176
of those whose ideas of the system may be vague, we may explain that the Kinder- garten School carries out LOCKE's idea that all the plays and diversions of children should be directed towards good and useful habits, or else they will introduce evil ones.' It is frequently spoken of as the FROEBEL system, for it was FROEBEL who reduced these ideas to a system. Our correspondent spoke of the system as one for developing the faculties through play. It is now- adays admitted to be the most attractive and philosophical form of infant develop. ment the world bas ever seen. Children are taught not what to think, but how to think. Much care is given to the training of the senses, especially those of sight, sound and touch. Intuition is recognised as the true basis of knowledge, and those who have seen the system properly taught will endorse FROEBEL's dictum that some- thing is done for children which even the ideal mother in the ideal family could not do. Play, the child's chief employment, is so organised for them as to draw out their capacities of feeling and thinking and even of inventing and creating, and it is all done in such a way that young children from the age of three upwards enter jo these playful occupations with the keenest delight, and obviously to their lasting benefit. The suggestion that
อ
school of this character should be established at the Peak is, we know, generally endorsed by parents living in that district, and we trust the suggestion which has been put forward will receive the prompt and favourable consideration of the Government.
THE POLICING OF THE NEW TERRITORY.
(Daily Press, August 25th.)
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
ought to be. As a matter of fact, we have a great regard for the intelligence, tact, and discrimination of the body as a whole. Our objection is that the force has not the numerical strength to be effective. The policy of drawing men from the outlying districts into the Central may be justified when the number of men at disposal is limited. That is perhaps making the most of the force which is available, but there can be no justification for allowing the force to fall beneath the requirements of the Colony. and The large number of 1obberies burglaries which take place without any of the property being recovered tells its own tale. It emphasises the need for a
and larger better organised detective service. The present intelligence men are capable and zealous, but it is impossible for them to cope with the demands upon their service. The city is, no doubt, as well policed as can be expected, but the same cannot be said of the New Territories with their grow ing population. True, there is no occasion for maintaining the large force which was necessary when the Territories were taken over, as the bad elements have been taught to some extent to respect law and order and to respect those who stand for their preser- vation, but recent events, having focussed public attention on the subject, show that there is need for a more effective force- that, in other words, the present force is inadequate. It is not for us to say how many Indiau or Chinese police is the equivalent of one European, but there can be little doubt that the European creates a feeling which is lacking in the case of the others. He makes himself respected as the embodiment of the law and, as is well-known, attacks on white officers are exceedingly rare. Therefore, there is only one conclu- sion that more European police are needed. Withdrawing them has been followed by Is Hongkong and its dependencies ade-outbursts of lawlessness, and the remedy quately policed? That is the question of the seems obvious. Some well-meaning critics hour. The tragedy in the New Territory have suggested mounted police, as in South -last week has aroused the community to a Africa, but unfortunately the suggestion consideration of the question, and not un- indicates a lack of knowledge of the condi naturally much criticism of the present tions in the New Territory. There, unlike arrangements and the policy which has South Africa with its vast distances and created them is heard. When retrenchment sparse population, there is a countryside is, as it were, so much in the air, and with few roads and a large population. proposals are being discussed with a view to
Who could ride across paddy fields? When the reduction of Government staffs, including the officer pursuing criminals has to leave the police force, it is singularly unfortunate the road what is to happen to his horse? that this tragic occurrence should have Were proper roads constructed there might taken place, inasmuch 88 it offers a
be the possibility of introducing one or two strong argument against further reduc-mounted men, but until then they would be tions in the police in the New Territory.useless-that is, as mounted constabulary. It is common knowledge that the police force has not kept pace with the growth of the Colony. While the population bas increased, the force has not been augmented This is sought to he explained by the theory. that the populace have become more peace able and law-abiding. Granted. But the opportunities and facilities for bad charac- ters to find their way here from the mainland have not become less, and knowing that so many undesirables are daily adding to the number of petty thieves and determined criminals within our own borders, certainly seems questionable judgment to sanction a decrease of that body entrusted with the maintenance of good order and government. Retrenchment may be neces sary in several departments, economies might very well be effected in more than one, but efficiency should be the chief con. sideration. Economy which produces in- efficiency carries its own condemnation, and, while not wishing to join in an outery merely because it seems popular, we must confess to a feeling that all is not well with our local constabulary. We do not suggest that its personnel is anything other than it
This might be a good time to urge the Gov- ernment to lose no time in starting the con- struction of the long contemplated trunk road from Castle Peak through Pingshan, Antau to Sheungshui, and thence linking up to the highway at Taipo. This would help to develop the Territory, and would prove of especial value in view of the early opening of the railway. Its advantage in policing the district is obvious, and with the border well guarded crime in the New Territory would sink to the small place which it undoubtedly has among its peaceful residents.
CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
IN CHINA.
(Daily Press, August 26th.) The first step toward constitutional govern- ment in China is being taken. Arrange- ments for the election of representatives to the new provincial governments have been completed, and Kwangtung, with its pro- gressive capital, Canton, has had the honour of showing the way to the remainder of the Empire. The elections in the adjacent pro- vince have taken place this week, and
(August 30, 1909,
already the names of the successful candi dates have been published in the Chinese Press...
1
Constitutional government for China had long been discussed, but the subject seemed as if it would remain, nothing more than an ideal, or a foolish incongruous fancy, accord- ing to the point of view, when, to the sur- price of the world, the late EMPEROR made a declaration sanctioning the introduction of constitutional government, but stipulating that it should not come into effect for some years, in order to give opportunities for the Chinese to qualify in methods of government The wisdom of the by representation. stipulation will not be questioned, though some difference of opinion may exist as to the extent of the period of probation. It may very well be argued that the best qualification is that which comes from ex- perience, and the occasion for the long delay of ten years is not the necessity nor the expediency which it is claimed to be. How- ever that may be, there is reason to feel glad that such a revolutionary change in China is the outcome not only of peaceful means but the product of the enlightened policy of a ruler whose actions did not always meet with general approval.
It is intended, then, that provincial parlia- ments or councils shall be established, with a view to giving popular representation in the government of the provinces, and that the experience so acquired shall be useful when the Imperial Parliament is brought into being. The new councils, the elections for which are proceeding all over the Empire, continuing from now onwards for two months, will be entrusted with the administration of laws, and all matters | which come within the purview of pro- The Viceroy of the vincial government. province, or the Governor, will preside over the meetings of the Assembly, but though the appointment of officials will still be vested in the Throne, it is not to be inferred that the Council is without power. Its members will have all the influence which comes from popular election, and standing as the representatives of the people they will be enabled to secure the requisite deference for their wishes which is perhaps aot apparent on the surface. Supposing, for instance, the conduct of an official is
reviewed by the council, who express the opinion that he should be No Viceroy could afford to removed. ignore the finding of the Assembly. He must listen to the voice of the people as made articulate through their representa- tives, and should he resort to unpopular action the Chinese have methods of dealing with an official who outrages public senti- ment in such a fashion.
an
Taking the Kwangtung Province as example: it will elect, or, rather, has elected, ninety-six representatives. Twelve of these will be elected by the Council to form an Executive Council or advisory body, thus following to a degree the Western precedent. But what is perhaps of greatest interest is the fact that China, in this connection, has taken a step in advance of many European countries. China has accepted the principle elected to the Executive Council will receive of payment of members. The representatives salaries during their tenure of that office, while the remaining members of the deliberative assembly will receive only those be defrayed by the district or prefecture expenses entailed by provincial travel, to
which they represent.
Having regard to the illiteracy of the masses, it need occasion no comment that the The professional classes, students, and men basis of election is not manhood sufferage. possessing property valued at five thousand
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.