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CORRESPONDENCE.
[We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]
THE STRAITS GOVERNMENT AND IMMIGRATION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY PRESS.
26th July. SIR,-Clanse No. 33 of the projected Straits immigration laws, recently submitted to the Council, is something entirely novel in the way of protective legislation, and would certainly sppear to set the pace for other nations; for not only does it provide for the absolute prohibition of Asiatic immigration between Singapore and other British ports under anything except the British flag, but immigration in foreign bottoms from foreign ports as well.
The Acting Governor, in moving the second reading of the bill remarked that the Americans prohibited trade between American coast ports in foreign ships; but he omitted to state that if the American Government were to pass an act with so wide a scope as this, the British flag would be in a bad way on the Atlantic and the lion would doubtless awake to the conviction that his tail was being badly jammed in the closed door. If the bill were modified to apply between Hongkong and the Straits only, the result would be that foreign ships would load their emigrants at Swatow or Amoy, Hong- kong would lose the business, and the Straits gain nothing.
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Mr.
The objects and reasons advanced for the introduction of the bill are most decidedly "faked," and it is not surprising that Mr. Murray regreted that they were not stronger. They are three in number. The first relates to the lack of control of seaworthiness of foreign vessels, the second to accommodation for coolies, and the last to medical attendance. Burkinshaw. the only member of the Council who opposed the measure, suggested that it might be sufficient to have the coolies medically examined in Hongkong. As this gentlemen did not appear to be very well versed in the modus operandi at this port, it seems strange that neither the Acting Governor, the Attorney General, or the Protector of Chinese, on whose recommendations the bill was drawn, should take the trouble to inform him of the methods under which the business has been conducted from this port for years aud years; namely that the emigration laws of Hongkong are enforced as rigidly against foreign as against British vessels; and that every emigrant ship from bere is required to possess a Passenger Certificate and a local Emigration License as well; that the vessels are surveyed by the Government Marize Surveyor; the accommodation for coolies carefully measured; and all emigrants medically inspected by the Health Officer of the port. If he had been so minded he might have informed Mr. Burkinshaw that not a single coolie can be taken out of Hongkong in excess of the Emigra- tion License, that they are all counted by the Boarding Officer and medically examined by the Health Officer, without whose certificate no emigrant ship can obtain a clearance. He also inspects the medical stores, and the Boarding Officer sees that the provisions conform to the dietary scale. A bond of a thousand pounds must be signed by the Captain, Agent and Broker for the proper treatment of the emigrants on the voyage, and any complaints from Binga- pore would instantly result in the punishment of the parties delinquent. Each and every emigrant is also carefully questioned by the Emigration Officer.
Furthermore, the Acting Governor, if he were at all familiar with the subject, might have in- formed the Honourable Member that very few if any ships except the mail steamers carry doctors, and that these mail steamers carry no emigrants, ➡neither the P. &. O., the French, or German. The Governor says The reasons why the clause has been introduced is this. We are in the neighbourhood of a very serious outbreak of plague. None who has read the Hongkong papera can help feeling thankful that we in this colony have been spared that dreadful scourge, We are endeavoring to save Singapore and Penang," etc., etc., etc.
If he did not know he should have known that foreign vessels are as carefully safeguarded
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
!from carrying the plague as British, and subject to precisely the same regulations; and that so far as the real protection of emigrants is con- corned, the port of embarcation must perforce be the only place where any efficient protection can possibly be applied. How is it possible to protect the coolie from the dangers and dis- comforts incident to the voyage after the ship arrives in Singapore and the voyage is over. If clause 33 should be sanctioned in England, which is very unlikly, no good could possibly come of it, for in any case it could scarcely be made to cover any port except Hongkong; and then the coolies would outer from outside ports just the same. That the Acting Governor has some real reasons may be conceeded, but they seem to be carefully suppressed, and all that we are allowed to gather is that it suits the sent policy of the Straits Government to close the door.
pre-
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"Do not press the question of the cattle trade at present," said the Governor, haven't such plausible objects and reasons to put forward." Wait until our little difficulties in South Africa are settled and then it will be time enough to think of shutting out foreign flags straight through from Hongkong to the Cape, including the Straits, India, and Aden; and then we will show our neighbours what a protective policy means. Mr. Kruger ran his head against our open door and now has reason to regret it. Let foreigners say it was a war of conquest pure and simple, if they like, and that our principles are in our pockets. We have the proud consciousness that we undertook it for the benefit of humanity at large; all nations to be treated alike-anyhow for a time It is not for weak nations like the Transvaal Republic to have advanced ideas regarding protection.-I am, Sir, yours etc..
OPEN DOOR.
GREAT EASTERN AND CALEDO- NIAN GOLD MINING CO., LTD.
