10
TRADE WARNING
(Continued From Page 2)
No further items in the accounts appear to need fuller explanation. Language School
commerce.
Administrative Disabilities
bouring ports.
Vehicular Ferry
THE CHINA-MAIL,
The account for the year show quality exported has improved to In trade the past year can only differ from those exlating at
After exchange of cor very satisfactory return. such a gratifying extent that Hong be classified as indifferent, but Home. with the depleted buying power of respondence with the Government. Although we are warned to expect Kong has become a serious com
颖 the petitor of Hankow, Cassia oil" kan the country we can hardly hope the Chamber has now set up increased expenditure" It would be unwise to reduce sub- for anything more than slow im-special Sub-Committee of experts, future, I stiil hope that means will been the subject of much investi- Farmers and villagers while the Government has pre-be found to reduce the subscrip-gation and adverse comment, but I scriptions unless we are able to provement. increase the number of members, are busily engaged repairing the mind whatever technical assist-tion, which is undoubtedly high, would draw your attention to the red to in the Chamber's report, We have at present 170 members ravages of warfare, and bandkry ance is required with a view to and to bring more members to the statements of local analysts, refer
"a and this is absorbing their available drawing up a set of regulations Chamber.
The incorporation of the Cham-who have expressed doubts whe and it is proposed to make
When this step has suitable for local conditions, which canvass for new subscribers short- resources, ly after this meeting. The Cham- been completed, a gradual improve will be recognised by neighbouring her under the Hong Kong Com-ther any alcohol was present in bez does valuable work in the in- ment in trade should be seen, and it countries but at the same time will panies Ordinances is undoubtedly Hong Kong shipments to America. terests of the entire commercial is to be hoped that the import not impose unnecessary hardships a wise measure and one which I The quality of ginger has improv community, and it only right that tariff, which has only been fixed on craft under local registration, personally advocated two yearsed, even of the old crop, and it every one interested in the trade of for one year, will not be drastically or place Hong Kong af a dis-ago. I am very glad it is a falt remains to be seen whether the Improvement will reduce alalma the Colony should give their revised and once again bamper advantage as compared with neigh-accompli
It must be very pleasing to you which in this commodity, as with gentlemen, that our Chairman f others, have coincided with falling support.
The question of a vehicular able to adopt such an optimistic prices to the extent of raising - ■ It may not be out of place to re-
In reference to Chiness dissatisfaction in the minds of call the remarks made by the Chair-ferry across the Harbour appears tone
and trade generally, Chinese dealers with London ar As long ago as although I am personally inclined bitration awards. It is gratifying to see that the man of the China Association at to be becoming somewhat of a affairs
Conditions in the rice trade Chinese language school is being the annual dinner in London last hardy annual. well supported and the surplus for November as to the peculiar ad- 1922, the Chamber were urgently to think that he lays too great
dioabilities, which requested by the Government to stress upon what progress has show ales an improvement as to the year, of $1,233, goes to reduce ministrative the deficit which now stands at must tend to weaken Hong Kong's submit their views on the matter. been made, and too little upon quality, weight, and picking, and either ther improvement, my close con- $3.301. Our thanks are due to His position, and which are perhaps Development of any scheme was what still remains to be accom- whilst admitting the need for fur Excellency the Governor for his more noticeable under the present delayed by the troubles of 1925-26, plished, before merchants, keen interest in the study of the changing conditions of China than but there should be no cause for Chinese or foreign, can trade free-pection with this trade bes not I refer to further delay, and the need for a ly with that sense of security led any retrograde step during Chinese language and for his re- was the case formarly.
fact that, while
being vehicular ferry for both cars and which is so essential to prosperity. 1928
Many Irregularities
So much for the technical aide marks at the last annual meeting, the
That the Nationslist authority of the Colony's export business in which no doubt did much to promote geographically a port of China, lorries is only too obvious. At the the study of the Chinese language we are out of touch with the coun- end of last year, the Government
We try owing to the adndnistration of issued a sessional paper giving the is more nominal than real is, I respect of which I feel your stric- amongst commercial staffs.
under the results of their enquiries. This is fear, only too true, while signs are tures are entirely unmerited, and Wong
this Colony being are also indebted to Mr.
for the Crown printed in extenso in the report, not lacking that things are on behalf of the general body of Tak-kwong and Mr. K. S. Morrison Secretary of State
Imperial and outlines a scheme calling for nearly so happy and peaceful in exporters, no less than the Chin- for their assistance in examining Colonies, whereas the
policy of Great Britain toward the outlay of a large amount of political circles as may appear onese dealers, I must protest against tha derogatory expressions from the scholars for certificates.
