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944
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
3. His Excellency the Governor has therefore | SHEWAN, TOMES & CO. decided to order both bogie trucks and short
trucks for use on the railway. I have &c.,
F. H. MAY,
Colonial Secretary.
Chamber of Commerce,
The Secretary,
NEW TYPHOON HARBOUR OF REFUGE.
The following le ters were read :---
Hongkong, 23rd April, 1908.
To the Chairman,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, SIE,We, the undersigned, agents and representatives of British lines and owners of vessels visiting this port, beg to bring to your notice that we consider the sch: me as set forth in the Colonial S oretary's letter of the lith March, addressed to the Chamber of Commerce, which has recently been published, distinctly prejudicial to the interests of shipping, which is the mainstay and livelihood of the whole Colony. So much has been said in past years by your Chamber on this particular point that we think that it is hardly necessary for us to particularise once more the many arguments against the taxation of shipping.
In view of the fact that the proposed refuge is to be erected to protect lighters and native cargo boats in case of a typhoon, it
to appears us that there are many concerns closely allied to shipping on which we think some part of the cost of the proposed work might fail. As an instance, we consider that underwriters are as much concerned as shipowners, inasmuch as it is of great value for them to know that craft will have a place of refuge in the event of a severe storm. We therefore consider that the contribution towards the expenses should be made more general and that the onus should not fall too much on the shoulders of the shipping trade.
As however the shelter is in the interests of the welfare of the Colony, and the shipping generally has a certain interest at stake, we think that a temporary increase in the light dues would be agreed to by shipowners without opposition provided it were based on a somewhat modified arrangement as regards payment.
During 1907 the registered tonnage of shipping visiting this port is put down at roughly 10,300,000, tons. We therefore think that if the toonage dues are increased by cent per ton and the cst of the work spread of a longer term of years (than that suggested) it would be more equitable and the distribution of the payment would be much better divided.
We would point out that of late years the tonnage of steamers has materially increased, it however does not follow that more cargo is being brought in or taken away from the Colony. On the other hand the dues, owing to the size of the vessels, are considerably increased.
We have made no mention regarding the proposed site of the shelter as we consider that this is best left to practical experts with which you are no doubt consulting. We however venture to think that the cost of the work as mentioned in the Colonial Secretary's letter is somewhat extravagant and trust that before the scheme is finally sanctioned a more economical and at the same time an equally efficient refuge can be evolved. You are so fully cognisant of the depressed state that shipping is in at the present time that it is hardly necessary for us to draw your attention to this fact, but as such is the case we trust that money will not be spent unnecessarily, as the times seem to call for economy in expenditure in every direction.
We wou'd also draw your attention to the fact that under Notification No. 169 Schedule to Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance 1899 passed on the 4th February last, the licence fees for cargo janks and lighters has been increased 10 per cent. We should feel much obliged if you would kindly enlighten us as to why this tax has been increased and to what purpose the Government intend to devote the revenue derived therefrom.
We shall be obliged if your Committee will give their attention to the points we have raised before replying to the letter addressed to your Chamber by the Colonial Secretary.
F. J. ABBOTT,
We are, &c.,
Acting Superintendent P. & O. S. N. Co.
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General Managers, China Manila S.S. Co.,
Ltd.
General Agents, American Asiatio S.S. Co. Agents, Shire Line of Steamers, BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents, Ocean Steamship Co., Ltd. Agents, China Mutual Steam Navigation
Co., Ltd.
Agents, China Navigation Co., Ld. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., LTD.
General Managers, Indo-China S.N. Co. Agents, Indra Line.
DODWELL & Co.. Lrp.
W. E. CLARK, Secretary, Hongkong,
Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Ltd. D. W. CRADDOCK,
General Traffic Agent, Canadian Pacific
Railway Co.,
DOUGLAS, LAPRATK & Co.,
[May 30, 1908.
to believe that the scheme first originated in the Settlement of Shanghai, and that the prizes offered were money prizes. The Court of Consuls declaring this to be a lottery the Association notified the Yarn Merchants of the Northern Port that the prises would be in kind i.e. yarn.
The conditions of the lottery are fully set forth in the translation of the circular.
My Committee desire to bring to the notice of the principal Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain the fact that the yearly yarn imports of the port of Hongkong are roughly valued at $25,000,000. Mexican Dollars, and that of this large amount 90 per cent is Indian and 10 per cent the Japanese article.
