April 21, 1902.]
among other nations, temporarily at least hostile to Britain. From the actual establishment of independent telegraphic services, not passing through our hands, nothing is to be feared. A multiplication of the means of intercommunication between different quarters of the globe is to be welcomed beartily, and in default of a State-owned British 'cable-system, to which many are anxiously looking forward, the stimulus of foreign competition, resulting ing cheaper rates and other benefits, is a matter for congratulation, not for regret:
+
NAVAL NEEDS.
(Daily Press, 18th April.) Lord CHARLES BERESFORD, in his speech before the London Chamber of Commerce recently, points out :--
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I. That as far as administration goes there is no efficiency in the Navy. II. That there is no direct responsi
bility and that the Navy is not ad- ministered on business-like lines. III. That the Navy is not properly prepared or organised for war, and that this constitutes a danger to the country. IV. That when disaster comes
we
shall turn out the Government and-so be in the happy position of losing the Government and the Empire at the same time.
V. That the strength of a fleet de- pends not so much on the num- bers as on the efficiency of the ships.
VI. That there are very few captains who know anything at all about signals.
VII. That the Council of Defence is a ludicrous body and should be done away with. VIII. That the Admirals are too old, and that they have not the physical ability to command a Fleet in
action.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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THE FRENCH IN MACAO.
(Daily Press, 18th April.)
HONGKONG AND THE CORONATION.
A meeting of the Coronation Committee was held in the Conncil Chamber on the 17th inst. His Honour the Chief Justice, Mr. W. Meigh Goodman, presided, and amongst those present. were the Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, lon. W, hatham. Hou, R. Murray Rumsey, Hon A. W. Brewin, Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Hon. Wei A Yuk, and Messrs. R. C. Wilcox, F. J. Badeley, R. Shewan, A. Skelton. W. H. Wickham, E. J. Sharp. D. E. Brown. E. Osborne, W. Poate, W. Danby, A. J. Raymond, V. H. Deacon, E. A Hewett, W. B. Dixon, J. Barton, C. Ford, A. Turner, Ho Tung, and Fong Wa Chuo.
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wiser for me to leave myself in your hands, and this I do with the most perfect confidence (Applanse.)
His Excellency having retired, the CHAIR MAN said it had been decided, with a view to facilitating matters, to bring one or two resolu tions before the meeting, the first of which would be moved by the Colonial Secretary,
We learn that the agents of the French Government are again active at Macao, and are endeavouring to purchase some property belonging to a well-known resident there. The sum of $87,000 is being offered for Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART-Sir, I move the following 20,000 feet, and it is likely the bargain will have the honour to be completed unless objections are raised resolution"That, in view of the approaching Coronation of His Majesty the King, s'eps by the Portuguese authorities. The pre- viously arranged sale of the Boa Vista Hotel should be at once taken to make arrangements for celebrating that anepicious event in this property to the French Government, on
Colony in a suitable manner, and that sub- being announced in these columns, was prescript ons in aid of the necessary expenses be vented by the Portuguese Government, who invited forthwith." Gentlemen, I do not think bought it over at the price agreed upon, and this resolution needs any words from me to resold it to a charitable society. Up to the commend it to yon. Hongkong has had ex- present the local authorities in Macao have perience of many celebrations of a kind similar taken no cognisance of the impending trau. to that which will attend the Coronation in saction, but it is assumed after their former Jane, and on every occasion this Colony has come forward with only too great readiness to action that they will do so.
celebrate these anspicious events in a manner well worthy of the occasion, and I feel certain that on this occasion Hongkong will not allow itself to be second to any other place in the world in the uner in which it will celebrate the Coronation of our King. I do not know whether it will be out of place for me to make one or two suggestions, as I myself will not have the good fortune to be in Hongkong when the celebration takes place, but it has occurred to me that in addition to having the ordinary festivities usual on this occasion, we should also have something which will remain as a permanent record of this very important event in British history, and in having that per- manent memorial I think we ought to try to make it of such a kind that it will b, of lasting ben fit not only to the present inhabitants of the Colony, but to the inhabitants of this Colony in times to come. We all know that Hongkong is growing rapidly in popula tion, and that the ro.eation grounds. Dow In fact, existing are far too overcrowded. there is nobody who has been a resident of any long standing in the Colony but fully realises the necessity for more extended recreation grounds, and therefore I think we could not better memorial of this auspicious have a occasion than to have a "King's Park' in order to commemorate the great event. (Applause.) I am not speaking to you now as a member of the Government, but as one of this Commit- tee, and I would urge you very strongly to leave no stone unturned to obtain a King's Park. We have on the Kowloon side an excel. lent site, and I am perfectly certain that if the Committee makes an effort the first sod of this park should be turned on the day on which our King is crowned. In addition to having this park, we ought also to remember that we have a gracious Queen whose memory we would also like to commemorate, and I think, seeing how devoted she has always been to works having for their object the benefiting of the poverty- stricken and the poor, that we cannot do better than devote part of our subscriptions to form- ing a fund to be called, in honour of her name, "The Queen Alexandra Fund." I throw ont these suggestions for the consideration I at least think they ought to receive. With regard to other matters-sport, gymkhanas, reviews, illuminations, and so on-I feel certain, when I look rund me and see the members of the Committee we have here with us, that these will be carried out in a manner which will reflect every credit not only on those who undertake them, but also on the Colony in which they will be celebrated. (Applaušo).
