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Q.-Have you ever known a case where a woman was kept in the Home who wished to leave the Colony or wished to go back to China?
A.--There might have been cases where a woman wished to leave the Colony, but the Committee would find out whether her story is true; and if true, they will leave it to the Registrar General to do what he likes.
Honourable Ho KAI.-Up to the present the Committee of the Pó Leung Kuk simply carry out the orders of the Registrar General?
A.--They make recommendations and it is for the Registrar General to act upon them or not, as he chooses.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--You think if this Ordinance is passed, or if this Ordinance is enacted, that the cases which are entrusted to the Pó Léung Kuk should be decided absolutely by the majority of the members of the Committee?
A.-Yes; of the permanent Board.
Q.--Well, there is a proposed.permanent Board and an elective Committee?
A.--The elective Committee are simply the servants of the permanent Board. They cannot take any responsibility on themselves.
Q.--The elective Committee?
A.-No, in important matters they must take the opinion of the permanent Board. In any case they would have to consult the Registrar General.
Q.-Which are to be the voting members?
A. The permanent Board.
The CHAIRMAN. It is stated in the Ordinance that they may depute part of their powers to an elective Committee.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Supposing that the majority of the permanent Board decide to deal with a case differently from the way in which the Registrar General has voted, how will the matter rest then?
A.-The Registrar General must be bound by the decision of the majority.
Q.--And the case will be dealt with as the majority of the Pó Leung Kuk wishes? A. Certainly.
Hon. C. P. CHATER.-That is not the case at the present moment?
A.--No.
Q.-What is the state of affairs now?
A. The present Committee merely find out all they can about these girls and then make a report to the Registrar General. If they make any recommendations, it is for him to act or not upon them.
Q.-You would prefer that the majority of the Board should decide what is to be done with any girl, whether the Registrar General is opposed to it or not?
A.--Yes.
The CHAIRMAN.Why would you prefer it?
A.-Because we might at some future time have a Registrar General who did not get along well with the Chinese.
Q.--Have you ever had any difficulty in the past? Have any of the Registrar Generals ever had any differences with the Pó Leung Kuk with regard to the girls?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q.-As a matter of fact have they worked harmoniously?
A.--Yes.
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