHEN THE PRESS DISAPPROVED OF PROTESTS
Several issues were raised by the English language press in Hongkong in its comment on the speeches made by Ho A-mei and Ho Tung at a public meeting to protest against the light and pass regulations. The meeting was held at the Tung Wah Hospital in December 1895.
Topics discussed as a result of the meeting were the effects of an English language education on the Chinese, the necessity of using a firm hand in dealing with protests, the principle of freedom of speech and a new look at the relation between the Government and the Chinese population of Hongkong.
In discussing English language education the editor of the China Mail did not miss his chance to downgrade the Chinese. He informed his readers that "one of the stock arguments against teaching the English language to Asiatics is that it is so very apt to make them lose their heads."
To make his point he cited the old-adage: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. He claimed: “The Chinese have already so much faith in themselves and all their ways, that when they do begin to learn any new thing, they often too confidently begin to run before they know how to walk. Sometimes even running is not good enough, and they try to fly. This is especially amusing when they try their 'prentice hand at speechifying, airing their views before
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