1
September 2, 1907.)
it argued in Japan that bigh prices for such works are contrary to public interest. Some of the arguments, in fact, were not unlike those recently roade by the London Times during its Book War. Still, that does not fully excuse the Japanese in this connection, for their dereliction extends to things other than printed matter; and a contemporary very properly argues that as the Japanese Government has refused to join the Powers mentioned, for the mutual protection of trade marks, it has to face all responsibility for the offences against in- ternational 'copyright committed by un- scrupulous Japanese merchants and others, and no amount of protestation or inveighing against Chinese shortcomings will satisfy foreign traders of the sincerity of the Japanese Government in protecting in- dividual property in its own country: The suggestion that it is possible that the unsatisfactory attitude of Japau in this matter, her failure to co-operate with the four Powers in protecting the interests of their nationals and the bal example set by individual Japanese, are responsible for the dilatoriness displayed by China in carrying out her treaty obligations, is not reason able, but should not be unduly pressed. There is no doubt whatever that the officials at Peking se nothing more in the scheme than an opportunity to levy further imposts on trade, though there are plenty of mer- cbants with favourite " chops" who could teach them otherwise, if they would listen, as they have doubtless taught the Shanghai Taotai. The proclamation of this official is practically a law for the area of his juris- diction, so that in Shanghai at least traile marks can now find sanctuary, until Peking rescinds the order. But, as we have said, it is to be hoped this action by the Shanghai Totai will act as a leaven in the lump, and awaken Peking to a sense of its duty in the matter.
CROWN AGENTS.
(Daily Press, 28th August). A newspaper in Burma does not share the popular Hongkong and Singapore opinion of the Crown Agents' system.
Like Sir MATTHEW NATHAN, the Rangoon Gazette considers that, though they have been given a bad name, they should not be suspended. Every opinion, like every child, has a right
·
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
necessary.
that
the
127
With their energatio business populations, | maay respects it would be more convenient to their go-ahead trade, and big turnover of exports | obtain articles on the spot, as the present system and imports, with their keen public spirit and involves much circumlocation and delay. But watchful press, there would be not the least chance there cinnot be a shadow of doubt that the materials to the public departmnt. The sharp No local trader can bay to as much alvantage of jobbery in the supply of commo:lities and existing system is, on the whole, a good one. competition amongst firms on the spot would dispose of that most effectively, for every firm small communities would lead irresistibly to as the Crown Agents, and local purchase in would keep its eye ou its rival, and quotations abuse. Experience has in hundreds of instances for business would be cut down to the finest proved these statements to be correct. The paint. Besides everybody would know exactly Colonial Secretary is, therefore, weil advised in the class of article wanted, and if the system of discouraging the practics of obtaining supplies almitting local business firms to competition for locally unless there be good reason for it. Of against misfeasance of any sort in connection tities at on time are not large, or speel is contracts obtained, the most powerful of all checks course, it has to be resorted to when the qusa. with Government tenders for supplies would be in constant operation. The true solution is of the simplest. In all Crown Colonies of the first class, such as those specified above, lat the Crown Agents be admitted into open opetition with loosl business firms. Wherever, all things being equal, the local of the Clonial Government in price, quality, firms would do the business to the advantage and expeditiousness of supply, the baise should be done locally. Where the Crown Agents could offer the avantiges afore- said, the business should go to the Crown Agents. But the e'ement of time is of the first tracts innot b3 met satisfactorily by the importanos, and if the time clause in the oou- dawdling and often blundering methods of the Crown Ågents, xp dition my of itself direct the adjudication of the contract to the selected local firm tendering the best terms. If we have competition between the Crown Agent and lool firms, these latter cannot complain if the Crown Agents undereat them. Sach competition Government business to keep down the rates of would be good all round, for it would tend in local firms tendering, and that again, when the figures came out, would operate as a check on general local business charges. But to continue the Crown Agents as monopolists is bad for them and bid for the sentiment of commercial independence that is due to the sens of diguity of a st-class Crown Colony..
not d,
Our Rangoon contemporary, ba it frankly admits ia conclusion where time ia a consideration, Crown Agents are bett r ignored. It discusses only the railway work of the
it does Singapore. The Free Press de- department. That interests us locally, as clares that "the Crown Agsuts made the most colossal fiasco imaginable of the Sing- apore-Kranji railway, a farcical job that has been the Aunt Sally of public opinion ever shoddy ricketty line at a figure disgracefully since its abortive début. giving us a over the estimates, casting heavy sums in upkeep as things may not have to be written of ⚫ ir a result." We hope similar
Kowloon-Canton line. So far, there are indications that it is going to be a dear bargain. An enquiry as to the comparativa cost of rails would be interesting. Perhaps if an un-official member of the Legislative Council were to ask this question: the Government ascertain the truth
Chinese have been or otherwise of the allegation that the in China the same rails for less per ton actually resolving
than the Crown
"Cau
Agents have charged fo. b. to us," the answer might be interesting. That statement has been mide to us, and if substantiate l, it says sufficieat to warrant a good deal of complaint regard- ing the existing sys ́em.
