Sessional_Paper_1901 — Page 918

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Q.-If we got registration, are you in favour of making it penal for a master to employ unregistered coolies? Of course, we would make it penal for the coolies them- selves to go into employ without first being registered. Supposing you want to engage a coolie, and you engage an unregistered coolie, the coolie would be liable to punishment for having engaged himself to you and you would also be liable to punish- ment for taking him on.

A.--No; I would not be in favour of that.

Q. Why not?

A.—I don't think it can be properly done.

Q.--Why can't it be done?

A. I think the Chinese would object to it first of all. You would not be able to get any coolies at all.

Q.-They would object to what?

A. To being registered.

Q.-Assuming that we can induce them to be registered, in that case don't you think that the master should be punished if he engages an unregistered coolie?

A. I would not be in favour of it.

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Q. Why not?

A.-Because, why should a man be compelled to take a

registered coolie?

Q-If we are to have registration, it would be for the public benefit, and every man should be compelled to help in the public interest. That is the reason why we want to prevent a man from engaging unregistered coolies except under a penalty. Do you understand now?

A. Yes, but then there should be a sufficient number of suitable coolies. Cer- tainly the Chinese would resist registration. People would be obliged to take registered men and there would perhaps be no suitable coolies offering of the registered coolies.

Q.-But supposing there were coolies offering, why should they not go and re-

gister?

A. Of course they would all register if you make a law.

Q.-Assume they are registered?

A.-Then, of course, make it penal.

Q.--Then, in that case, you think that the master should be made liable to a pen- alty ?

A. Yes.

Mr Wilcox.--Unless the masters are rendered liable to penalty as well as the registered coolies, it would be impossible to make registration general. That is the

reason.

Mr. Badeley. What work do your coolies have to perform?

A. They carry my wife, they carry the children, they carry the governess, they clean the house and do all sorts of jobs.

Q.-And do they find that easier work than carrying you up and down to the

office?

A. They are quite a different set. Formerly I used to have eight coolies; now I have only four. I have always kept separate chair coolies for my wife and family.