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, since the Committee was selected I might say that one or two other names have been proposed-gentle- men who were not in the Colony at the time the Committee was selected. These are Mr. J. R. M. Smith chief manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bauk, Mr. Gersham Stewart, and W. H. Wickham, who have kindly consented to act on the Committee. Before commencing to-day's business, I might add that His Excellency has expressed his desire to Bay a few words, and with your permission I
Mr.
shall ask him to attend
H. E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT was accordingly invited to be present, and addressed the meeting as follows: Chief Justice and gentlemen,-I take it as a great compliment indeed that I should be invited in before commenc- here to say a few words to. you ing your labours, and I tak the opportunity of thanking you with my whole bear for the ready way in which yn have accepted my vitation to add these labours tɔ
in-
IX. That the shooting of the Fleet is
bad. Here are defects pointed out by Lord. CHARLES BERESFORD. If all of them, or any one of them, are correct, then, indeed, the Navy is in a bad way, and the sooner a Parliamentary enquiry is held the better.
In connection with No. IV., Mr. JULIAN CORBETT, in the March number of the Monthly Journal, remarks:-"The system
what "of education in vogue is deliberately sew-
ing for us the seeds of a naval Colenso, you already have to do. I know that "but trusts that when the naval Colenso all of you are very busy men, and I take does come it may not be at a moment that your ready acceptance of my invitation as a proof which I did not need before that you all "is vital." No. VII. is endorsed by Mr.
bave the honour of this Colony as much at heart ARNOLD WHITE in the National Review.
as I have. (Applause.) As for myself, gentle He writes:-"Testy old Admirals in spec- men, you can easily understand that during my "tacles or afflicted with gout are better short period of administering the Government adapted for a Bath-chair at Bournemouth I would wish that everything should be done or a sunny seat on the billside at Torquay in Hongkong in a way thorough y befitting the place. I yield to no man in my affec than on the bridge of a modern battleship tion for Hongkong, and I yield to no man, in a modern fleet." Lord CHARLES
either, in my estimation of the present poli. BERESFORD quotes that the last Government ical and commercial importance of Hong were turned out owing to an insufficiency kong; and I think I have perhaps a higher of cordite. Had we not better get rid of opinion than many of the future of Hongkong. our present administrators now instead of Therefore I would certainly de ire that during waiting for disaster. He pays a graceful my term of administration-an honour which tribute to Admiral Sir E. H. SEYMOUR in I prize more highly than anything else every. saying: "To the lasting credit of the thing should be done in Hongkong in such a way that, in fact, you will not have to deplore "Admiral of the China Squadron they made in any way the absence of the real Governor, good shooting 80 particular that it had I therefore beg to assure you that in everything enormously improved." It is to be hoped I can do you shall have the most complete help Your wishes shall be in every way that other Admirals will follow his example. from me.
my law, and I will give you all possible assist- Dr. John Fryer is to return to China shortly|ance in my power, both in ay military from the United Sates, where he has been con- displays you may desire and in all other ducting a series of lectures. It is expected that matters. I have been considering a number of he will arrrive in China in time to attend the schemes, but on reflection I felt that your triennial meeting of China missionaries, experience and your knowledge were so far which will be held in May.
greater than my own that it would be far
"
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•
Mr. SHEWAN-I beg to second the resolution just read by. Mr. Stewart Lookhart, and 'I cordially endorse all the remarks he' has made. I am not possessed of artistic sense enough to make any suggestions myself, but any sug tion that anyone has to make will bɔ thoroughly threshed out in Committee, and I'may say t whatever schemes we do adopt I am sure wo prove to His Excellency that his reliance on us is not misplaced. (Applause.)
The resolution was put to the meeting and carried unanimously, and the Committed proceeded to elect an hon, treasure hon, secretary.
Mr. DIXON proposed Smith be appointed to the form E. A. Howett to the