Official Acknowledgment Research Articles

Activists on the Fringe: Chinese Intelligentsia in Penang in the Early 20th Century

Activists on the Fringe:Chinese Intelligentsia in Penang in the Early 20th Century Tan Soon Cheng (bio) Abstract From the early days when the Chinese immigrants started to arrive in Penang, until as recently as the first part of the 20th century, the Chinese had participated actively in the economic, social and political development of Penang. Among these pioneer immigrants, there was a group which was small and little noticed, compared to the commercially active traders, planters and laborers. Although not much written about, this group of individuals who contributed significantly to the educational and cultural development of the Chinese community in Penang was remarkably well captured in the book, Nanyang yingshu haixia zhimindi zhilüe [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="01i.gif"/] (Gazetteer of the Nanyang British Straits Settlements), compiled by Song Yunpu [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="02i.gif"/], a Minguo [inline-graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="03i.gif"/] (Republican period) merchant, and published around 1930. This article aims to study this particular group of Chinese in Penang by examining their aspirations and actions, to bring about an awareness of their influence and contribution. Introduction Since Captain Francis Light1 appointed Koh Lay Huan as the first Chinese Kapitan of Penang,2 immigrants from the southeastern provinces of China had been coming to Penang in growing numbers in the early 20th century. Drawn by economic opportunities, they came to clear land, to plant, to mine or to trade.3 To be more precise, from Captain Light's arrival to the year 1930, when the book Nanyang yingshu haixia zhimindi zhilüe (Gazetteer of the Nanyang British Straits Settlements) was published (Song 1930),4 the number of Chinese immigrants in Penang was on a yearly increase (except for the period from 1914 to 1928), reaching two prewar peaks in 1911 and 1929.5 The fact that "the Chinese became the largest racial group of Penang" (Khor 2004: 17)6 was not [End Page 34] perceived without some anxiety. It was at about the same time that the British government passed the Immigration Restriction Ordinance (1928–31) to restrict the entry of adult male Chinese immigrants to Penang, as "it is considered that the entry of such labourers is likely to cause unemployment" (ARSS 1998(9): 698). The anxiety was not with regard to the numbers alone. The British colonial government also stated that "the majority of labourers in the Colony are Chinese and South Indians. The latter are chiefly engaged in agricultural work and on public services, the former in agriculture and every other form of manual labour. Skilled work is almost entirely in the hands of the Chinese" (ARSS 1998 (9): 419).7 One can take this as an official acknowledgment that the Chinese immigrants simply could not be dismissed as unimportant. Yet the British colonial government's attitude toward the Chinese community was one of non-interference. It was only in later years, when the operations and rivalries of the various secret societies associated so closely with the mining and revenue farming activities of the various dialect groups brought so many problems with law and order8 that the British colonial government changed its policy. To manage the Chinese, the British colonial government established the office of the Protector of Chinese in 1877, and started to appoint leaders of the Chinese community as Justices of the Peace (JP), to work as an intermediary between the community and the British government. That in consequence gave the British better control.9 Not only was order maintained, there were some rather unexpected gains as well. It was stated in the 1891 report that after the final settlement of the affairs of the "dangerous" societies, "the Ghi Hin had a balance of over $70,000 after paying all debts, and some little difficulty arose as to the disposal of this large amount." Eventually a donation of $3,000 was given to the Penang Free School, $2,000 was donated to the Pauper Hospital and another $2,000 to the Leper Asylum (ARSS 1998(3): 626). Objective of this Study Among the...

Setting Aside Criminal Convictions in Canada

Expunging a criminal conviction in the United States is a rare event and often limited to persons who committed offenses as juveniles or adult misdemeanants. Criminal convictions in Canada, however, are routinely set aside through pardons after offenders have demonstrated a period of crime-free behavior. Sealing an offender’s criminal record, the practice in Canada, is a significant step in his or her reentry into society and official acknowledgment of society’s forgiveness. This exploratory study of pardons in Canada has two clear findings: First, despite the relatively easy process, few individuals with criminal records make application for pardons. Second, of those who do apply, few applications are ever denied, and a very small percentage of successful applicants reoffend. Although setting aside criminal convictions seems inconsistent with the increasing use of collateral consequences for U.S. offenders, taking this approach might contribute to increased public safety in the long term by easing offender reintegration.

From the Élysée Salon to the Table of the Republic: State-Islam Relations and the Integration of Muslims in France

The creation of a representative council for observant Muslims—the Conseil Français du Culte Musulman—is a landmark accomplishment of Fifth Republic France. It is a strong reaffirmation of the republican framework in which the representatives of organized religion are expected to operate in lay France. But it is also an uncharacteristic official acknowledgment of contemporary religious diversity. How did a country whose political system has been notoriously allergic to organized religion decide to assemble and embed Muslim leaders within a state-sponsored institution? Some clues are contained in the remarks above, which hint at the mindset of the ministers in charge of religious affairs. These statements, made by two key actors in the French government's efforts to integrate Islam into French state-church relations, can be seen as rhetorical bookends of a policy process aiming to bring France's Muslim population closer to the state. Over a nearly fifteen-year period, politicians of distinct party traditions drew on competing models of state-society relations to make this politically feasible.

