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in this department, when I saw round the hospit- able municipal table the familiar faces of those fellowcountrymen who I am justified in saying are the same material, filled with the same tena city of purpose and firm resolution, and endowed with the same qualities that went to build up, shape and consolidate the world-wide trade and com- merce of the British Isles. I have done but my duty, and this in a very faulty and imperfect manner, and if I have met to-night with an excessive meed of commendation, it is owing simply to the fact that I have tried to do my best for the interests and development of British trade and commerce in this vast Empire, a trade that not only enriches the labouring classes of the mo- ther country, but brings coutent and prosperity to the country in which we are residing. These pursuits of our countrymen are followed in friendly rivalry with other nationalities, and the competition, if understood in the Britons understand it, leads, not to hatred or eumity, but to that fair, open competition which the British subject is taught to respect from his school-days to his declining years. The gentlemen of the Con- sular Body who have been kind enough to come here to do me honour this evening, in company with my countrymen, will bear witness freely concerning the feelings and sentiments which I have expressed in this respect. I suppose it is in great measure due to the fact that geographically we have been nearer to each other, and therefore had an opportunity of becoming personally acquainted, that I feel to- night that I am surrounded by my old friends and trusty countrymen, who have united for the last time to bid me "good-bye" and "safe home," These are words that sink into the Briton's heart, be they said or heard. but they are not the first proofs of kiudress I have had from the
way
British residents in Tientsin. They have been "to my weakness ever blind, and to my failings ever kind." and their encouragement and support has been grateful in the uninterrupted succession of what I should like to think is meant as friendly criticism. no doubt for the benefit of its subject, and not the particular fad or idea of the author, which has been protty well uninterrupted for the last thirty years. The British Minister is not, as some suppose, by any means a recluse studying the abstract philosophy of Buddha within the ancient walls of the Chinese Fu. better known as the British Legation. Far from it; his life i mentally all the more active that there are no distractions to absorb his time which I vat tre to say is given nogrudg. ingly to looking after and protecting, to the best of his ability, those interests with which he is entrusted. Many of you, gentlemen.
-would. I yenture to think. be surprised if you knew the minate acquaintance the British
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Minister has with his countrymen in the ports of China. how much he lives their life and shares their longings and efforts for the extension of trade and the better under- standing with those who will equally profit by the closer connection with each other: But it is a pleasure to meet face to face even once, and I am glad to carry away good wishes from this port, where your energy and en- lightened administration of the settlement has provoked the admiration of others, and enabled
the honourable chairman to welcome. in language which I heartily share, and would like to emphasize, the accession of a new settle- ment of a great and friendly power to the older one of Great Britain. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I thank you deeply and sincerely for the honour which you have done me this evening, for your support and encouragement and brilliant example of attention to duty and to the care of those questions with which you have proved yourselves SO competent to deal. I thank again the members of the Foreign Cousular Body who have likewise honoured me by their presence at this hospitable board.
The kind words of good-bye" which you have made resound in this fairy-like hall (the arrangement of which does such credit to the artistic taste of your distinguished Secretary)
will be engraven on my memory, and if my power of expressing myself has fallen so lamen- tably short of my feelings, I know that you will be for the last time tolerant to my shortcomings. and accept, on behalf of my wife and myself. our heartiest thanks for your good wishes for a safe and prosperous voyage to that home which
is dear to all of us, and where I hope I may have the chance of meeting some of you again, who, like myself, have returned from distant exile.
SIR N. R. O'CONOR A D THE SHANGHAI CHAMBER OF
COMMERCI
On the 14th inst. Sir Nicholas R. O'Conor, the retiring British Minister to China, received a deputation from the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce with the object of discussing certain points affecting British trade in China. The proceedings which
were of 9.1 informal character took place in Mr. George Jamieson's
room at the Consulate-General
Mr. A. P. MacEwEN, having introduced the deputation, said:--
Your Excellency.--Upon, your arrival in Shanghai this week you were good enough to acquiesce in the request made by the Committee of the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce to grant them an interview, primarily with the object of discussing certain matters of commercial interest in which I say not only British, but all nation- alities trading in this place, have an interest.
was
As you
In accordance with the enggestion inade by your Excellency upcu. your arrival in China in the autumn of 1892 a fund raised for the preliminary survey
of the Woosung Bar and the services of Sir Charles Hartley were chgaged for the purpose. the scheme having received the sanction of Li Hung-chang and the Shanghai Taotai having subscribed to the fund. are aware the illness of Sir Charles Hartley prevented him from fulfilling his engagement. and Messrs. Cooke, Son and Matthew for a joint We are now in treaty with Sir Charles Hartley survey and a definite reply is expected from them soon, What I would ask now, sir, is this. Are the Chinese now likely to look upon the proposed survey with favour and are they likely to contribute anything to provement of the lar
the necessary
im-
You may doubtless have heard of the proposal to cut a canal from Kajay Creek to Woosung Creek by a Mr. Martean. Is this scheme likely to be entertained and will the Viceroy of Nan king have it in hand, and if so, will any steps be taken to safeguard the tells likely to be levied on foreigh vessels using the canal?
