176
perfectly aware that a permanent solution of the difficulty as they represented it could only be found in granting the Transvaal re- presentative institutions. Events have proved that they calculated quite correctly. We now find this is exactly the position taken up by Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNER- MAN. He frankly announces that the diffi- culty must be settled this way, and that representative government being given to the Transvaal, the affair will become one for which the Imperial Authorities will be in no way responsible thus arriving precisely at the point to which the astute Dutch leaders from the first intended to lead him.
But what becomes of the charge that the immigration system was one of slavery after this admission ? If this were true, there is a ground, and a very just one, for the Imperial Government interfering not only in a Crown Colony but in any other Colony under British rule. The declaration that the matter can be left to the Transvaal is, therefore, an adinission that the statements about slavery which were not only adopted but over and over again emphasised by Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN are either grossly exaggerated ur utterly un- founded. It would, however, seem that some of Sir HENRY's adherents are sensible of this weakness in the attitude now adopted. We find that Mr. HERBERT GLADSTONE in speaking at Harrowgate stated "the slave conditions of the Chinese have been improved owing to the attacks made upon the late Government, but if it were shown that the conditions still amounted to slavery, it would be the duty of the Imperial Government to see that the conditions made were such as could be tolerated by a Christian Government. The present Government had done something towards this end and would do more if they could." We should think so!
༥.
CHINA AND TIBET.
(Daily Press, 9th March). The Anglo-Tibetan Convention of 1904 provides that the first instalment of the indemnity which the British Government exacted from the Tibetans as reparation for breaches of treaty obligations and for insults offered to and attacks upon the BRITISH COMMISSIONER and his escort in their pro-
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND been pressing for a settlement of the questions in dispute, and events bave taken a turn by the reported decision to transform Tibet into a province of China, under the control of a Viceroy. The formal incorpor. ation of Tibet as a province of Chica by proclamation at Peking seems likely only to accentuate the difficulties; and the state- ment that "when the incorporation of Tibet as a province of China is accomplished there can exist on the part of England no cause for apprehension of hostile movements in that quarter," requires much more than mere assertion to justify its confident accept- ance as an assurance, In our view it will afford neither a guarantee against hostile movements in Tibet nor an assurance that the old system of shutting out Anglo-Indian trade will not be renewed,
gress to Thassa shall be payable on Jan. 1st, 1906. We are to the present date without news that the payment has been made. The whole Convention, in fact, by the meddling of Mr. BRODRICK with the com- pact appears to be of as little value as the Conventions which preceded it. Though Tibet is recognised as a dependancy of China, it is equally recognised that China's suzerainty is little more than a diplomatic fiction. It is a matter of common report that the Tibetans dislike the Chinese, and in the negotiations which took place as the British mission was proceeding to Lbasea, the contumacious disregard of the Tibetans for the authority of their auzerain was plainly shown. Had the Tibetan rulers accepted the advice of the Chinese Amban there would have been no indemnity to pay. It was, therefore, most essential that the Convention should be signed by the actual rulers of Tibet. As an additional guarantee for its fulfilment, the Chinese Government were required to sign an Adhesion Agree- ment, and though the Chinese Ambau who was present at the signing of the Convention by the Tibetan Authorities expressed his personal acquiescence in the terms, the Con- vention has not met with the approval of the Peking Government, who have up to the present date withheld their adbesion. The British Minister at Peking has apparently
THE FAMINE IN JAPAN.
(Daily Press, 9th March). Within the past few weeks we have having been openol in London, Melbourne published telegraphic__news of Funds
and now in Ottawa for the relief of the
+
population in the three provinces of Japan stricken by famine. Upwards of a million people are wholly dependent upon the charity of the public for support until the next rice harvest. people, notwithstanding the heavy calls In Japan itself the wonde upon their purses in the shape of
relief of distress occasioned by the war war tales and charitable funds for the during the past two years, have responded nobly to these new appeals for assistance, and the Relief Funds have also been supported Japan but by sympathisers in other not only by the Foreign communities in Eastern cities, including Shanghai. By means of this timely assistance much suffer. ing has been prevented and lives saved. A gentleman who has recently visited the afflicted districts and carefully inquired into the situation, writes to the papers an assurance that the appeals are based on well ascertained facts and do not exaggerate in the least; they only fail in making real the wide extent and aruteness of the misery which obtains." Additional confirmation offers itself in an appeal made by officials in the Miyagi Prefecture to the Department of Agriculture for a grant of 260,000 yen, the estimated cost of food to support the sufferers in that prefecture during the tbree months of March above referred to states in his letter to the April and May. The gentleman Press that the machinery is now in motion that will afford relief throughout the
Millions of yen," he says, nfflicted districts, but money is insufficient " must be expended to feed, clothe aul carry the million and more destitute persons until the case we are sure no further words are the harvests can be gathered." That being needed to commend to public support the concert which LADY PIGGOTT is promoting, to be held by kind permission of H. E. the 27th inst., with the object of adding to the GOVERNOR at Government House on the
fund at the disposal of the relief com- mittee in Japan.
