Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 784

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Q.-I think you expressed the opinion that the Chinese are very backward in coming forward to prosecute, or maintain their rights?

A.-I think they have a feeling of that description. It is merely my opinion.

Q.--It is a very correct opinion as far as I know. Do you know that another characteristic of the Chinese is that they are very afraid to do anything for the Govern- ment here in case they offend the officials, or men in high position in Canton or the Empire of China ?

A.-I believe that the feeling exists. I have heard it spoken of before.

Q.-You have associated a good deal with the Chinese during your residence here?

A.—I have known a great many in business, and very frequently I have taken an opportunity of talking to them on political and social matters, and I have taken rather an interest in ascertaining their views on these things.

Q.--Do you know as a matter of fact that the Chinese require this Ordinance to protect them, want the Government to give them status in order to protect them from interference or from any evil consequences which might fall upon them in China on account of their discharging this important duty in Hongkong? The Members of the Committee of the Society having to deal with kidnappers here of course necessarily make a great many enemies. They are afraid, when they go to China, that they will have no protection from the officials there, and that is one of the chief reasons why they want the Government to give them a Governmental status in order to show to the officials in Canton that they are acting bond fide. Have you heard that?

A.--I did not know that.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-How do you view that phase of the question?

A.-I should say that it might protect them from their own people when they get to their own country, but whether it is expedient to do so, I doubt.

Q.-I do not quite understand you. You think it is not expedient?

A.—I do not know whether it would be. That is a question which requires think- ing out on general grounds of policy and I am not prepared to answer the question at the moment.

Q.--If it is likely to arise, what has just been suggested, namely, that the Chinese Officials in Canton and elsewhere may interfere with the members of the Pó Léung Kuk Committee for carrying out these functions here, would it not be better that the Colonial Government of Hongkong should carry out those Police functions through the properly constituted channel of the Police Force, and if the Force at present is not sufficient, to get more Police ?

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A.—I am entirely of opinion that it should be done by the Police upon general grounds. I think it would be far better to have the whole thing detected by the Police. Q.—You object to the Pó Leung Kuk obtaining this legal status, having police under them, because you think it is possible for them to abuse the power conferred upon them?

A.—Without publicity, yes.

Honourable Ho KAI.-Now I come to your main objection; your main objection is that their proceedings are not public?

A.-My main objection is that.

Q.-Suppose there, is a clause in the Ordinance making their proceedings as public as possible, what would your objection then be ?

A.-If their proceedings were public...