March 26, 1896.]
at noon on Wednesday, read. Unanimously resolved that the proposed change would entail grave inconvenience upon the commercial com. munity, and to address the Agent of the Mes- Bageries Maritimes expressing the sincere hope | that the Co.'s directors would favourably recon- sider their decision, and revert to the old hour of departure.
International Telegraph Code Vocabulary.— Letter from Shanghai and Amoy Chambers of Commerce, acknowledging receipt from this Chamber of copy of a letter from the General Post Office in London in reply to a joint protest from the Chambers of Commerce in the Far East against the enforced use of the Vocabu- lary Code, read. Agreed to forward a copy of the protest to the local Press.
Trade within the British Empire.-Circular letter from the London Chamber of Commerce enclosing copy of a letter from the Colonial Minister to the Governors of the British Colonies, read. Agreed to reply that the Chamber would readily afford Government every information at its disposal.
Exhibition of Empire of India.-Letter from the Colonial Secretary enclosing copy of a des- patch from the Secretary of State, &c., in con- ⚫nection with the proposed continuation of this Exhibition and its extension to the Eastern Crown Colonies, read. Unanimously agreed that as letter was not received until 14th Febru- ary, and that as exhibits would not be received in London after 20th April next, time did not now permit of contributions being sent from this colony.
The New Mail Contract.-Letter from Shang- hai Chamber, in reply to one from this Cham- ber, enclosing copy of despatch from the General Post Office in London with reference to the new mail contract, protesting against the proposed change in terminal point, read. In pursuance of having previously agreed to do so, this Chamber addressed the Colonial Govern- ment on 15th February expressing the opinion that stoppages of the homeward mail steamers be shortened to 24 hours, and that no change be made in the terminal point.
Telegraph Bates to the East.-Read letter from London Chamber, referring to previous circular letter, asking for co-operation of this Chamber to obtain reduction in telegraph rates, and now expressing the opinion that no practical good is likely to result from appeal to either Govern ment or Telegraph Cos.; and suggesting that Colonial Government might be asked to give guarantee to Telegraph Cos. against any loss sustained in the event of their reducing rates. Resolved against asking for such guarantee, and to postpone considera tion of the steps to be taken to attain the reduction of rates; also that Chamber address the local General Manager of the Telegraph Cos. urging the reduction of local rates.
Chinese Official Obstruction to Sale of Foreign Goods at Wuchowfu on the West RiverRead letter from the Colonial Secretary, acknowledg- ing receipt of one from this Chamber, stating that His Excellency the Governor had addressed Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking in connection with the obstruction of the Chinese officials to the sale of Mr. John Andrew's foreign goods at Wuchowfu, and from Mr. John Andrew enclosing copy Proclamation by the Prefect at Wuchow which nominally sanctions trade under transit passes, but in
impossible. reality renders it
Resolved unanimously to telegraph to Lord Salisbury, Her Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs, submitting that this case merits vigorous action. Quarantine at Singapore.-Resolved to address the Colonial Government that they ask the Straits Government by telegram that vessels from Hongkong not carrying Chinese passen- gers be exempted from quarantine at Singapore.
Synopsis of Minutes of monthly Meetings of Committee. Resolved unanimously that a brief synopsis of the minutes of monthly meetings be in future supplied to the local press.
At a monthly meeting of the Committee held at the Chamber's rooms on 21st March. Present-Messrs. A. McConachie (Vice-Chair- man), N. J. Ede, R. M. Gray, St. C. Michaelsen, N. A. Siebs, T. H. Whitehead, and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary),
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
New Member.-The Hongkong and Kow-
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
loon Wharf and Godown Co. was elected a member.
Chinese Official Obstruction to Transit Trade at Wuchow.Read letter from H.M.'s Acting Consul at Canton dated 5th March, stating that in reply to remonstrance addressed to the Viceroy on the Prefect's proclamation H.E. defended action of that official, and the matter had been further referred to Peking. Also one from Mr. Andrew dated 11th March giving similar information. Also a despatch from H.B.M's Chargé d'Affaires, acknowledging Chamber's letter of the 22nd January, and stating that the question was receiving the closest attention. Resolved unanimously that the correspondence be published.
Quarantine at Singapore.-The letter to Government and the reply of the Colonial Secretary enclosing copy of telegram from Strait Government read. (Already published).
Telegraph Rates to the East.-Letter ad- dressed to the Joint Telegraph Cos. on the 6th March expressing opinion of Chamber that local rates were too high. Reply of Acting Manager, dated 9th March, read. Resolved that correspondence be published.
The Shanghai Chamber and Mr. A. G. Wood. Read letter from Shanghai Chamber notifying that Mr. A. G. Wood had been nominated to represent them at the forthcoming Congress of Chambers. Reply had been sent that this Chamber had also requested Mr. Wood to act as their delegate. The Committee saw no reason why Mr. Wood should not represent both Chambers.
