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Q.-You think it would be a good thing to have a permanent Committee of Chinese residents who are well known ?
A.—That is objectionable, I think. I object to that permanent Committee. Q.--Why do you object to the permanent Committee?
A.-Well, take the first man for instance mentioned in the Ordinance, CHAN PAN- Pó. I have no personal objection to him, I think he is a very good man, but, supppose he is dismissed or transferred to somewhere else, how could you have him on the permanent Committee? Is he then to remain as a member of the Committee of the Pó Léung Kuk? Suppose any one of these gentlemen is dismissed from their respective firms for misconduct, would they be on the Committee ?
The CHAIRMAN.-I would say certainly not. Is that your only objection to the permanent Committee?
A.-I think so.
Q.-If that objection were removed, do you think the permanent Committee would be a good thing?
A.--I think so. My idea is that this Committee should offer themselves for re- election once in every three years.
Q.--That members should be at once removed if anything is found against them and that the Committee should be put up again for re-election at the end of every three years?
A. Yes, I think so. If you were to make the appointment once in every year as they have been doing hitherto, I think it would prove a failure, because I think as a matter of fact-I am speaking from my own experience--some of the people are appointed as a matter of honour and not on account of the individual's ability. Suppose I am appointed this year, it is a matter of favour.
Q.-You think the permanent Committee would be an advantage?
A.--Yes, I think so.
Q.-Is it not your opinion that the Committees differ so far as their powers of work are concerned-that some are better than others? One year you get a good Committee and the next year you don't get one as good?
A. Yes, that is why I say have it elected for three years.
Q.--I am talking of the present Committee, as they are elected annually now.
A.-I don't know who they are.
Q.-I mean the present system of electing the Committee annually.
A.-I think it is a bad system.
Q.--You think that if the Committees have two or three years' experience that they will become more able to cope with the evil to meet which the Society has been founded?
A.-Certainly, if they have done their work satisfactorily, I think they will surely be re-elected after three years.
Q-Do you think that a Committee of Chinese gentlemen is well able to be of assistance to the Government in checking kidnapping?
A.--I do not think so.
Q.-You do not think so?
A.--No, they cannot render any help at all. They cannot render any assistance. They simply remain in the Pó Léung Kuk and send their two detectives on board steamers for the purpose of detecting kidnapping. They do nothing of the sort themselves. You cannot expect them to go on board steamers themselves to find kidnappers.
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