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His EXCELLENCy--I am very glad to receive from the hon. member all these assurances, which I am sure need not have been given. The unfor- tunate expression of the Captain Superinten- dent of Police was immediately' withdrawn, and as it was withdrawn you must make full allow ance for the difficulty of his position. He has been working night and day and is responsible for law and order all over the place, and it only natural he should feel rather strongly upon this matter.
As for the power of the Government, I think it is quite strong enough and ready enough to meet any difficulty which might arise. At least I trust so. If not, we shall take further measures. If this. which I cannot but consider is a weak concession, were made it would make matters, worse. It would be handing over the rule of the colony to mob rule-to those head coolies, and I certainly do not wish it ever to be said, while I am here or after I have left, that I have handed over this colony to mob ruls either from fear, favour. affection, or ill-will.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
ascertain what view His Excellency the Go! vernor. would be likely to take of snoh a proposal, and a member of the Committee went to ascert tain whether His Excellerey could then be interviwed. Unfortunately the Governor at the time was anoat and it was impossible to say when he would return. The Committee there fore decided that they would wait upon the Colonial Secretary, who was able to see them.
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April 8, 1895.
which fell from the Captain Superintendent of Police as they were promptly withdrawn; but they cannot refrain from expressing surprise and regret at the evident determination of the officers of the Government to prejudge and not even to calmly debate the whole question.
The subject of the registration of land- owners or tenants is one upon which there may very properly be a difference of opinion. At the interview with Mr. Lockhart the Com but in view of the fact that we had the expressed mittes briefly related to him what had taken conviction of the Chinese deputation that by the place, and mentioned that if the registration of registration of landlords instead of the head landlords was resorted to the coolies would pro-coolies the present strike would be at an end, bably be satisfied. Mr. Lockhart, very natural- the Committee consider that it was fully justi ly, did not feel at liberty to express any opinion filed in strongly recommending the measure. as to what view His Excellency might take of The Government had legislated practically that the matter, but he courteously promised to see registration should take place either by the the Governor the same evening, and communicate tenant or by the landlord; therefore they had in to him what the Committee had said. The effect conceded what the Chinese deputation Committee intimated that they would not leave required, for it was perfectly competent for their offices until 630 p.m. and would be at landlord to register in default of the tenant His Excellency's disposal.
appearing, and yet he would comply with the The Chinese deputation were meanwhile law, and the full benefits of the Health Mr. F. H. MAY-Before the gentlemen leave awaiting in the City Hall the return of the Com-Ordinance and the enforcement of by-laws -I have already withdrawn the remark I made
mittee and they were informed what bad taken thereunder would be obtained. I wish to apologise to the gentlemen if I place. The Committee enquired; as time was of have in any way hurt their feelings. I can only the most urgent importance whether they did say that my every endeavour is to do the best I not think that they could manage to bring in ean for the colony, and I sincerely believe the anence to bear on the coolies, and persuade best thing for the colony in its present emergency them to return to work at once. They stated is to see this strike out, however great the incon-that it was very doubtful, but they thought venience. It may entail the loss of a few hun- that if the members of the Committee, who dred thousand dollars, but it will be the cheapest represented very important interests in the thing in the end.
colony, were to give their personal guarantee, or the guarantee of their firms whichever it might be, that there was no intention of im- posing a poll tax or registration fee, it might be possible to persuade the coolies to be satisfied and to return to work. A member of the. Chi. nese deputation, in consultation with others, ex- pressed a desire to know from the Committee what their views were as to substituting the land- lord for registration instead of the tenant as pro- posed. The Committee, in view of the fact that the Chinese deputation, many of whom were import ant landlords, had expressed a willingness to be registered in place of the tenant in order to bridge the present difficulty, saw no reason to object to the transposition, especially as the Government in the Ordinance recently passed provide for his (the landlord's) registration in default of the tenant.
The deputation then withdrew,
THE COMMITTEE REVIĘW THEIR POSITION. To the Editor of the Daily Press. SIR,-A members of the Committee ap- pointed by the meeting held at the City Hall on Thursday, the 28th ult, to consider what should be done in the present labour crisis, we beg to request that you will publish the following statement of what we have done in the interval and of what has taken place.