(Correspondence)
PROPOSED ENFORCED USE OF OFFICIAL TELEGRAPH CODE VOCABULARY,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 23rd September, 1895. To the International Telegraph Bureau, Berne. The Committee of the above Chamber beg to ask the attention of the International Telegraph Bureau to the enclosed document signed by this and various Chambers expressing their objec tions to the proposed enforced use of the Official Telegraph Code Vocabulary for use in extra European messages with the request that the same may be forwarded to the International Telegraph Convention to be held at Buda-Pesth for its favourable consideration when the question is brought forward next year for discussion.
To the International Telegraph Bureau, Berne. Learning that the proposed compulsory use of the Official Telegraph Code Vocabulary will become the subject of discussion, and its adop- tion or rejection for use in extra-European messages finally settled, at the next meeting of the International Telegraph Convention to be held at Buda-Pesth in 1896, the undersigned, being desirous of protesting against what they unnecessary innovation, beg to bring the matter to the notice of the Inter- national Telegraph Bureau with the request that the objections to the proposal, hereafter stated, may be placed before the International Telegraph Convention for consideration previous to the next assembly at Buda-Pesth.
consider an
The compulsory adoption of the official vocabulary, if enforced, will necessitate the abandonment of all private codes now in use, and as most of these have been compiled at great trouble and expense, to render them practically useless would entail serious loss and incovenience on the bulk of the mercantile and banking communities in the East, v "thout, so far as the signatories are aware, offering or even suggesting any compensating advantages, such as either reduced cost or greater safety in the transmission of messages.
These codes have in most instances been
255
any way retarded the business of the Telegraph Companies, therefore the suppression of these codes can scarcely have been suggested on public grounds.
In raising objections to the suggested altera- tions the undersigned believe they are only following a course similar to that adopted by many European Chambers of Commerce.
The signatories venture to hope that the Con- vention to meet at Buda-Pesth will give the question their fullest and most serious consider- ation.
It has not been explicitly shown that the compulsory use of the Official Telegraph Code Vocabulary will facilitate the transmission of messages, but on the other hand there is no doubt that it will cause very serious loss and inconvenience to all who have private codes.
Signed by Hongkong, Canton, Shanghai, Hankow, Foo- chow, Hiogo and Osaka, Yokohama, Amoy, and Tientsin Chambers of Commerce.
&
TRANSIT PASSES : OBSTRUCTION TO. SALE OF
GOODS AT WUCHOW.
case
Wuchow-fu, 18th February, 1896. Dear Sir, I have been informed by H.M.'s Acting Consul at Canton that your Chamber has interested itself in regard to my against the Chinese officials here and the Viceroy of Canton for preventing the free sale of piece-goods and cotton yarn at this port. For the further information of your members I
beg to enclose copy of a proclamation on the subject which was issued by the Prefect here yesterday, although dated the previous day. You will doubtless be able to get a better translation of it than I can with the limited means at my disposal. Among other things, it says that Chinese merchants are allowed to trade with me, but as soon as the cargo passes into native hands it will be taxed with lekin and duty again. This, of course, places me in a worse position than I was in before, as what merchant would dare to bay from me on these terms ? The amount of what they would have to pay is not stated, and the wording, I under- stand, is so arranged that merchants can be punished in other ways by having cargo sold by me in their possession. All the merchants look at it in this light and decline to but my cargo on any consideration.
I have claimed] all along that, having paid for and received a Transit Pass to bring my goods to Wuchow, I am entitled to get them landed free of all taxes and placed in exactly the same position as similar goods coming up vid the barriers and paying the local taxes. Any inland duty after landing, which applies to the latter, I think should also be paid by the former, but nothing differential.
I trust the Chamber will do everything in their power to enforce Treaty rights in this case, as, if not, there will never again be such strong proof obtainable, and the Transit Pass question, which is vital to British trade, is doomed for ever.
I still remain here waiting instructions from H.M.'s Consul at Canton.-I am, &c.,
JOHN ANDREW, To the Secretary of the Hongkong Chamber
of Commerce, Hongkong
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong, 2nd March, 1896. Sir, I have the honour to enclose, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, copy of a letter received from Mr. John Andrew, dated Wuchow-fu 18th February, together with copy of translation of a proclamation issued by the Prefect of Wuchow on the 17th idem.
In view of the official obstruction to the sale of Mr. Andrew's cargo being thus continued, my Committee on Saturday despatched to the noble lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs the following telegram:-
the outcome of long continued endeavours to simplify the use of telegraphy to mercantile requirements, have been gradually elaborated and increased to meet the business exigencies of each particular firm as these arose, and to adapt the private codes to the new vocabu- lary would be a task not easy of accom- plishment. As some of the codes now in use contain over 300,000 words the suggested num- ber of 256,700 for the new vocabulary would be insufficient for the reconstruction of each code.
It has not been contended that the use of The private codes has given rise to difficulties, or in
44
Marquess Salisbury, London. Sale goods British merchant Andrew obstructed Chamber Wachow-fu, West River. Commerce earnestly submits case merits vigorous action. Letter follows. Mc- "Conachie, Chairman."
ff
I have, &o.,
T. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
Honourable J. H. Stewart Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.