Our Chairman touches very the Chair. It is with much regret that we China is dictated by the Foreign capital, and a ferry service on the surface.
It is more than ever such an elaborate basis as appeara
In so far, however, as your well- have to record the recent death of Office. Mr. H. P. White, senior partner essential that Hong Kong should to put the proposition beyond the lightly on the subject of irregular
we
not
of Messrs. Douglas, Lapraik & Co.- / be in the closest possible touch with bounds of possibility as a commer-taxation, extortion. bribery, and meant warning, is calculated to a firm which has been a member the neighbouring Province, and Icial undertaking for many years to corruption, which 'I am sorry to say check possible abuse in the future, | of the Chamber since its foundation trust that the reference to our come. It is to be hoped that the la still rife, while no mention think Chinese dealers and for- position by the Chairman of the Government, in the public interest, whatever is made of the growing eign exporting firma should take heed of the possible consequences in 1861, During the year,
matters. This aspect of the sub- have also to record, with regret, China Association will not go al-will do all they can to facilitate evil of smuggling.
In Hong Kong, where British
to their trade If the greatest pos- When the Tariff Treaty was un-jeet has been mentioned at the merchants may not come into soible care be not observed in res- the loss of Major Henry Keswick together unheeded. (who was a member of the Com- der consideration, the Chamber of recent annual meeting of the Star close touch with these irregulari-pect of delivery. In this, the ties, it may be difficult to realise Chamber can assist materially by mittee from 1907 to 1911 and was Commerce once more drew the Ferry. Company.
the paralysing effect which they requiring of their surveyors in the Loss of Prestige and Trade elected Vice-Chairman. In
attention of the Authorities to the
During the past year, export bave upon trade, but I feel con- future the same strict view of and of Mr. Edward Shellim, for need for a system of bonded ware many years a member of the Gen- houses in Hong Kong, so that trade generally has caused the vinced that, if the prosent up their duties which they have adopt-
Short-satisfactory conditions continue goods moving from one port of Committee some concora. China to another should not lose
eral Committee.
Situation in China
1908).
It
WHEN YOU
Members have quite recently had their entity as Chinese cargo, an opportunity of listening to or which is the case at present where reading the very Interesting speech transhipment is necessary. delivered by Mr. Compton at the would also tend to maintain Hong annual meeting of the Hong Kong, Kong's position as a distributing
Shanghai Banking Corporation, centre for
trade. overseas which dealt very comprehensively system of warehouses bonded by .Customs would also with the China situation, and I feel Chinese therefore that any lengthy state-materially assist imports from ment on this occaelon may be un abroad.
necessary.
A
Turning to the Chamber's The year has been marked by activities, these are fully covered several very important steps in in the annual report, but the fol- the direction of solidification and lowing may perhaps be mentioned. With a view to providing a sub- unification of the country and Ita relations with foreign Powers. stitute for the "Daily Bulletin," a Nineteen hundred and twenty-eight 'service of Reuter's market tele- should go
down in the world's grams was commenced last July. history as the year in which China It is found, however, that in many was granted tariff autonomy and in Instances the quotations given are which many commercial Treaties hardly applicable to this market, were revised and on more modern and subscribers will be given an lines.
opportunity before the present Although the Nationallet Party contract expires-of considering nominally holds sway over the whether they wish to continue the entire country, their authority in service, or some other alternative the Northern Provinces is more adopted.