THE PHILIPPINES.
There is certainly something fishy in the persistent way in which, despite numerous questions and suggestions in Parliament, all interference with the Department is stared off. The most reasonable proposals, like that in the foregoing quotation, are met by a passive resistance that Bavours strongly of the fashion of Peking. It is very discouraging to those who favour a reform of this most un.
a-English feiture of administration, but we hope that the t› put it, where Caesar's wife be, above suspicion, will is evinced an honest desire to judge the allowed to slacken, Until there Department on its merits, and until its apologists have the verdict of public opinion principle advocates for retaining th islands, ou their side, it is the duty of all believers
has almost given up all hope of making a iu pure administration to continue demand-good job of their retention. Nor do the ing the strictest un-official investigation. It is not a party question, aul any party proved d sirous of tackling the question deserves support.
efforts should
be
not
Here is the extract from the Rangoon
Gazette:-
(Daily Press, August 29th.) Disguise it how they may, there is,uo doubt that a large section of politicians in the United States are heartily sick of their acquisition of the Philippines, and if they only saw a decent way out of the business would gladly retire, bag and baggage.” was amongst the Even Mr. Tarr, wh
People of the Philippines at all rise to the exigencies of the situation. Instead of seeking to accommodate themselves to the art of self governmenɛ, they waste their time and their energies in paltry attempts at
to benevolent treatment after birth, unless the Platonists who recommend euthanasia | for aborted specimens of humanity be deemed to be in the right. The Singapore Free Press considers that the Rangoon opinion is a born cripple, conceived in ignorance. Apparently, remarks our south- ern contemporary, the Burman journal was "without any knowledge of the hopelessly anachronistic ways of a department that had its uses half a century ago in the days of sailing ships, and is now in the days of interesting details concerning then goitude A recent Parliamentary paper supplies some cable communication a mere awful example of the works with which the rowa of doddering commercial senility." Such have been connected for the las ten years gouts vigorous language must have been inspired and the fees paid to their advisers, The by strong convictions, acquired from actual figures given hare relate to som eight or tea experiences; and certainly those who have tropical colonies, and only to railways. gained any knowledge of the performances engineers dealt with are in the front rank of
their profession, sad they supervised of this aristocratic, plutocratic, and auto-expenditure of nea:ly fifteen millions starling. cratic bureau ne not likely to cavil at the | For doing this they received in the shape of terms in which it may be denounced. We salary £42, 140, and, for ofica agree with the opinion that for places like £57.200, the two tog ther representing .69 Hongkong, Singapore and Ceylon its per cent, on the total outlay. Private persons ministrations are undesirable. Our con-
would be very glad if they could obtain pro temporary call it a fifth wheel; we should fessional assistance as cicaply. Local agita prefer to describe it as a "slipper," a clog, on the other wheels. For such places, traders, and losal officials have the same on the part of emancipation from the bondage of the tendency, because they would have a frør Crown Ageals would be an economical hand if supplies were obtained oa the spot. blessing. It could do no harm, for, as our We do not suggest that in adopting this attitude contemporary says,
officials are prompted by nuwortag motives. Lal
The
the
expenses.
Agents is not unnatural tion against and jealousy of the Crowa
revolution, each one striving to show how
restraint, much less of the little he himself knows of the art of personal
science of
good deal of the way in which the United governing others. Now we have seen a
States set to to govern a colony, which we may fairly describe as the altruistic method. The American nation was intensely moved by the misgovernment of the Spaniard, whose idea was to trouble himself as little as possible about the moral or physical welfare of the people, but let matters drift
on as they liked, being content t› hand them over to the religious supremacy of the priests and friars; believing that having taken care of the orthodoxy of their religion, they had government has never provel a success, and performed their whole duty. Sicardo al
that entirely independent of the oreel of the priesthood, whether their suprems head were the Pope of Rone or the Dalai Lımı of Tibet. That was plain for all to see, and