Situación de la neurología pediátrica en la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid: variabilidad en la distribución de los recursos

Paediatric neurology (PN) lies halfway between neurology and paediatrics, with no official acknowledgment. It is therefore difficult to determine exactly how resources are shared out.The aim of this study is to analyse the public resources devoted to PN in the different health care areas within the Autonomous Community of Madrid (ACM).In May 2002 we carried out a survey among child neurologists (CN) from the 9 independent health care districts within the ACM.A total of 28 CN work for the public health service in the ACM, eight of whom are employed on a part time basis. Only 53% are owners. The ratio of CN per 100000 inhabitants (inhab.) is 0.55 (0.45 after correction for part time work). The figure varies from one area to another from 0.07 to 1 CN/100000 inhab. (1/12000 1/220000 children). Part time neurologists work in the outer districts of the ACM. In most areas it is difficult to carry out diagnostic tests and these become even complicated when the child is small and requires some anaesthetic procedure. Neuropsychological assessment is one of the basic evaluations performed in PN and this is not easily performed in most centres.The CN/100000 inhab. ratio in the ACM is lower than that commonly recommended. The distribution of resources varies greatly and does not match demographic criteria. Temporary and part time jobs are commonplace in the peripheral areas. It is difficult for most centres to perform diagnostic tests.

Official Acknowledgment for Outstanding Contribution

The AGM in Sydney provided the opportunity for the College to formally acknowledge and thank two esteemed Fellows for the contributions they have made.

Une expérience de certification du personnel des prélèvements en collectes mobiles

Training and official acknowledgment of the competence of each staff member are essential to the quality and safety of collected blood products prepared and delivered by a blood transfusion center. A procedure was created to indicate in detail the methods employed to implement such accreditation. Based on individual training according to activity, it defines for each type of activity (secretary, physician, collector, driver) the required theoretical and practical knowledge of his/her position. Accreditation, consisting of assessment of the degree of competence attained in these areas of responsibility, was applied to the members of mobile blood collection teams in 1995. No major deficiency was detected, and this certification was well accepted by the staff. In order to complete this initial accreditation, blood collection abnormalities (inadequate blood volumes, clots or defective welding of tubing) were assessed for each collector individually. Comparison of these abnormalities in qualified nurses and laboratory technicians with a blood collection diploma showed no differences. On the other hand, significantly higher numbers of abnormalities were found in intermittent as compared to regular collectors and in senior as compared to new collectors. The applied corrective measures led to obviation of differences and improvement in performance. In 1996, in the first individual evaluation of medical selection carried out by each physician, discrepancies of one to 20 donors (0.7-14.2%) were observed from one doctor to another in the frequency of elimination of candidates for blood donation after the medical interview. Regular meetings with physicians resulted in reducing these discrepancies to one to 3.1 donors (4.6-14.1%) in 1997. In conclusion, the association of an initial accreditation procedure with an individual follow-up of work quality allowed satisfactory assessment of the training and competence of staff members. This kind of method could be extended to those working in other fields of transfusion medicine.

Linguistic Minorities and Education in Japan

The increasing visibility and assertiveness of language minorities in Japan now pose a serious issue for government policy which has hitherto been committed to the historical ideology of a monoracial and monolingual state. Language education policy in Japan is currently predicated upon the need for ‘internationalisation but nowhere does internationalisation include support, or at least encouragement, for community and indigenous languages, or regional dialects. Nowhere is there official acknowledgment that in the public school system, there are languages and language varieties other than standard Japanese, nor that schools might benefit from recognition of ‘Other’ languages. It is well‐known that the idea of a diverse Japan has been systematically avoided by the so‐called Nihonjinron theories, an ethnocentrist body of writings which purports to value cultural difference whilst emphasising the uniqueness of ‘being Japanese’. This ideology is becoming increasingly challenged as many local communities, urban and rural, re‐evaluate their changing composition in the light of cultural diversity. Community languages may include Korean, Ainu, new immigrant languages, Japanese Sign Language and others. However, the notion of contemporary Japan as somehow ‘multilingual’ still remains radically controversial and contested in descriptions such as Government white papers and approved school textbooks. There is a need for a new paradigm regarding the languages of Japan and there are signs that a new and progressive one is emerging.

