No. 1321.
89
No. 6.
HONGKONG.
CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE OPENING TO TRADE OF THE SOUTH- WESTERN PROVINCES OF CHINA.
Presented to the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
(1.)
Acting Colonial Secretary to the Chairman Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
SIR,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, September 23rd, 1885.
I am directed to acquaint you, for the information of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, that, so far back as in a despatch of the 21st May, 1884, His Excellency the Governor addressed the Imperial Government on the importance of opening up to commerce the neighbouring South-western Provinces of China, and especially the affluents of the Chiukiang,-the Pearl, or Canton river.
2. In that and in subsequent despatches, Sir GEORGE BOWEN further expressed a hope, in the interest of the Mercantile Community of Hongkong, that the British Minister at Peking, when conducting the negotiations for the com- pletion of the Chefoo Convention between England and China, would be empowered
urge the Chinese Government to grant this concession.
to
3. The Governor's representations were forwarded to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and there ensued a long correspondence between the Foreign Office and the British Legation at Peking, of which the substance was communi- cated to His Excellency by the last Mail from England. The interests of English commerce in this quarter are engaging the careful attention of Her Majesty's Government;-fresh representations on this subject have been made to the Chinese Government; and Mr. BABER, the Chinese Secretary of the English Legation at Peking, has been sent to investigate and report upon the trade of the South- western Provinces.
4. The Governor will be, at all times, glad to receive representations from the Chamber of Commerce on this and on other subjects, and to promote the success both at London and at Peking of all measures calculated to benefit the trade and general interests of this Colony.
I have, &c.,
FREDERICK STEWART, Acting Colonial Secretary,
The Chairman
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SIR,
(2.)
Vice-Chairman Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce to the Acting Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 2nd October, 1885.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd ultimo, informing this Chamber of the action taken by His Excellency the Governor, with regard to the important subject of opening up to commerce of the South-western Provinces of China.
On behalf of the Committee, I beg to request that you would convey the thanks of the Chamber to His Excellency for the action he has taken in this matter which so nearly concerns the commercial interests of this Colony.
The Committee will be glad to make such representations to His Excellency as may appear to be called for by the future development of events relative to this question.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
I have, &c.,
P. RYRIE,
Vice-Chairman.