the
es
which would the case to be colony
is just and reasonable that be called upon to divide with the United King- dom the cost of its mail service ns conducted by the subsidised line of steamers. We think it might fairly be contended that the whole cost should be borne by the United Kingdom, but if it be considered that Hong- kong as an integral portion of the empire should contribute to the cost, the contri- bution should not exceed the net revenue derived from the whole of its postal service. To call upon it to pay six per cent. of its total revenue from all sources for the maintenance of a postal service maintained primarily in the interests of the United Kingdom appears plainly inequitable. If instead of being a British colony Hongkong were a Chinese treaty port Great Britain in the interests of her Eastern trade would equally have to maintain the mail service, and to maintain it at her sole cost; and that Hongkong is a British colony does not afford any sufficient reason for im- posing taxation upon the inhabitants for the maintenance of an Imperial mail service.
"C
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
--
175
the noy B
can-
China be protected from an increase of the permissibl charge in local currency to an amount cor- gathering responding to the present rate in francs, but occasion as a refu their correspondents in the United King views on that subje dom will enjoy an actual reduction of the connection with educ charge in sterling from seven shillings to good fellowship whic five and sixpence a word. It will thus the hosts and their numerous be seen, the letter goes on to say, that" Her guests, the conversation round the
Majesty's Government, by promptly acting table, and the speech-making whic "in defence of the interests of the commer lowed, all testified to the excellent
cial community, secured the insertion in the educational policy which "the new Convention of provisions binding been pursued and to the wide dis "the Companies to a reduction in the charge of a knowledge of the English I uage "from the United Kingdom to China of one amongst the Chinese In these days are shilling and sixpence a word, while pre-hear much of the decadence of British in- "venting a large increase of the amount to fluence in the Far East. How far the "be collected in local currency in China." | plaints on that score are justified it is not Perhaps the Companies might not be willing our purpose now to inquire, but all English- to concede to the British Government the men must be agreed that it is our entire credit for the concessions made, but all legitimate means to maintain our that is a detail of no great public interest. country's prestige.
This colony The important point is that the position, contribute largely to that end by though far from satisfactory, is still a good affording liberal educational facilitica deal less unsatisfactory than it might have to the Chinese. When we say "liberal ” been. For the present, however, the subject we do not mean gratuitous, for we hold may be considered closed, and we must that the fees in the Government educational await the opening of an alternative telegraph institutions should be fixed on a reasonable route for relief from the burden of present basis; but we mean that the Government rates. The Foreigu Office say in their letter ought to afford the means to the Chinese on the question of a cable across the of procuring in this colony the basis Pacific, it would be premature for Her of a sound education both in English and Majesty's Government to express an
Chinese. If ultimately the boys become opinion while the matter is being investi- Chinese officials the fact ought to afford At the special meeting of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce held on the
gated by the Committee representing the gratification rather than regret. It would 19th September last for the purpose of
United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, be a good thing if every office in China "which is now sitting." The Committee is protesting against the recent increase in understood to have since reported favourably and that boys from the Queen's College were filled by Hongkong educated boys, telegraph
tiles, Mr. T. JACKSON, after on the project for a cable from Canada to are in such demand in China - not mentioning the Companies' contention that Australia, and when that is carried out it only redounds to the colony's credit, they were only putting the rates homewards will probably not be many years before a
but also to her self-interest. The colony on the same basis as the rates outward, connection is made with Japan and China is vitally interested in the enlighten- Baid: "That would be all very well if via the Hawaiian Islands.
the rates outwards were at a reasonable
ment and opening up of China, for the more rapidly the process is carried on the more figure; but surely at this period, at the end of the nineteenth century, 78.
rapidly will our trade expand. If then we can help on the forward movement, con- a word London to Hongkong is an
tributing at once to the colony's prosperity excession
and to the increasing of our country s prestige, naturally liberal minded men business the British community must up- hold a broad-minded administration of the educational department.
THE INCREASE-IN TELEGRAPH.
rate.
RATES.
that "
*
"
"
EDUCATION IN HONGKONG AND THE FORWARD MOVEMENT IN CHINA.
THE SITUATION IN KORRA
It is a monstrous "charge. Therefore I say that instead of The banquet tendered to H.E. Wo TING- raising the homeward rates the Telegraph FANG by the Chinese community on Friday Companies might have met their con- night was a notable event, inasmuch as it "stituents with a reasonable reduction of signalised not only the esteem in which his "the outward rates, corresponding with the fellow countrymen in this colony hold sterling value of the amount homeward." the new Minister to the United States, but It was learnt afterwards that a reduction also their appreciation of the honour re- ~was to be made in the outward rate, thoughflected upon Hongkong by the fact of a The situation in Korea is evidently ex- not to such an extent as to bring it to the Hongkong man having been selected for citing some attention in England at the sterling equivalent of the homeward rate such an important appointment. The present moment. The peninsular kingdom existing before the alteration. Had the re- speeches were naturally less notable than still continues to be a source of uneasiness duction in the outward rate been made known the occasion that called them forth, the guest and anxiety. The Chinese suzerainty) was at the same time that the increase in the of the evening having no special pro-replaced by Japanese tutelage, but still the homeward rate was announced probably the nouncement to make and the remarks made people of Chosen were not happy, and feeling excited against the Cable Companies by others being mainly conventional. There that Japanese tutelage has been superse would have been less bitter than it was. It is, however, one exception, namely, the by what is virtually a Russian seems reasonable that the rate should be the speech of Mr. FUNG WAH CHUEN, which, torate it may be doubted same in both directions, and although we like that of Mr. WU TING-FANG, touched Koreans are wholly satisfied. /- would have liked to have seen the outward on the education question. The Minister rule of their own rate reduced to the level of the homeward the said the colony had done much in the way we fear, in thei reduction by a frane and a half is a sub- of education, he mentioned specially Queen's Kingdom to
cession and may be taken as
as a College, referred to the number of students off to the uncrease made in the from that establishment who seek a career direction. The concession, how-in China, and said that these young men ever, appears not to have been made volun- would help to remove difficulties and com- tarily, the credit of securing it being claimed plications by bringing about a better under- by Her Majesty's Government. In the standing between Chinese and esterns: letten
by the Foreign Office to Mr. FUNG WAH CHUEN, adopted a me- the Hong! Chamber of Commerce, dated what similar strai opt that
are told that what phasised the fact
local schools | ha had to contem2 | produce men for
ap
intments e of two as well as for
of an
the Gove
and tyranny th so long as silentl people. They are all same example, "and ( squeeze as customaryland inevi
sent Kin
coun too
ly to find a career 1
a it may b