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THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH ON THE
CONDITION OF THE COLONY..
(Daily Press, 12th October).
The GOVERNOR in introducing the Esti- mates yesterday congratulated the Legisla tive Council on the abounding prosperity of the colony. His Excellency's optimistio views appear to be fully warranted by facts. Shipping shows a substantial increase, all branches of trade appear to be in a sound condition, and it is estimated that the re- venue for the present year will show a Bur- plus over expenditure of 8400,000, which, His Excellency intimates, will justify a liberal programme with respect to public works. This is an especially satisfactory point in the speech, and it is to be hoped that no obstruction to the execution of much needed projects will be offered by the Colonial Office. But although trade generally is flourishing the disturbed state of the southern provinces and the piracy on the West River have res- tricted operations in our immediate neigh- bourhood. His Excellency appears to be fully alive to the importance of this matter and supports the view of Mr. R. M. GRAY, the Chairman the Chamber of Commerce, that the best protection to the interests of this Colony would be the faithful carrying out by the Chinese Government of the Agreement made with Her Majesty's Min- ister at Peking for the opening of the West River under the Inland Steam Navigation Regulations as first proposed and agreed upon. It is to be hoped that the Governor's representations to the Secretary of State on this point may be fruitful of good results.
one
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[October 14, 1899,
| Chinese cities which have been visited | China or in any other way to the detriment by plague, whereas in other respects our of the interests of China. As a fulfilment conditions are on the whole more favoura- of that pledge the Hongkong General Cham- ble, it seems a fair inference that the reason ber of Commerce recommended the establish- the epidemic has been more persistent here ment of a bonded warehouse for opium, and is to be looked for either in the overcrowd- the recommendation was accepted by the Gov- ing on the defective latrine accommodation ernment. The arrangement of the details, or a combination of the two. Any remedial however, has been found a matter of some measures that can be taken, however, must difficulty. An Ordinance was drafted to be regarded as more or less of an experi- give effect to the proposal and was submitted mental character, and in order to ensure
to the Chamber of Commerce for its con- the cordial co-operation of the community sideration. The draft Bill itself has not it is desirable that the ratepayers should been made public, but the Chamber's be allowed a voice in the matter through criticism of it was published with the duly elected members of the Sanitary minutes of one of the Committee's monthly Board. It is satisfactory to learn from meetings. In their letter to the Govern- the reply given to one of the Hon. T. H. ment dated 20th July last the Committee WHITEHEAD's questions that the expediency say that when in their letter of the 12th of restoring its legal constitution to the August, 1898, they suggested that the Sanitary Board is now being taken into Government should give its consideration consideration by His Excellency. It to the formation of a scheme which would would have been still more satisfactory if not ouly provide an effective check on the an announcement had been made to the import of the drug, but trace it also to con. effect that a decision had already been sumption or exportation, they did not intend arrived at that the ratepayers were no to convey the idea that the collection of the longer to be debarred from the exercise of duties should be undertaken by the Govern their legal rights in this matter.
ment. That, however, appears to have been virtually the idea with whi h the Bill was drafted and in that respect it was in accord- ance with the directions f the Secretary of State, who in his despatch to the Governor of the 6th January last wrote: You will
THE NEW TERRITORY AND TLE CUSTOMS QUESTION.
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see that Her Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion which--if I under- "stand right--is your own conclusion also; that the only satisfactory solution of this question will be the establishment of some system whereby the Chinese customs duties on opium imported into China from Hongkong, including the newly added territory, shall be actually collected by "the Government of Hongkong," From the omission of all reference to the subject in the Governor's speech it would appear that it is not intended to proceed with the pro- posed Bill at present. The question is a knotty one and its solution will probably give Sir HANKY BLAKE no little trouble.
THE RETURN OF SIR CLAUDE MACDONALD.
(Daily Press, 11th October.