The British firms conducting this important branch of the Empire's trade do not fear fair competition, but they have strongly represented to this Chamber that the proposed lottery is
General Managers. Douglas Steamship Co., calculated to appeal to the gambling instincts GIBB, Livingston & Co.,
Ltd.,
Agents, E. & A. §/S Co., Ltd., Agents, "Ben" Line of Steamers MCGREGOR BROS, & Gow,
General Managers, Glen Line of Steamers.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,
1st May, 1908. SIR, I am directed to forward you a copy of a joint letter from agents and representatives of British lines and owners of vessels visiting this port, addressed to this Chamber and having reference to the proposals of His Excellency the Governor regarding the typhoon refuge to be constructed at Mongkokteni.
I am to state that my Committee endorse the opinion of the signatories that the proposal of His Excellency to increase the light dues on Ocean going vessels by 14 cents per ten, and on river steamers by cent per ton, should be, in equi y, modified and the number of years over which it may become necessary to spread this taxation thereby increased.
My Committee consider that the cent per ton increase on Ocean going vessels suggested by the agents and representatives is a more equitable arrangement than that proposed by His Excellency. By this means the burden is lightened to shipowners, and it may reasonably be assumed that the payment for the refuge, which will be equally in the interests of those to come, is thereby rendered more general.
It would also spear that the proposed increase of 1/2 cent per ton for river steamers is likely to prove a heavy tax in view of the numerous entries of these boats.
My Committee concur in the views expressed by the signatories to the endlosed letter as to the apparently excessive cost of the proposed refuge, and I am to state that my Committee would greatly appreciate an opportunity of viewing the plans and estimates for the the scheme. They would then be in a better position to give an intelligent opinion on the subject.
Reference is made in the enclosed letter to an amendment to Merchant Shipping Consoli- dation Ordinance 1899 under Notification No. 169 whereby licence fees for cargo junks and lighters were increased 100 per cent.
My Committee would beg you to supply them with the information necessary for the reply to the query.
I am to request you to be good enough to thank His Excellency for the opportunity accorded to my Committee for commenting on this subject,-I am, &c.,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretary,
Hon. F. A. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial secretary.
JAPANESE YARN LOTTERY.
The following letters were read:-
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 30 March, 1908. SIE,-At a meeting of the Committee of this Chamber held on the 27th instant, an instance of the, unfortunately, well-knowu un. fair trade methods adopted by some Japanese Merchants came up for discussion.
Te enclosed press cuttings include what this Chamber is assured is a correct translation of a circulars recently issued to Chinese Yarn Mer chants in this Colony by the Japan Cotton Spinners' Association. My Committee are led
of the Chinese Merchants in the Yarn trade, and to artificially foster the Japanese trade to the detriment of the Indian trade.
My Committee therefore hope that your Chamber will assist this Chamber by strongly protesting through the usual diplomatic obannes, and requesting the assistance of dis Majesty's Government in the protection of British trade. I am &c.,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary. The Secretary,
London Chamber of Commerce,
London, Similar letters were also sent to the following Chambers-Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow.
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce.
8th April, 1908. SIR.I am directed to request you to be good enough to lay before your Committee the enclosed copy of a letter which this Chamber has forwarded to the following Chambers of Commerce in Great Britain, viz: London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford and Glasgow.
serious
the letter together with the accompanying press cuttings fully set forth grievance which the importers of Indian Yarn at this Port consider they have against the Japan Cotton Spinners' Association.
My Committee feel that they can rely upon the co-operation of your Chamber in this matter and trust your Committee will join them in seeking the aid of the principal Chambers in Great Britain in their audeavour to protect so important a branch of British trade.
My Committee are also requesting the sup- port of the Tientsin Chamber I am, &c.,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary
The Secretay, Shanghai Chamber of Com-
merce, Shanghai. Similar letters were also sent to the Tientsin and Bombay Chambers of Commerce,
Colonial Secretary's Office, 18th May, 1908. SIE, With reference to the circular recently issued by the Japanese Yarn Spinner's Associa tion regarding the issue of lottery tickets in bales of yarn, I am directed to inform you that the Consul for Japan was informed on the 21st ultimo that such issue would constitute an infringement of the Gambling Ordinance and was regnested to warn the Mitsui Bassan Kaisha and other Japanese firms accordingly.
The Police have not succeeded in discovering any cases of such issue of lottery tickets as yet. -1 am Sir, Your obedient servant,
The Secretary,
F. H. MAY. Colonial Secretary.
General Chamber of Commerce,
PRACTICE OF LANDING GOODS INTO GODOWNS BY SHIPÓWNERS,
The following correspondence was read:-
Hongkong 29th April, 1908. SIR, I have been asked by a firm at Hamburg to ascertain, whether there exists in Hongkong any local usage or rules according to which a steamer of a steamship line is bound to land and deliver the goods on the ship's expenses at Hongkong in a godown instead of delivering such goods alongside the ship.
The firm goes on to say: "undoubtedly some steamship lines do as afore-mentioned, but
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