Securing religious liberty: principles for judicial interpretation of the religion clauses

Preface: A Personal Note 1: Basic Postulates and Alternative Theories Preliminary Considerations The Core Value of Religious Liberty Different Approaches Preview and Synopsis 2: Deliberate Disadvantage Principle Resemblance to Race Inquiry into Motive 3: Burdensome Effect Principle Existing Doctrine and Its Shortcomings Problems in Fashioning a Better Rule Elaboration of the Principle's Qualifications 4: Intentional Advantage Principle Inquiry into Motive Rationale for Accommodations Accommodations for Religious Minorities Religion in the Public Schools Official Acknowledgment of Religion A Note on Application of the Establishment Clause to the States 5: Independent Impact Principle Reasons for Validation Reasons for Invalidation Aid to Parochial Schools Afterword: A Professional Note Table of Cases Index

AIDS among African Americans: A Social Epidemic

This article provides an overview of the history of AIDS in the United States. In 1985, a formal analysis of AIDS among Blacks was initiated. The Centers for Disease Control sponsored the first national conference on AIDS in minority communities in August 1987, an official acknowledgment that the HIVepidemic disproportionately affected Blacks. This article provides surveillance data for several groups of Blacks including women and men who have sex with men. Projections on AIDS cumulative incidence among Blacks within the next several years are also provided in the article.

The Cape Horn Route to California, 1849

IT IS A HISTORICAL paradox that a hundred years ago Cape Horn was less remote than it is today. Though distant some seven thousand miles to the south of the principal North Atlantic ports, and months away in time, it was intimately known to countless Yankee seamen who had sighted it from the decks and crosstrees of whalers and merchantmen; its name had a familiar ring to Easterners and Westerners alike. In 1849 the Horn was rounded by more Americans than in any previous year-thus becoming still better known.' This great increase in traffic is a chapter in the story of the rush for California which followed President Polk's official acknowledgment before Congress, December 5, 1848, that gold had been found on the American River. The reasons are plain why so many chose the Cape Horn route to the gold fields. It could be undertaken at once; the necessary maritime facilities were at hand in the populous coastal cities; an all-sea voyage was a more familiar mode of transportation to most Easterners-New Yorkers and New Englanders, particularly; and a through sea route enabled enterprising emigrants to

British Food Journal Volume 2 Issue 11 1900

A pæan of joy and triumph which speaks for itself, and which is a very true indication of how the question of poisonous adulteration is viewed by certain sections of “the trade,” and by certain of the smaller and irresponsible trade organs, has appeared in print. It would seem that the thanks of “the trade” are due to the defendants in the case heard at the Liverpool Police Court for having obtained an official acknowledgment that the use of salicylic acid and of other preservatives, even in large amounts, in wines and suchlike articles, is not only allowable, but is really necessary for the proper keeping of the product. It must have been a charming change in the general proceedings at the Liverpool Court to listen to a “preservatives” case conducted before a magistrate who evidently realises that manufacturers, in these days, in order to make a “decent” profit, have to use the cheapest materials they can buy, and cannot afford to pick and choose; and that they have therefore “been compelled” to put preservatives into their articles so as to prevent their going bad. He was evidently not to be misled by the usual statement that such substances should not be used because they are injurious to health— as though that could be thought to have anything to do with the much more important fact that the public “really want” to have an article supplied to them which is cheap, and yet keeps well. Besides, many doctors and professors were brought forward to prove that they had never known a case of fatal poisoning due to the use of salicylic acid as a preservative. Unfortunately, it is only the big firms that can manage to bring forward such admirable and learned witnesses, and the smaller firms have to suffer persecution by faddists and others who attempt to obtain the public notice by pretending to be solicitous about the public health. Altogether the prosecution did not have a pleasant time, for the magistrate showed his appreciation of the evidence of one of the witnesses by humorously rallying him about his experiments with kittens, as though any‐one could presume to judge from experiments on brute beasts what would be the effect on human beings—the “lords of creation.” Everyone reading the evidence will be struck by the fact that the defendant stated that he had once tried to brew without preservatives, but with the only result that the entire lot “went bad.” All manufacturers of his own type will sympathise with him, since, of course, there is no practicable way of getting over this trouble except by the use of preservatives; although the above‐mentioned faddists are so unkind as to state that if everything is clean the article will keep. But this must surely be sheer theory, for it cannot be supposed that there can be any manufacturer of this class of article who would be foolish enough to think he could run his business at a profit, and yet go to all the expense of having the returned empties washed out before refilling, and of paying the heavy price asked for the best crude materials, when he has to compete with rival firms, who can use practically anything, and yet turn out an article equal in every way from a selling point of view, and one that will keep sufficiently, by the simple (and cheap) expedient of throwing theory on one side, and by pinning their faith to a preservative which has now received the approval of a magistrate. Manufacturers who use preservatives, whether they are makers of wines or are dairymen, and all similar tradesmen, should join together to protect their interests, for, as they must all admit, “the welfare of the trade” is the chief thing they have to consider, and any other interest must come second, if it is to come in at all. Now is the time for action, for the Commission appointed to inquire into the use of preservatives in foods has not yet given its decision, and there is still time for a properly‐conducted campaign, backed up by those “influential members of the trade” of whom we hear so much, and aided by such far‐reaching and brilliant magisterial decisions, to force these opinions prominently forward, in spite of the prejudice of the public; and to insure to the trades interested the unfettered use of preservatives,—which save “the trade” hundreds of thousands of pounds every year, by enabling the manufacturers to dispense with heavily‐priced apparatus, with extra workmen and with the use of expensive materials,—and which are urgently asked for by the public,—since we all prefer to have our foods drugged than to have them pure.