An extraordinary meeting of the preference shareholders in the above company was held at noon on the 20th inst. for the purpose of receiv. ing and discussing the proposals of the liquidator, Mr. M. Bennecke, for dealing with the com- pany's assets. Besides Mr. Bennecke there were present Messrs. R. C. Wilcox, E. Georg. K. Edulji, C. E. Osmund, J. Romedios, R. K. Wibel, and Chan Kin- hoi.
On the motion of Mr. GEORG, seconded by Mr. EDULJI. Mr. Wilcox was elected to the chair.
[(July 29, 1901
Mr. GEORG-I quite agree with what Mr. Wilcox says. The legal expenses of collecting the call would amount to a considerable sum, and we might not get anything.
Mr. WiBEL-Will there be any delay about the payment of the dividend?
The CHAIRMAN-There will be very little delay, no longer than is absolutely necessary to get the usual formalities through. Of course, that takes a little time. There would bave to be a further meeting, at which the liquidator would give his final statement, but first of all it would be necessary to get the written consent of the preference shareholders, which would be done in this way: A form would be sent out to them which they would be asked to sign; that should present no difficulties. I think that some one of the members should propose & resolution to the effect that the liquidator's proposal to accept a dividend of the available assets and not make a call should be accepted.
Mr. GEORG-I am quite willing to propose that, in lieu of making à call on ordinary shares. preference shareholders accept the proposal of the liquidator to divide the available assets amongst them.
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Mr. WIBEL Beconded, and the proposal was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN-It will be necessary to have a confirmatory meeting after this.
Mr. GEORG—Another meeting? The CHAIRMAN-I think so. A confirmatory meeting is necessary, and preference share- holders will perhaps be induced to turn out in greater force. We might have the meeting s month hence.
Mr. WIBEL Is it necessary for every bolder of preference shares to sign, or would a majority do?
The CHAIRMAN--The liquidator has been alvised by the solicitors for the company that it is necessary for everyone to sign, otherwise a preference shareholder might get up and say he had not signed. However, I should think that a majority would be sufficient, and it would be very easy to get a majority. This was all the business.
SUPREME COURT.
Monday, 22nd July.
IN CRIMINAL Jurisdiction (ŠprQIAL SESSIONS).
CHIEF JUSTICE).
ALLEGED EXTENSIVE FRAUDS.
Li Ying, an ex-lakong, was charged on no less than fourteen counts with obtaining money by false pretences and with uttering and pub- lishing a forged and counterfeited writing with intent to defraud.
The CHAIRMAN introduced Mr. Bennecke, BEFORE HIS HONOUR A. G. WISE (ACTING who made the following statement:-The assets of the company amount to $12,500, There is an outstanding call on ordinary shares of $1, which on 140,000 shares will amount to $140,000. Now, the question is-will the pre forence shareholders be satisfied to divide amongst them the $12,500 cash, which would give a dividend of about 23 or 25 couts per share, or do they wish to make the outstanding call of $1 on the ordinary shares? In my opinion it will take two or three years to get the money in. How much you would get I cannot say, but it is my firm belief that in the end there would be nothing at all to divide. I leave it to you to decide which course you will take.
Mr. J. J. Francis, K.C. (instructed by Mr. J. F. Reece), represented the prisoner, and for the Crown Mr. F. B. L. Bowley, Crown solici. tor, instructed the Hon, H. E. Pollock, K.O., Acting_Attorney-General.
Mr. Francis-I must ask your Lordship for an adjournment, as the case is an extremely complicated one. Information was only filed on Saturday, and I was not instructed till Batur. day afternoon. It is therefore impossible for me do justice to my client, and I ask your Lordship to adjourn the case for at least a fortnight.
don't desire You
However, I am
The CHAIRMAN-You have heard what the liquidator has said. The assets are not very large, it is true, but they would not be very much helped by making a call, because it would be difficult to collect the call, as certain of the shareholders are not easy to get at, and it would His Lordship-I suppose be very difficult also to collect the call from any
an adjournment, Mr. Pollock P that could be got at. In addition to that, there Mr. Pollock-No, my Lord. is another consideration. Most of the pre-informed that the Chinese official who is to give ference shareholders are also ordinary share-evidence in the case (whom I mentioned to your holders, and it would be like passing the money Lordship before) can come back here in a fort- from one pocket into another; a good deal of it, night's time, and as I am aware that Mr. however, would leak. The money that the Francis has had very short notice, I have no ordinary shareholders who are also preference objection to the adjournment asked for. Por shareholders would have to pay would probably haps your Lordship will kindly fix to-morrow undergo considerable reduction before it came fortnight? back to their other pocket. Consequently, I His Lordship—I think you are entitled to should not recommend our making the call. I an adjournment, Mr. Francis. The cam is think the best plan will be to accept the certainly a complicated one. I have foșud it liquidator's proposal to offer a dividend out of ❘ so. the balance remaining. That would have to consent of the other shareholders, which could be done, I believe, by an appeal for the general be got by circular.
Mr. Francis-May I take the liberty of mg- General, that this is a proper case for a special gesting, for the consideration of the Attorney.
jury?
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