ARE ON LEAVE keep in Touch with Hong Kong and China affairs by subscribing to the OVERLAND CHINA MAIL
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much longer, we shall hear lessed in the past.
com-
and less of the wonderful re. There are other points in the cuperative powers of the Chinese, export business, Sir, which you have not touched upon, and which A Totally Wrong Impression
are not only important in them- Unfortunately the most mildly selves but their proper spprecia- optimistic statements from an au- tion will help our friends, the thoritative source such as this Chinese dealers, towards the con- Chamber, coupled with often more atant improvement in standard of than optimistic utterances by Na-delivery we are all aiming for. I tionalist leaders and others, fre-refer to the indiscriminate quently give people at Home apetition which can obtain a profit totally wrong Impression as to the only by taking a position on the true state of affairs in China, and particular cargo dealt in, or by although I am no pesalmist I fear anatching a fraction in exchange, that it will be many years yet beor even from a long spread-out fore we can look forward to a refraight rebate. turn of anything like normal trad-quires speculation at all, which I ing conditions.
doubt, I think buyers are obtain- That the Chinese Language ing all the benefit of the risks un- School is being well supported, and dertaken by exporters, risks which has shown a surplus for the year may leave them on the wrong side under review, is indeed very of the book, and at best not bene- gratifying, and I trust that there at them more than to the extent is no longer any fear that the of the moderate commission they Chamber will abandon these use are entitled to anyhow. It appears ful classes which are so eminently to me, Mr. Chairman, that a realisa suitable for merchants wishing to tion of these factors by all parties acquire a useful working, know-concerned will not only enable ex- ledge of the language.
If the trade re-
nominal than real, and we all regret Most of you have doubtless re- to note that at the moment they ceived a notice from the Cable!
I am also glad to hear that the porters to obtain a fair rate of seem to be facing a critical situa-Companies as to the International
question of local trade statistics is commission, but also to pass a part of it to their suppliers in con- still to the fore, although the ir-sideration of the maintenance al- tion. Rome was not built in a Telegraph Conference dealing with
retrievable loss of statistics for day, however, and provided the the amendments to the regulations
ways of the best possible standard. the past three years, when they
Mr. Churn Concurs Nationalist Government can live for code telegrame. The Chamber
would have been of inestimable Mr. Churn stated that he had up to their undertakings, both to understands that the introduction regulations is meeting and to the of these
value, is much to be deplored. their
listened with interest to-the re- own country
The unsatisfactory state of the marks made by Mr. da Rocha and Powers; we should see gradual im-with opposition from commercial
export trade, arising as it more stable con- bodles at Home and on the Con-
does he felt he was right in agreeing provement and
ne- Much etil remains to bejtinent, and the Chamber has
sighted means of endeavouring to from causes which are avoidable with them. ditions. accomplished; many loans are in decently suggested that objections reduce costs to meet markets have and a short-sighted policy on the
The Chairman thanked Mr. `da fault; the country's credit is at a might well be lodged by the Aled to malpractices and caused part of export merchants general-Rocha for his remarks which low ebb: irregular taxation is sociated Chambers of Commerce serious complaints from consumy, is a matter for concern, and I would be fully considered by the difficult to stop; railways are being in China and Hong Kong,
ing centres. Adulteration of wood hope that the Chamber may find a incoming Committee and by the "milked" of legitimate revenue Stamp Ordinance Revision
oll and essential oils, poor quality means of maintaining standards. Export Committee of which Mr. da The Chamber's attitude regard-ginger, lowering of the standard particularly in rice for which the Rocha had been Chairman during that is so badly needed to repair permanent way and rolling stocking the revision of the Stamp Or-of packing, and the quality of rice, Chamber Issues certificates of the past year. He (the Chairman) the cost of the armies impoverishes dinance is fully set out in the re- have been the order of the day, quality. It is essential that stan felt it necessary to issue a serious the country, and the finances have port. While in sympathy with the resulting in the loss of prestige dards should be clearly set forth warning because the Chamber had yet to be placed on a budgetary Government in their endeavour to and trade, while claims have been and strictly adhered to.
been inundated with arbitrations, secure the revenue to which they of common occurrence. This is
I now have pleasure in seconding desplie, Mr.. da Rocha's remark On the other hand, there is no are entitled by law, your Com only in keeping with the history of the adoption of the report and sc that claims were few. doubt that the spirit of progress mittee has urged that care must China's export trade and calls to counts. (Applause.) is present and China, with its com- be taken not to place unreasonable mind the loss of the tea trade in paratively low standard of living, impositions on investments and Canton, failure to improve the has great powers of recuperation, thus drive capital away from the culture of silk, troubles over the provided it enjoys a few years of Colony. An early decision has expert standards of casala, and peace and quiet. Business failures been requested, and I am author practically every, other export have been remarkably, few, even ised by the Government to state article that can be mentioned.. prior to China New Year, and there that this matter la receiving their would issue a very strong warn- is evidence of gradually returning earnest consideration, in conjunc-ing, not only to Chinese dealers, confidence.
basia.