As far as the Chamber is concerned the scheme has never come officially before us.
River Conservancy Board. The existing regulations for the navigation of the river and bar are unsatisfactory. The Chamber of Com- merce has already approached the Board of Consuls, suggesting the formation of a mixed Board consisting of Chinese officials, Customs officers. Consular Body. Chamber of Commerce, and a legal adviser. but no favourable answer has been received. Is there any possibility of its being made a special arrangement between the Treaty powers and the Chinese Govern-
ment?
away.
?
River passes for steamers proceeding to local or to Yangtsze ports are felt an mi necessary hardship, and we should be glad of your Excellency's opinion as to there being any prospect of their being abolished.
[November 21, 1895.
to 1 per cent.; the likin charges on for- eigu made yarn have been increased and new likin stations established. Goods made locally as well as foreign imported goods both equally require protection The point it appears to be determined is-Will foreigners be able to export their manufactures on equal terms with native industries?
A case was brought to my notice yesterday, viz., that a bale of Bombay yarn, for example, shipped to Tientsin via Amoy would pass through for one duty, whereas a bale of yarn shipped direct from Shanghai would bear one duty.
and a half transit passes.-The Chamber has been in recent communication with Consular and Diplomatic Bodies about the great delay there is in the issue of these by: which the value of passes is rendered nugatory. Would it be possible to arrange with the Tsung- li Yamen that transit passes should be issued by the foreign Customs immediately on application instead of having to send in to the Taotai'syamen for them. Transit passes would then be of value and as far as the Chamber can ascertain, this could be done without any more trouble to the Customs than is now occasioned by sending in the application. The Chinese authorities ap- pear to think that a new system is impossible because the old, so useless and cumbrous, has ex- isted for years.
com-
The Chamber has recently received plaints from all quarters of the glaring dis- honesty of native cotton ginners in watering This evil would be checked if cotton ginning establishments under cofton brought to market.
worked in the foreign management were cotton districts where they could ensure honest delivery of cotton. Does your Ex- cellency think that it would be possible to carry out this scheme ?
|
an
As regards land regulations and extension of the settlement, your Excellency will recollect that your attention was drawn to the fact that the revised land regulations of the settlement have been for many years lying in Peking and
the interests of the settlement have suffered because they were not permitted to have force. Is there any prospect of the regulations ↑ being approved?
The settlement itself is now far too limited for the foreign residents awing to the great influx of Chinese which is steadily increasing. There is not room for residential and business premises for foreigners and the roads which were originally given up for the benefit of foreigners greatly are monopolized by natives, a fact which I have no doubt your Excellency has observed during your short stay here, It is absolutely necessary that some consider- able extension should be granted. Do you think, sir, that this question would be favourably received by the. Tsungli Yamen and that the Diplomatic Body would be disposed to give its support to the wish of this community ?
Sir N. R. O'CONOR in replying said he had to thank them very much for coming to see him that morning, and giving him an opportunity. of a few minutes friendly conversation on sub- Then, as regards the Yangtze river naviga-jects of very deep interest to all engaged in tiou. The regulations of the Yangtsze were
commercial pursuits in China. It was just established by special treaty many years ago at about three years ago since he had the pleasure. the time of the Taiping rebellion when Nanking of a similar conversation regarding very much. and other places on the river were old by the similar subjects. He was then comparatively rebels and the necessity which thichisted for new to the labours before him and the matters special and stringent rules has long suice passed to be treated. They had been his constant companions ever since. It was unfortunate, he thought, that the deputation in a sense, were Three years ago he addressing a dying man. was more able to render them assistance than. now when he was going to another port, but the interest he had taken in the questions was. far too keen to die out in a week or two, and he would lave great pleasure in answering the questions, and giving what information he was able to, on the subjects mentioned by Mr. MacEwen. With regard to the Woosung Bar, he had the greatest confidence in Sir Charles Hartley, otherwise he should not have recom mended him to the Chamber. He undertook some gigantie works upon the Danube against considerable adverse opinion and the result of the works he recommended was a surplus of some-- thing like a million sterling raised without in any way injuring trade. He had a letter from Sia Charles expressing his extreme regret at not being able to visit Shanghai and saying that he had recommended Mr. Matthews
The system also of depositing coast trade duties ou exports from the Yangtsze ports by river steamers is found to be a serious hindrance, to the shipping trade and is of no practical service. and as an evidence of the heavy tax this is on shipping, etc. may be instanced that at the close of 1894 the amount of unrefunded deposit duties was Tls. 135,000. Is there any prospect of these regulations being removed?
Differential Taxation on Foreign Goods as compared with Chinese-made. This is a point of growing importance in view of the develop ment of manufacturing industries in Shanghai. We have already addressed the British Consul- General on the matter and shown that Chinese spun-yarn from the local mills is exempt from likin on payment of a royalty amounting
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