April 8, 1895.] ✅
Excellency that yesterday afternoon I hired 50 | coolies for Messrs. Siemssen and Co. They did not turn up this morning, and Siemsson and Co. || asked me why. I sent out for the coolies and the answer I got was, “We are going to see what the Governor is going to do now." If a firm attitude had been maintained this strike would have been at an end.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—I would like to make a few remarks with regard to what has been said by the members of the Committee. As the Chairman has informed your Excellency, we met yesterday in the Council Chamber. Your Excellency was not at home, so the deputation was unable to wait upon you. At that meeting the proposal the Committee refer to now was brought forward, namely, that the landlord should be made responsible instead of the head coolie. At that time I pointed out to the Com- mittee that by so doing you practically relieved the coolies of all responsibility, and that amounted to victory for the coolies. If the necessity for registering was not imposed upon them but was imposed in all cases upon the owner, the coolie would have gained the day. I, however, in- formed the deputation that I would convey their views to your Excellency, and I think your Excellency will support we when I say that I did convey to you those views, and I advanced to you all the arguments in favour of the proposal I heard from the Committee-the arguments repeated to-day by the various speakers. Your Excellency having heard the views of the Com- mittee as stated to me directed me to write the following letter to Mr. Keswick. It was written last night and was therefore of a semi-informal nature:-
"Government House,
29th March, 7.30 p.m. "My dear Keswick.-I have just seen His Excellency, who directs me to state for the in- formation of the Committee that he is averse to making any concession whatever and does not. view favourably the proposal you have submitted.
Yours,
* J. H. STEWARt Lockhart. "P.8.—The_Captain Superintendent of Police reports that in his opinion the strike is practically over.”
At the deputation yesterday there was also - mention of a proclamation being issued, and when that suggestion was made I stated clearly to the Committee that I considered it would be inadvis able to issue any proclamation unless some defi- nite change in the law was consented to by your Excellency in the first place and of course ulti- mately by the Legislative Council. I think the Committee will agree that it was clearly stated and equally clearly understood.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-Excuse me one moment I do not think it was clearly understood, as a subsequent note came from Mr. Lockbart stating that it would be undesirable to make any con- orssion. I drew Mr. Mackintosh's attention toit and he did not understand it. I know it was informal.
Mr. MACKINTOSH-I understood it to be a Government proclamation, and not a proclama tion by the Committee.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I remember distinctly making these remarks, and I think I can refresh the memory of Mr. Dodwell.
Mr. DODWELL made a remark which the re- porters could not catch.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
coolies that no registration fees or poll tax would be charged. This is the translation of the Chinese:--
66 FOR INFORMATION. "We, the undersigned merchants, have learnt that you coolies have combined and ceased work through fear that the Government will levy a suredly guarantee that the Government has not poll tax or registration fee. But we can as- the slightest intention of doing so We are certain that his Excellency the Governor will grant our request,” &c.
•
Hon. J. J.KESWICK-Excuse me interrupting. After I received Mr Lookhart's letter this after. noon with reference to the notice I immediately enquired what the expression was that was cal- oulated to mislead the coolies.
The COLONIAL Secretary-I challenge any one to say that the Chinese in this document does not mean what I have represented in this translation-“We are certain that His Excel- lency the Governor will grant our request." have had no desire whatever to quibble over I words in this matter.
20
thick and thin. Gentlemen, that statement received with applause. That same afternoon public meeting was held in the Chamber of Com. merce and, as has been observed by Mr. Lookhart, every member who spoke-as far as the papers are a guide-was in favour of combination→→→ strong combination-these were the words, used by Mr. Mackintosh.
Mr. MACKINTOSH-Certainly.
Dennys that the coolies, also the 'rioksha and HIS EXCELLENCY-And it was stated by Mr chair coolies and the house boys would be strik- ing, too; and every member, with the exception of Mr. Gillies, who is not here present, whose remarks were received with disapproval, was in favour of strong action and combination against these strikers. I am sorry I was out not return till seven o'clock, when I found Mr. on the harbour yesterday afternoon and did Lockhart, who had been waiting here—and he bad waited two hours-to hear my decision. consider the suggestion you made simply a weak had no hesitation in coming to that decision. concession to these men, who have not the alight- Dr. Ho KAI (towards whom the Colonial Se-est claim for consideration or any grievance cretary had turned)-I think Mr. Lockhart is whatever, and I think the suggestion to appealing to me. The word li coming before make qualifies it entirely.
the landlord primarily responsible is-as Mr. May has properly observed--im- Mr. DENNYS-The translation was approved proper, inequitable, illogical, unjust, and could of by the Registrar-General's Office.
never be carried out. I mean to say the issue The COLONIAL SECRETARY—It was not ap-this notification or proclamation—the action proved by the Registrar-General. He never you have taken, although no doubt it was very saw the translation.
well intended. has placed me in considerabla difficulty. I find my position weakened, but I have no intention of departing from it. Ivery much regret indeed that I cannot give a more favourable answer to the representations of the Committee. I am fortified in this position by the knowledge that the Canadian Pacific Railway and the P. and O. Company are strongly adverse to any concession whatevers and I bear from the agent of the C.P.R. that their men were actually coming into work this morning, and on receiving this notification they turned their backs upon the P. and O. and C.P.R. I am very sorry I cannot give you more favourable answer; and I believe if hold out the strike will be over on Monday or Tuesday. If we could get hold of the head men -not Mr. Dennys's clients—who are in hiding in Kowloon, we shall take care they do not còme back to the colony again.
