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rather than wait till the last moment and have to call a pecial meeting.
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Mr. SLADE-I have much pleasure in second. ing the Chairman's resolution. As he is purely an endorsement of what the committee have already done, and I think the committee have acted rightly in approaching the Govern. ment in time about this matter, a most important one for the Colony, and the community in general is represented by this Chamber. We should have the earliest opportunity of discussing any proposals brought forward for altering the Fiscal Policy of the Empire. As the Chairman mentioned, the proposals are not at present cou- tained in concrete form, but no doubt, after the dissolution of the present Home Parliament, they will be, and it is only right that we should ask the Government to put before us what such proposals may be,
STEWART said
Hon. Mr. GERSHOM Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen.-From the advertisement which has been in the papers for some time. a special invitation is given inviting discussion on the resolution which is DOW before the meeting. It is in response to that invitation that I
venture to offer a few remarks on this interest-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
I think that the evident desire of
4.
[March 6, 1905.
systematically of the powers to influence, to forthcoming commercial expositions at legislation which they enjoy at present. Portland (Or.) and Crystal Palace, London, Bills are advertised freely in the Government | (at which Hongkong could not make much show Gazette and the public press before they are of trade, but Chinese artificers were advised brought forward, and yet the Member for the to send exhibits); to the Chinese currency Chamber had no instructions when the last question ("it is impossible to state that any sugar bill came before the Council. The great progress has yet been made"); to the discussion aised on that day was raised by Mr. dating of New York telegrams (customers Shewan and myself upon our own initiative, and mast apparently pay for the code word yet the principal involved was the freedom of representing time of despatch); to contraband the port:
of war (Hongkong Government thanked for the Committee would be met if they formed out its efforts to secure amelioration of conditions of their own members a parliamentary committee surrounding neutral cargoes); to the unsatis- to report on all bills brought forward by the factory working of the department of the Government. Their energetic Secretary could Health Officer of the Port (second M. 0. keep them posted as to all bills advertised. wanted, and two fast launches to avoid delaying There is also always the possibility that the shipping unnecessarily. Chamber again regrets Committee and the members may view certain policy of non-intervention"); to commercial matters from different, points of view. It is education (Chamber at present will not fresh in our memory that on the great question institute examinations #3 at Singapore); of currency the members by a majority voted to the need for more typhoon anchorage for for an enquiry into the possibility of a gold juuks: to the objects of the Decimal Associa- standard, whereas the committee werà opposed tion (Chamber donated £10); to the Pilots to it. In such a case which were the Govern Ordinance 1904 (too few pilots now; licensed ment support? In its pres int form remainder asking higher fees. Chamber suggests I shall vote against the resolution, (firstly), present charges high enough, and recommends because it asks for Ek privilege which retention cannot be shared by many of our orn countrymen in the colony who are not members of this Chamber, and (secondly), I think the Committee are asking for something which may entail upon them an answer, which will certainly be polite, but cannot be entirely favour- able; and, (thirdly) because this request may be met by some counter proposition affecting the constitution of this Chamber which might lesson our importance as an all embracing trading institution.
to
Mr. PLAYFAIR: "I thoroughly agree with every word Mr. Stewart said," and am also opposed to the resolution,
to
If Mr.
endorse
ing subject. As evincing a willingness on the part of the Chamber of Commerce to under take fresh labour in the public interest, there is nothing but good to be suid of it. As an effort to encourage public discussion on matters of general interest for from the wording of the resolution, the matters treated of are to be submitted to the 'members in general, there is much in it which will appeal to those of us brought up to believe in free discussion as the soundest principle upon which to found all legislation. But there are other views of it, which upon consideration may lead to doubt as to whether the objects aimed at are likely to be best secured by the proposal before us. The The CHAIRMAN; I think Mr. Stewart has resolution is comprehensive as it asks that all to a certain extent misunderstood the intention legislation affecting commerce should be of the resolution. It is quite true, since my submitted to the Chamber for approval. attention has been directed to it. that nothing As nearly all legislation does affect trade in some was said in the resolution with regard to Fiscal form or other, it seems to amount to a claim reform. The matter was brought forward that the Government should submit practically merely because we understood that the question every ordinance they may be called to draw to of Fiscal reform was in the air. the veto or approval of this Chamber. What Chamberlain's idea is adopted. certain adminis- affects commerce more than the adtration may be brought in by Great Britain ministration of, justice and the sacredness of and her colonies of great use to manufacturers individual liberty? But are laws affecting the at home, but which would have a serious effect constitution of the supreme court or the police on the trade of this colony. The resolution force to be submitted to a cosmopolitan chamber? is merely asking the Chamber The maintenance of Public Health also is all