Recovery in the South
attention
I
EXPORT. TRADE
Chairman's Strictures Entirely Unmerited
Mr. J. M. Rocha said:
The motion was then carried un- animously.
The Chairman proposed that Messrs. Perry Smith, Seth & Fleming be appointed auditors to the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce at a remuneration of |$200 per aneum.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1929.
THE HONG KONG
DOLLAR DIRECTORY
1929 ISSUE
NOW ON SALE
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SECTION II.
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SECTION III. Business Houses.
#4
D
SECTION IV.
Agencies.
SECTION V.
"Who's Who."
SECTION VI. Residences.
SECTION VII. Ladies' Residences General
SECTION VIII. Kowloon Ladies' Residences
SECTION IX. Peak Residents' List.
Hongs,
SECTION X.
CANTON
Clubs, Associations,
Churches, Missions, Residents,
etc., etc.
D
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Ition with various suggestions that but also to exporters, to see that sideration for the views of the the motion was carried an ATA
Mr. Chairman,--With all con- Mr. R. Sutherland seconded and
have been made, but that they are quality, packing, and standards Committee in reference to the ex-The Chairman proposed that the unable at the moment to indicate are maintained at a level that will what action will be taken. de credit to Hong Kong and Southport trade of the Colony last year, election of the following members I think in a laudable desire to by the General Committee since raise the standard of delivery you the last annual meeting be con remarks, 1 bog have come to conclusions Incom- firmed Mr. J. E, Joseph, Messrs. the annual patible with the facts of the case. Wallace Harper & Co, Ltd., and
of
Things have not been as well Mesara. Sing Hing & Co
these
UNDUE OPTIMISM?
might be improved I grant, but subsequent to the Annual Meeting, there is a wide gap between any Mr. Neilage S. Frown was elected Isolated instance of deliberate bad Chairman of the Chamber for the delivery, and a sustained resort to ensuing year and Mr. B. D. F. malpractices in order to meet mar Beith, Vice-Chairman, entert I have been asked to second the kets, which your remarks indicate
Mr. J. A. Plummer said
Turning more particularly to the South, Kwangtung and Kwangai Provinces bore the brunt of the
Trade Statistics
China,
With The report also deals with the Northern Expedition to further the
"propose that Nationalist cause, but signs are not question of recommencing trade to wanting to show the rapid re-statistics. After making exhaus-report and statement.
The tive enquiries as to the methods accounts of the Chamber as ciran they might have been, andAt & Committee meeting held covery that is being made. Provincial Governments are active-adopted at Home, in Singapore, culated be adopted (Applause). ly turning their
to Ceylon, and elsewhere, the Cham- questions of education, public ber addressed a letter to the Gov health, utilities, and communica-ernment on February 5 this year tions. Travelling, which is still suggesting that statistica be ra- undertaken in the Northern and commenced on s restricted basis in Central Provinces with a certain keeping with the wish expressed amount of risk, is now probably by members. There is no doubt adoption of the report and ac-There have been cases, I admit, Bafer in our two neighbouring that had statistics not been discounts, but as time is drawing on where an erroneo Provinces and Fakien than has been continued, figures for the years I will make my remarka as brief of a cont the case for many years past. 1924-28 would now be most as possible.vance enat In this connection, Mr. Perry luminating to the Government I desire to associate myself with supplier to has very kindly presented to the and useful to merchants. the Chairman's reference to the have 1647 Chamber three, mapa showing the Local Shipping Construction disaster at the King Edward Hotel, but
An important matter, and one I have read the report and is that progress of road construction in Kwangtung, Kwangel and Fukien. full of technicalities and dificultened with much interest to all our beea
us, and I con The extent of the reads is about ties, is the question of introducing Chairman has
Com-Chairma 8,000 miles and I understand that regulations in Hong Kon
the upcountry staff- of the fug the construction
B. A. T. have travelled safety over Jocal shipping and sma
practically the whole of the mile lines similar to
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