us
what
We held immediately after the public meeting a meeting of the Committee to consider what steps we should take, and we unanimously decided that our first efforts should be in the direction of obtaining information as to what the griev- ances of the coolies really were. With that object we summoned at once the compradores of the leading firms to coufer with us and on their The Chinese deputation then asked the Com- advice we awaited the result of the meeting they mittee if they would embody their views upon were to hold themselves the same evening. We the subject of the laudlord being registered in understand that this meeting continued until 10 their guarantee, to which the Committee as- p.m., and the following morning we were in- sented. This guarantee was then drawn up in formed that they would meet us at 3 p.m., to English in the terms which have appeared in the gether with representatives of other influential public papers. The deputation thereupon in- native firms, and communicate to us their views. | formed the Committee that they would translate We accordingly met them at 3 pm. on Saturday it into Chinese and announce it for the informa- at the Chamber of Commerce Room and enquired tion of the coolies, and they hoped that it might whether they could inform
the have the desired effect. They mentioned that greivances of the coolies were if any, and they felt much anxiety on the subject, as their own what they suggested should be done under losses consequent upon the strike were very severe. the circumstances. They replied that the The Committee thereupon took leave of the de- great apprehension of the coolies was that putation, who, they have subsequently learned, the proposal to register really concealed be- arranged to have the substance of this guarantee hind it an intention of the Government ultimately circulated in Chinese. Later in the evening the to impose a poll tax. We pointed out in the Chairman received a letter from the Colonial strongest way possible in rejoinder that the idea | Secretary dated at 7.30 pm., a copy of which is of a poll tax was perfectly preposterous, and was attached (marked A). entirely contrary to the general principle of British Colonial Government. His Excellency the Governor had already himself stated in Coun- oil that such an idea was out of the question. We thereupon asked them if they had any other grievances, and their reply was that although they had not communicated with them the Chi- nese deputation understood that the coolies were afraid that if they were registered they would hereafter be treated in a similar manner to that to which the cargo-boat men had been subjected; for, although only a nominal fee had been
The Committee accordingly waited upon His obarged at the commencement, it was afterwards very considerably increased. The same had been Excellency at Government House, accompanied, done with the 'rickaha men, and they also in by the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, who, in view of his stanced the brothels, which are now unregis knowledge of the Chinese, would be able to assist tered, and it seemed anomalous to them that in the deliberations. H.E, was attended by the honest free ·labour should be taxed, and thus Colonial Secretary and the Captain-Superinten be put below those who earned their liveli-dent of Police. The Chairman of the Committee, hood by vice. They added that although Mr. Mackintosh, Dr. Ho Kai, and Mr. Dennys they were unable to communicate with the all explained to HE. and the officers with him Boolie house keepers they were under the what had taken place, and, as reporters were impression that if the landlord could be sub-present, a detailed statement of what passed on stituted for the tenant as the person to register both sides will doubtless be published. The under the Ordinance, the coolies would probably Committee consider that they will best consult return to their work and business be resumed. their own dignity and Welf-respect if they pass "At this stage it became necessary for us to over without comment some of the remarks
Being late, about 8.05 pen., no action could then be taken, but the letter was circulated this forenoon and a meeting of the Committee was called for 11.45 a.m to consider what should be done in view of His Excellency's decision.
At 11.05 a.m. another letter was received from the Colonial Secretary by the Chairman, a copy of which is attached (marked B).. This letter was also submitted to the Committee at their meeting, and it was decided to ask His Excel- lency for an interview, which was arranged to take plans at 2 30 p.m.
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The highly coloured picture drawn by the Captain Superintendent of Police of the great disabilities that would be incurred, particularly by Earopen landlords, can be dismissed at once, for it is perfectly possible to obtain from the Chinese tenant securities that shall amply cover the pains and penalties that are provided by the law. The Committee may state that in their daily business in this colony they incur risks (with Chinese) that are far greater than are provided by this legislation.
It will be observed in the report of what was said by the hon. the Colonial Secretary that he took some exception to the manner in which the Committee's guarantee was trauslated and its publication, in face of His Excelleney's determination already expressed by letter not to soquiesce in their proposal. We think. however, that what passed will make it perfectly clear to him and the public that no importance can be st- tached to these incidents, as the guarantee was given in English more than two hours before His Excellenoy's letter was received, and with re- ference to the translation, though the Committee can accept no responsibility therefor, they are informed that it was a fair one, and not open to the criticism passed on it by the Colonial Secretary,
What we have already written appears to be sufficient to convey to the public, and those who appointed us at the public meeting, a fair idea of all that has taken place up to the present time, and we leave the subject at this stage.
We propose calling another public meeting on Monday, the 1st April, at 11 a.m., and we trust that this grave subject will be calmly and exhaustively discussed.
Apologising for the length of this letter. which the importance of the subject rendered ubavoidable. We are, sir, your obedient sør- vants,
THE COMMITTEE
Hongkong, 30th March, 1895.
(Enclosure A).
Hongkong, 7. 30 p.m.
Government House, My dear Keswick.-I have just seer His Excellency the Governor, who directs me to state, for the information of the Committee, that he is averse to making any concession whatever, and does not view_favourably the proposal you have submitted.Yours very truly,"
(Signed) J. H. STEWART LOCKHART. P.S.-The Captain Superintendent of Police reporta, that in his opinion the strike is practi- cally over.
(Signed) J, H. 8. L. (Enclosure B.)
30th March, 1895. Dear Keswick,-Will you kindly ask Mr. Ho Tung to let me have a list of the Chinese gentle. men who met the Committee yesterday. I have just seen a Chinese notice which purports to have been issued by the Committee. It contains a state- ment calculated to mislead the coolies. It statòs that the Committee are certain that the Gover- Bor will grant the request to allow land ownerk to register instead of head coolies. From my letter to you last night you will know that the Governor is not prepared to grant this request, and you will remember at our meeting yesterday I said no notice should be issued until the Gover
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