His EXCELLENCY-By whose authority was it issued P
Mr. DENNYS—I do not know.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—It was not cone under official authority. With respect to my letter which I dietated last night-
His EXCELLENCY-Who authorised the pro- clamation that the Government would accede to the guarantees of the Committee ?
Hon. J. J. KESWICK—The Committee never said so. When we left the Colonial Secretary's Office this statement in writing was then given to the deputation in English, a copy of which ap. peared in the papers, and that was, so far as 1 know, about a quarter past five o'clock. I received your letter at East Point about 5 or 10 minutes past eight o'clock. It was timed “7:30." His EXCELLENCY-Why was the notification issued before my letter was received P.
!
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-It was outside our hands altogether. No member whatever of this Com mittee took this action.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I thought the Committee were responsible for this Chinese. The Committee deny all responsibility for this Chinese P
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-The Committee, have not seen the translation. We had nothing to do with the translation.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—I think it is im portant that the Committee should state that clearly, seeing that the names of all their firms are attached to the no ice. I think it is also important to ascertain who is responsible for this notice; because it is certain, I believe, that it bas created a false feeling amongst the labouring Hon. J. J. KESWICK-It was a misunder-classes that they have practically succeeded in standing.
escaping the necessity of registration, and as His Excellency bas stated through me in a letter which I addressed to Mr. Keswick last night there is no intention whatever on the part of the Government to compromise in that direction in any way. held in the City Hall, so far as I can learn from At the meeting the newspaper reports, there was absolutely no grievance on the part of the labourers, To-day no member of the Committee has pointed out a single grievance alleged. It is therefore not to be thought for one moment that the Govern- ment is going to concede to a body of men who have caused great inconvenience and loss to this colony without a shadow of reason or without any grievance whatever. I do not think there is any necessity to say more.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY The point I wish to make was that if any notice was issued it would be misinterpreted and the coolies would be misled and induced to return to work perhaps under false pretences. Well, this morning I had put into my hands a notice in Chinese which pur- ports to be issued by the Committee and which states far more than the Chairman of the Committee informed me the Committee suthorised to be stated in the guarantee which they gave in regard to the registration fee and poll tax. That question was brought up at the Committee meeting yesterday, and I then informed the deputation that the Go- vernment had not only issued 3,000 notices in- forming the coolies that no poil tax or registration fee was to be charged, but also that special men had been sent round to explain orally the con- bents of this notice to the coolies, who are in many instances unable to read; and I said I did not think any good would be done by repeating what had been stated so frequently already. But I mid there would be no objection in stating to the
HJS EXCELLENCY-I am very glad to have heard your views upon this subject. It is a matter of very serious importance, but at the same time I cannot conceal my astonishment at the wonderful change of face which has taken place within the last two days amongst the mercantile community. On Thursday last I stated in the Council Chamber that I had taken up a certain position and did not intend to de- part from it, and that I thought it would be weak and criminal to do so, and that I hoped all the mercantile community would support me through
|
|
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-In the first place I must express the acknowledgment of the Com, mittes to your Excellency for receiving us this afternoon. in coming here in order to invite an expression But 1 express very great regret of your Excellency's views on this subject and to make our recommendation that the landlords should register instead of the tenant, to find there was no moderation in language on the part of gentleman here.
The COLONIAl Secretary-That was with- draws.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-I quite recognise it was withdrawn, but it shows the antagonism which exists. Yesterday when we met that deputation and made the guarantee that there would be no poll tax, I need hardly say it was done with the assurance which I am sure was not mistakeu- given. The strike practically did cease as soon as that the strike would cease immediately it wi the knowledge of that was given, and it was reverted to only this morning in order that they might have the Government notification. ters like this any unnecessary passion should be I think it is a great pity that in serious mat. imported into the discussion. I came here with the desire of discussing in a quiet and calm Excellency thinks it is necessary to hold fi m manner a matter of serious import; but if your and make no concession, I would ask, is the Government fully aware that it is strong enough to quell this strike before it has brought most terrible consequences upon the colony? Has it the power-is the Ordinance ready to put in force to stop this strike? If it has I shall be glad; but I doubt it very much. fully aware of the inadequacy of my words, I have not expressed all I might have or wished to express, but if I have said anything improperly I offer apologies. But I feel strongly this is matter which requires further consideration on the part of the Government. I believe I am ex pressing the opinions of the Committee and opinions of all who attended the meeting of Thursday when I say that there is onl" feeling to strengthen and support the Govern. ment, far from undermining it. For myself
аш
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.