May 6, 1897
lately that the Chairman would not be present for this important occasion. Mr. Gray, who is one of the oldest members of the Committee, consented on his return to rejoin it, thus filling the gap caused by the resignation of Mr. Dodwell. You will be called upon to day to elect a new Committee. The list of new mem bers is a gratifying one, not only because they serve to strengthen and popularise the Chamber, but also because the subscriptions now place us in a greatly improved financial position. You will see by the accounts that the revenue for the past year exceeded the expenditure, instead of as in some former years showing a balance on the debit side, a much more satisfactory state of affairs, I am sure you will allow. A good deal of credit is due to our Secretary and to two members of Committee (Messrs. Whitehead and Michaelsen) for their special efforts to bring about this result. I will now, gentlemen, unless some member present wishes first to offer some remarks, move that the report and the Secre- tary's statement of accounts as presented be adopted. (Applause.)
Mr. JACKSON Mr. Chairman and gentle man, it gives me very great pleasure indeed to bear testimony now, as I have done on previous occasions, to the very great energy shown by this Chamber during the last twelve months. This Chamber has never shown itself more energetic or more useful than during the last year, and I agree with the Chairman in con- gratulating Mr. McConachie on the part he has taken. If this Chamber continues to work on the lines it has adopted it will be a very great power in this place. Its boundaries, 80 to speak, have been enlarged, and it is truly representative of all nationalities in Hongkong. If we are only able to persevere with the energy, with the moderation, and with the ability that have been displayed in the last year our efforts will be entirely in the right direction and will do a very great deal of good. I very heartily congratulate the Chamber on the report which has just been presented. (Applause.)
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE"REPORT.
stances necessitated prompt action, and not this Chamber but the only the members whole colony is to be warmly congratulated in that the Chamber has succeeded in frustrating the ill-advised and unwise attempt of the Colonial Government to permanently tax for the purposes of general revenue the shipping frequenting these waters. It is very gratify
intact of the ing that the maintenance freedom of the port, the mainspring of our progress and prosperity, should have been secured, and it is very important that the "That Secretary of State's words, viz., moderate dnes may properly be levied in Hong- kong, provided the proceeds do not in ordinary times exceed the total expenditure on the Har- bour department, including lighthouses, water police, &o." should not be lost sight of. At our last annual meeting, speaking in regard to the plague then at our doors and of the sanitary condition of the city, I thought all would agree that the sanitary reform, necessary to render the port clean and healthy should be effected forthwith at whatever cost of money; that the cost whatever it might be should not stand in the way. I further quoted from a minute of Mr. Ede's. which reads: Unless some well considered scheme be adopted to abate over- crowding, to resume, lay out, rebuild on new principles, at least the worst section of the town, we shall never make any real permanent pro- gress towards immunity from filth and disease." It is now reasonable to ask what has been done and whether the present position of matters is satisfactory. The emasculated Sanitary Board still with us has rendered and is rendering excellent service, but the law now in existence does not give it the power to compel landlords to do what is essential and necessary. Though the Board applied in Angust last to have the Public Health Ordinance further amended; Gov- ernment so far have delayed giving the powers required. A commission of enquiry was appointed and a preliminary report will shortly be sent to the Government. From a personal inspection the members of the Commission have discovered Hon, T. H. WHITEHEAD said-I heartily
a large number of insanitary dwellings, quite unfit for human habitation. It is very essential appreciate your reference to my re-election to the Legislative Council as the Chamber's re- that the new Committee to be elected to-day presentative and my endeavours on behalf of should see that Government do not longer delay trade and commerce. While it is my privilege in effecting sanitary reforms which are indis- to occupy a seat in the Council you may rest pensable. The lesson of the painful experience assured that to the atmost of my ability and of 1894 appears to have been only imperfectly without fear or favour I will strive to protect learned. I would farther direct the attention and promote the interests which you have en- of the new Committee to the question of collect- trusted to my care. At the Chamber's annual ing the revenue or tax on opium through a meeting in May last year, when the special Gap Farmer. The system is not only antiquated, Rook light dues were being continued, though but one which seriously affects the freedom of the purpose for which they were originally the port. In Council in December last I asked levied had been satisfied, it occurred to me in the question :-" In view of the present Opium the course of the remarks I then made to direct Farm expiring in the spring of 1898, will the the attention of the Chamber to a despatch of a Government appoint a commission with full previous Governor in connection with the free-powers to investigate and report on the opium dom of the port. Sir John Bowring said:- " Believing that the satisfactory development of our prosperity is mainly due to the emancipation of all shipping and trade from fiscal vexations and exactions, I trust no Custom House machinery will ever be introduced, either for the collection of tariff or harbour dues, or for any purpose which may check the free ingress and egress of all shipping to and from the port, nor the free transfer of commodities from hand to hand," and these words are now as applicable as when they were written. You are aware your Com- mittee communicated with the Government in Jaly following and in acknowledging the letter sixteen days later Government replied that the matter was receiving attention. Nothing further would appear to have been done until the 12th of the following November, and then instead of bringing the question of taxing shipping for the purposes of general revenue before the Council openly, the Government endeavoured to get the matter discussed and settled by the unofficial members privately I ventured to protest against this "hole and corner "mode of procedure, as in my opinion it is irregular and unconstitutional to refer public questions to the people's representatives to be discussed with closed doors and settled at: private meet- ings. In certain quarters my protest was regarded asover vigorous, and in the Legislative Council I listened to His Excellency the Gov. ernor more in sorrow than in anger when he referred to my letter as having been written in my usual uncompromising style. Circum-
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861
The CHAIRMAN then moved the confirmation of the members elected since the last annual meeting
Mr. JACKSON seconded. Carried:
The following gentlemen were appointed on the Committee for the ensuing year** Messrs. R. M. Gray (Chairman), H. Smith (Vice-Chairs man), J. J. Bell-Irving, N. J. Ede, T. Jackson, St. C. Michaelsen, N. A, Siebs, T. H. White- head, and G. B. Dodwell.