the request already put forward by the important do we desire to become a reference committee during the past year which was committee for the Sanitary Board? Defence and favourably received by the Government, that in security occupy an essential feature of successful the event of a y legislation being brought in commerce, a review therefore of subjects affec- connection with this question-no other question ting naval and military disposition are
-the Chamber of Commerce may be com- included in the comprehensive wording municated with, as they are the people to be of the resolution we are considering. If consulted. For that reason alone the resolution it is put forward in its present shape, is put forward, and is worded very much in the it will certainly cause a searching enquiry on same way as a similar resolution adopted by the the part of the Colonial Office as to the consti- Chambers of Commerce of India and Ceylon, tution of the body making a claim of such a which was received in a sympathetic manner by wide spreading nature. It will be found that the Indian Government. We have no reason we are a cosmopolitan body which is free to believe that the Government would at to elect or reject its own members, who in any time undertake legislation concerning us their turn are free to elect their own officers. without at first consulting the Chamber of As we exist at present we have the advantage Commerce, and I don't suppose they will neglect of having members of all sorts, who are free to to do so in the future. We do not wish to force give us the benefit of their knowledge and ourselves upon the Government, or take upon experience on every matter. I am one of ourselves any rights or privileges we are not those who think that the China trade is in its entitled to. (Applause). infancy. There are some, pessimists, who think that we Britishers are decadent, and re- present a diminishing trade. I am not one of those myself, but the pessimists may be right, and there is therefore a possibility that in days to come the majority of this Chamber may not be Britishers at all. Is it not a somewhat large order to ask the Government to mortgage their future so far as to promise to submit all their legislation to a body so constituted. Has the Chamber any cause of complaint On the motion of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by against the Government? If they can bring a Mr. ORMISTON, several firms were admitted just charge showing want of consideration to the Chamber. against the Government they will have the unanimous support of the members in resenting it. I have always thought that the Government were mest anxious to avail them- selves of the ripe experience of the senior members of this Chamber. Before asking for
• fresh powers it might be well for the Committee to reconsider the proposition and in the meantime avail themselves more
Hon. Mr. GERSHOM STEWART: I read the r-solution as advertised to-day. Your remarks have toned it down somewhat, but it is of such & sweeping nature that it would be a very good thing if the matter was referred to the new committee for reconsideration, otherwise I will vote against it
On being put to the meeting, the resolution was carried by a large majority.
NEW MEMBERS.
COMMITTEE REPPOINTED, The retiring members of committee were re-elected on the motion of Mr ScoTT, seconded by Mr. TOMKINS.
ANNUAL REPORT.
The annual report for 1904 referred to the subject.mooted last March. of experimenting in cotton growing in the New Territory; to the opening of Kongmoon in the same month;
|
➡
$4 of experienced and reliable Chinese pilots"); to the opening of Wai chow, (promised. highly desirable, not yet done. Chamber suggests light railway connecting Shan Chung, on Mira Bay, with Waichow); to the adoption of Zone time (when the extension of railways in China takes place this advantage of one standard time will be even more appreciated"); to the Kowloon- Canton Railway (no news yet of a Government Scheme for constructing or guaranteeing the necessary capital); to Piece Goods contracts (important amendment of wording suggested by Messrs Deacon, Looker, and Deacon—“ the practice of inserting such words as
4 soonest possible delivery' should be discontinued ia favour of as soon as we receive them,' or stipulation that the merchant shall not be re- sponsible for delay by manufacturers"); to registration of Chinese partnerships (Singapore contemplating action. Greater possibilities there, Await developments); to arbitration in with 21 cases, 13 more than previous year); to trade disputes (growing in favour. Chamber dealt
the membership (now increased to 150); to re- presentation on Legislative Council (Mr. H. E, Pollock thanked for relieving Mr. Robert Shewan during Home leave); to the General Committee, (On Mr. R. Shewan's return to the Colony in July last, Mr. H: E. Pollock's term of service as ex-officio member and represents- live of the Chamber in the Legislative Council expired. Mr. D. R. Law left the Colony on home leave in December and Mr. R. C. Wilcox resigned in January, 1905, on severing his connection with Hongkong. Messrs. H. W. Robertson and E. S. Whealler were invited to join the Committee, and they accepted the vacant seats.); and to Finances, (The Pinnacle Rock Fund amounts with interest to $4,500.89, and is sparately investel. No demands have been made on the Fund during the year for the discovery of rocks dangerous to navigation on the China Coast, but the possible discovery of the Workfield rock may cause a claim to be made in the near future.
The general Funds show & against $694.27 for 1903, as
surplus of $1,868.17, all sources of income showed increases whilst the expenditure on the whole was stationary. The repayment of the debentures of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and 'Godown Coy.. Ld., obliged further investments in Hongkong Hotel and Hongkong Club Debentures, both yielding 6 per cent, interest per annum. The Reserve Fund now stands at $14,715.46).
ها
•
At a Monthly Meeting of the General Com- mittee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce held in the Chamber Room, St. George's Buildings, on Tuesday 14th February 05 at 3.45 p.m. Present:-Messrs. E. H Hewett, (Chairman), A. G. Wood, (Vice- Chairman), Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson, Messrs. A. Haupt, H. W. Robertson, N. A. Siebs, J. B. M. Smith, H.-E. Tomkins, E. 8. Whealler, Hon. al Mr. R. Shewan (Ex. officio), and Mr. A. R. Lowe, (Secretary).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on 17th ultimo were read and confirmed.