UNWELCOME REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 65, 17 November 1913, Page 4

UNWELCOME REFUGEES IN HONG KONG.

The Government of Hong Kong is' seriously concerned over the question of the great influx of Chinese into the colony. Over 80,000 refugees from Canton swarmed down upon the place,' and the thought of such a large.and sudden increase in the population lias j given rise to rather sombre reflections. Of course, many of the newcomers will find their way back to Canton when the present trouble has suh-j sided, hut many will remain, and among these will he found a large proportion of undesirables. It was so in 1911, and the authorities expect that it will he so this time. The effect upon house rents of the influx of 1911 was considerable, and it is feared that a further increase will now be imposed, which will place an undue burden upon many who already find it no easy matter to make ends meet. Another matter which is engaging the attention of the authorities is the fear of an ontehreak of plague. The medical and sanitary reports show that last year’s severe epidemic of plague has been traced directly to the influx of Chinese during 1911 and to the overcrowding of native dwellings which I followed. Human over-crowding leads j to more waste food and refuse in and 'near the houses, and, as a result, to an increase in the number of va:s, which act as disease carriers. '