Stories from Deli

In 1905, Chinese appreciation for Hoetink is evident from a booklet introducing the Chinese Postal Service that was compiled on his initiative in Medan. This service was mainly intended for Chinese coolies working in outlying plantations for whom it was impossible to send letters and money to China. The introduction to the Regulations of the Chinese Postal Service by the Tong Sian Kiok praised Hoetink not only for his support for the Chinese Postal Service, but also for his work in Medan as “Official for Chinese Affairs in Medan, Deli, for more than twenty years” (actually he was interpreter for ten years in 1879– 89), his founding of a direct shipping line to China, and his function as Labour Inspector (1904–6).

The Regulations themselves were compiled by the Chinese majoor Tsiong Jong Hian 張榕軒 and his brother the kapitein Tsiong Tsioh Fie 張耀軒 (Tjong A Fie), both popular Hakka officers. The text concerning Hoetink is as follows:

Now it happens that the Great Inspector Mr. Hoetink was formerly appointed by the Dutch Ruler as Official for Chinese Affairs in Medan, Deli, which he administered for more than twenty years, promoting what is beneficial and abolishing what is harmful, and with glorious results. In addition he founded in Swatow, belonging to Chaochow in China, a company establishing a shipping line, which is commended by the Chinese going and coming, and praised everywhere in the streets. This was also a great comfort to the Dutch Ruler. Now he is again appointed as Inspector in Deli. When he learned about the above-mentioned reasons [for the need of a postal service], he deeply sympathised with the people and wished to found and facilitate a Chinese Postal Service. … We Chinese should be aware of the ever increasing spirit of consideration for popular feelings shown by their Excellencies the Inspector, the majoor and the kapitein ….

As will be explained in the section on other coolie matters in Chapter 14, the founding of this Postal Service (and bank) was also in the interest of the planters, since the arrival of remittances in China was expected to promote emigration