The proceedings then terminated.
The following is the Committee's report submitted to the meeting:-
During the past year fewer subjects have engaged the attention of the Chamber, but your Committee are glad to note the final settle ment of several questions and the satisfactory advancement of others.
DUTIES LEVIABLE IN JAPAN ON FORMOSAN PRODUCE TRANSHIPPED AT HONGKONG,
Early last year the Colonial Government requested an opinion from this Chamber on the subject of the duties leviable in Japan on British owned goods from Formosa which may be transhipped at Hongkong. A case was cited showing that, on satisfactory proof of the origin and destination of the cargo being given, the Customs charges were refunded by the Japanese Government, though it was considered doubtful whether such treatment could be generally claimed as a right. The Government desired to know whether the effect of this pri vilege, if claimed and conceded, would be bene ficial or otherwise to the trade of the colony. A reply was sent affirming the desirability of obtaining a definitive recognition of the privi lege, but nothing further has since transpired in reference to the subject.
THE WUCHOW-FU OBSTRUCTION CASE. The case in which the officials at Wuchow-fu intervened to prevent the free disposal of goods taken under transit pass up to Wuchow by Mr. John Andrew was satisfactorily settled early in the year, and a sum of money in satisfaction of Mr. Andrew's claim for loss incurred sub- sequently paid over to the British Consul at
Canton.
DUTIES LEVIED ON FOREIGN GOODS IN SOUTH CHINA, Consequent on the case above alluded to and correspondence on the subject of the exactions levied on foreign goods in the interior of the Two Kwang, strong representations were made. to the Central Government, the effect of which has been the issue recently of proclamations by the Likin Offices in Kwangtung and Kwangsi calling attention to the Treaty provisions and setting forth that all foreign produce imported under half duty certificate to no matter what points in the interior shall, on production and examination of its covering pass in transit, be - exempt from all additional charges. It is hoped that the provisions of these proclamations will be strictly enforced.
PROPOSED INCREASE OF IMPORT DUTIES
ON FOREIGN GOODS IN CHINA,
revenue generally, and upon the advisability or otherwise of substituting for the present Opium Farm bonded warehouses and a fixed duty on all opium not bona fide exported in a raw state p" and in reply the Colonial Secretary said "I have the honour to state that the suggestion
The publication by Reuter's Agency, on the contained in the question will receive the con-
So far, we have 4th May last, of a telegram to the effect that sideration of the Government." heard nothing further and evidently the question, His Excellency Li Hung-chang, then on a like others, is being allowed to drift. (Applause.) Mission to Russia to represent China at the Mr. C. S. SHARP-Mr. Chairman and gen- Czar's Coronation, was about to visit the tlemen, I have very much pleasure in seconding various Courts of Europe partly with a view the proposal you have just made for the adopto obtaining the sanction of the Treaty Powers tion of the report and accounts. We have all to an increase in the ad valorem duties levied in listened with a very great deal of pleasure to China on foreign goods, induced your Com the very interesting remarks you have made.mittee to address representations on the subject They were so complete that it is not necessary to the British Minister at: Peking expressing for me to say anything but a word of congratula. the hope that before any definite steps are tion to the Committee for the report they have taken in that direction an opportunity would presented of the very important and useful work be afforded to Chambers of Commerce interest- ed to express their views upon any changes that done during 1896. I concur generally in the re- marks you have made and I think it must have may be contemplated. Letters were also ad- been a matter of pleasure to members to see dressed to the various Chambers of Commerce the Committee adopt the step of occasionally in China, the China Association, and to Lon- publishing an abstract of the proceedings that don and other Chambers in the United King had passed at their meetings instead of, as dom, inviting co-operation and interchange of formerly, allowing everything to remain opinion on the subject. Sir Claude MacDonald until the end of the year, when most of the replied to the effect that he had received no subjects were forgotten or had become stale. I confirmation of the statement contained in think the thanks of the members are due to the Reuter's message: but the visit of Li Hung- Committee for that improvement I have very chang to England. confirmed the report, the much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the proposal having been discussed by him with Lord Salisbury, who intimated that before the report and accounts. (Applause.)
matter could be considered he should wish to
The resolution was carried.
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