[March 10, 1906
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD:
March 6th
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held on Hon. Dr. F. Clark (president) presided, and there at the Board Room. The were als present: Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, Dr. W. W. Pearce, M.O.H., Dr. Maofarlane, Lieut.- Col. Josling, Mr. E. A. Hewett, Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin, Mr. Fung Wa-chuo, Mr. Lau Chu- pзk, Mr. A. Shelton Hooper, Mr. H. Humphreys, Mr. F. J. Badeley and Mr. G. A. Woodcock (secretary).
OVEROROWDING. 1
Mr. Shelton Hooper asked five questions, which with their answers by the President are given below:-
if there is any contravention of Section 47 of 1. Whether steps have been taken to ascertain The Public Health and Buildings Ordinance in the city of Victoria.
Yes. During 1905 1,809 domiciliary visita were paid at night under warrant to ascertain whether overcrowding existed and in the case of 661 premises, overcrowding was found to exist. 92 prosecutions were instituted in respect to these overcrowded premises and flues amounting
parts of the city does overcrowding exist? to 82,743 50 were infl'oted by the magistrate.
2. If there is such contravention, in which
throughout the city.
The overcrowding is generally distributed
Ordinance not been applied to prohibit such 3. Why have the remedies prascribel by the overcrowding?
to enforce the Ordinance in this respect? If 4. Whether the necessary orders will be given not, why not?
These remedies have been applied
The Ordinance is enforced.
Schedule R of the Ordinance has been carried 5. Whether the Bye-law on overcrowding in out, and if so, within what limits?
This bye-law is being carried out through-
out the city generally and in Kowloo. During tion were painted in 4,053 floors. last year notices stating the legal accommoda-
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
The PRESIDENT explained that boundaries east and west had been suggested by the officers, within which are fresh offensive trades should not be allowed.
The plan was approved.
RAT RETURNS.
in the week ending February 24th 47 were infected, and of the 649 caught in the week ending March 3rd 38 were infected.
These returns showed that of 720 rats caught
KOWLOON BOWLING CLUB,
The annual meeting of the member of this
olub took place on March 5th in the pavilion nader the presidency of Captain Milroy. The financial statement, which was considered
streks had realised considerably more than very satisfactory, revealed a credit balance of
showed $374.97, and the required amount. Mr. J. M. Henderson that the debenture
was elected president for the ensuing year. The electing of vice-president produced a tie, both Mr. A. Ritobie and Mr. T. Robert- son baving an equal number of supporters.
The latter gentleman withdrew and Mr.
Ritchie was declared el cted. Mr. David Gow was re-appointed secretary and treisurer, and Messrs. Kinross, W. Ramsay, MacDonald, the committee was constituted as follows
Petrie, Baxter, Robertson and Richardson with the office-bearers and
the retiring for the new tennis courts were submitted president as ex-officio members. The rules
and after alteration approved. The meeting decided to have the electric light installed in the pavilion. Votes of thanks tỏ the retiring office-bearers concluded the proceed- ings. lost
The Philippines Government has P1,500,00 as the result of the destructive abilities of the white ant. The property destroyed consists of a quantity of revenue stamps, a large anmber of them being of the P50 denomination. A committee was appointed some days ago by the Governor-General to look into the damage that the stamps are damaged beyond repair and done and report thereon, and it has reported only fit for the flames.
noon fire was discovered to have broken out on Shortly after one o'clock on Sunday after- the top floor of the Ewo Cotton Factory. The alarm was raised immediately and when the Fire Brigade from No. 2 Stition appeared they learned that their services were not required, succeeded in extinguishing the flames. Very Mr. Shaw and his staff on the promises having jittle damage was done.