(Daily Press, 13th October) The statement with respect to the New Territory made by H.E. the Governor in his peech at the Legislative Council on Wednes- day did not embody much that was new and it omitted reference to some points upon which the public would have been glad to have received information. His Excellency One of the most interesting and important says it was assumed that the knowledge of the just treatment of the Chinese inhabitants passages in the speech is that referring to the plague and the question of sanitation. of Hongkong and British Kowloon would So far His Excellency has not been credited induce the population of the leased area to with exceptional zeal in the performance of accept the jurisdiction of Great Britain with his official duties. He informs us, however, equanimity, if not with pleasure, an dthat that when the recent epidemic of plague had it been possible to take over the iminediately this assumption was at its height he satisfied himself possession by frequent personal inspection that might have been verified. But there the scavengers
and the sanitary staff were what His Excellency terms un- were doing their duty. Personal inspect-avoidable delays, one cause of delay being ions of that kind conducted by the head that there was an unfortunate misconception of the executive are highly commend-
on the part of the Chinese Government as able. His Excellency's further remarks to the effect of the Convention upon the
The announcement that Sir CLAUDE MAC- show that he has taken a keen interest position of the Chinese Imperial Customs in the subject. Unfortunately, like every
authorities who had hitherto exercised juris- Donald has completely recovered and was else, His Excellency has found diction within the leased area, and at the to leave England for China on Monday himself buffled in his efforts to arrive earnest request of Her Majesty's Minister in accompanied by Lady MacDonald, is a welcome one to all British residents in at the real cause of the repeated epidemics Peking the taking over of the Territory was and of their persistency. He says he found deferred until the 17th April. Presum- China and to the people of Hongkong: "the streets and lares were perfectly clean, ably, therefore, His Excellency considers British interests at Peking are apt to suffer "and whole streets filled with furniture Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD responsible for at any time when left in the bands of a while the houses were being ime-washed the delay, as in part he would seem to be, Chargé d'Affaires, because the latter natural- "and disinfected bore evidence to the but that does not wholly excuse the local ly feels chary of opening new questions or Government. It ought to have been known taking a bold plunge in regard to any activity of the sanitary staff. Yet no- thing seemed to stay the onward progress in order to anticipate them occupation should officials are apt to imagine that the Secretary that disturbances were being promoted, and debateable matter. Moreover, the Chinese "of the plague, until at last it has died out "in the usual course, having lingered have been effected at once, the Customs of Legation is a Number Two who has little here rather longer than in other cities question if necessary being left for sub real authority, and as he does not possess of South China where no such precau- sequent adjustment, which is what had to the same rank as his chief his words do not “tions were taken.” His remark that if be done in the long run, the Customs always command the sare attention. As a matter of fact, moreover, Mr. BAX-IRONBIDE, we can decide upon the causes no expendi- not being restations moved until some
though no doubt an admirable Secretary of ture within the reach of the colony would month safter the occupation. be too great to secure the blessing of free-
It will have been noted, probably with Legation, appears to lack the necessary firmness in dealing with Chinese, and no- dom from such a scourge will be heartily surprise, that the Governor made no state- endorsed by the ratepayers, is also will be meut as to any final arrangement having ticeably in the case of the Inland Waters his qualification that in considering legisla- been made with the Customs, nor amongst Regulations he evinced a disposition to give tion on the subject the Council should be in the proposed legislation does any Ordinance in to the Inspector-General of the Chinese possession of facts on which to form an
appear dealing with the question of establish- Imperial Maritime Customs, tamely accept- opinion rather than be guided by assumping a bonded warehouse. It would seeming Sir ROBERT HART's interpretation of
therefore that the question is still pending the regulations as tious that, however strongly held, afford no
matter of course.
800md hania
ich measures should and that the present provisional arrange- | Making all due allowance for the difficul- be adopted involving probably very large the time the New Territory Convention was tenens, it is evident that Mr. BAX-IRONSIDE A mere locum ment is likely to continue indefinitely. At ties of his position as expense to the colony. The salient fact in the case seems to be that the city is densely
is not sufficiently strong a man for the post overcrowded. As in this respect, as also
at the present juncture, when the Chinese in respect of latrine accommodation, we
Government are so much disposed to be compare unfavourably with the neighbouring
swayed by Muscovite influence. We do
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gotiated a pledge was given by the Bri- tish Government that all possible preciu- tions would be taken to prevent the leased area being used to facilitate smuggling into
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