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so in a shifting fog all rocks and trees lose their identity and are not recognizable-seen for a second or two and then covered up again, it is impossible to locate them with certainty, but a structure of lines and angles, seen if only for a moment, differing altogether from surrounding objects, speaks for itself, and I would suggest if not a house, some form of beacon, either cone or obelisk shaped, with a pole and basket on top rather high up as fogs drift around in bunches and layers, and what may be visible at one level may not be so lower down or higher up. Such structure should ba distinctively coloured. Striped black and red are, I think, the best seen colours in a fog.
CHAS. V. LLOYD, Master, S. S. Fatshan.
Hongkong May, 6th 1909.
Letter from Capt. Clarke.
Hongkong, 14th May, 19 9. SI,-In reply to your inquiries, the general opinion of our Commanders is that the most suitable situation for the light would be on the Southern end of Kapsing Island at an elevation of 3 feet above high water.
Light. Bright, occulting, or sixth order, visible for five miles on a clear night.
Structure. Similar to a-wan Island light- house. This would be considered a good distinc. tive mark in a fog during day time. Fog-signal.-Bell, worked automatically as in use on the Iron Barrier near Whampoa. In fog or thick rain sound would be a safer warning than the off-chance of seeing the structure of the light tower. I recommend this suggestion to the consideration of your Committee -I am, &c.,
W. E. CLARKE, Secretary. Hongkong Canton
and Macao Steamboat Co.
E. A. M. Williams. Esq..
Secretary, Chamber of Commerce,
It was decided to forward to the Government & of the letter received from Capt. W. E.
copy Clarke containing the views of the Commanders of vessels of that Company. The Committee endorsed the views therein expressed.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
¦
INDIAN LABOUR.
15th March, 1909. Sr, I am directed to enquire whether in the opinion of your Chamber any opening exists for the employment of Indian labour indentured or unindentured, in this Colony and whether they consider that facilities with regard to pas- sage and provisions of land should be given to encourage Indian immigration. I am, &c.,
[June 7, 1909.
Commonwealth and elsewhere as they may desire. The following letter was received from the Cordial invitations to delegates have been Gevernment :-
received from several cities in New Zealand, (Auckland, Canterbury and Dunedin), also from Launceston (Tasmania) and Honolulu (where the Vancouver-Sydney boat calls), and, though it has been found impossible to arrange collec- tive visits to these places, it is hoped that many will be able individually to take advantage of the invitations during the course of their journey. The Organising Committee suggest that the visit to New Zealand will come more con- veniently at the conclusion of the Australian tour.Yours faithfully,
KENRIC B. MURRAY,
Secretary. Enclosures, Official Programme, Steamer Booklet, Blank letters of identification, were laid on the table.
F H. MAY,
Colonial Secretary.
The Secretary, the Chamber of Commerce.
The following reply was forwarded to the Government:-
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,
27th April, 1909. SIR-I have the honour to reply to your letter (No. 1725/1909) of the 15th March, 1909, re- questing an expression of opinion from this Chamber as to whether any opening exists for the employment of Indian Labour in this Colony and whether facilities with regard to passage and provision of land should be given to encourage Indian immigration.
My Committee, having consulted several employers of labour, have been informed that there is no opening for Indian Labour in- dentured, or unindentured. In fact, there are Indians in the Colony at present who cannot find employment.
My Committee consider that market require ments are amply met, at present, by the supply of Lative labour. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary,
Hon. Mr. F. H. Way, C.M... Colonial Secretary.
SEVENTH CONGRESS OF CHAMBERS OF
COMMERCE OF TH EMPIRE. Further letter from London
hamber:
Oxford Court, Cannon Street. London EC., 12th March. 1909. INTE NATIONAL CONVENTIO OF 1906.
DEA SIRI beg to confirm my Circular Colonial Secretary's Office,
letter No. 3. dated 3rd November, 1908. Hongkong. 13th April, 1909. I have st to hear from a large number SIR, With reference to your letter of the 24th of Chambers whether or not they intend to be of March I am directed to po1ut ou* to you that represented at the Congress, though, owing to the particular question i was referied to in the length of time necessary for communication the despatch of the Secretary of State of the between London and ydney, it is very desirable 21st January last, transul ted a my letter of that not only the names of delegates, but resoln. the 26th of February was whether this Colony tions for the Programme, should reach me much should adhere to the International Convention earlier than usual. It is as yet impossible tó of 26th September, 1906, respecting the prohibi-fix upon a definite date as being the last day tion of the use of White Phosphorus in the manufacture of matches,
It is on that question that this Government desires to obtain the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce.-I am, &c.,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary. The Secretary, Chamber of ommerce,
Reply to Government :-
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce,
27th April, 1909. Sir, I now directed to reply to your letter (No. 3699/1907), of the 13th instant in which the Government desires the opinion of the Chamber as to whether or not this Colony should adhere to the International Convention of the 26th September 1906, respecting the prohibition of the use of White Phosphorus in the manufacture of matches.
My Committee consider that, for precisely the same reasons as were advanced by the Representatives of the Imperial Government for the non-adherence of Great Britain on this point, this Colony should not adhere to the Convention.
As pointed out in the memorandum accom- panying your letter, it has been proved that the evils traceable to the use of White Phosphorus in the manufacture of matches can be success- fully suppressed by regulation.
There appears, therefore, no adequate justifica- tion for the adoption of measures calculated to hamper trade.
My Committee desire to thank His Excellency the Governor for referring this matter to them. I have &c.,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Secretary. Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.
|
upon which nominations and resolutions will be accepted, but, so fur at any rate as resolutions are concerned, it is obvious that several months must be allowed in order that Chambers may have the opportunity of considering the various subjects and instructing their delegates in regard to voting. I would therefore urge upon all Chambers the desirability of giving their
mmediate attention to those matters.
I have pleasure in enclosing herewith the first draft of the Official Programme, and shall be glad in due course to aid any resolutions you may desire placed thereon in your name. A second draft will be circulated as soon as circum. stances permit.
As you are no doubt aware, special arrange. ments have been made with the steamship com- panies trading to Australia, and I hand you herewith a booklet giving full particulars in this connection. You will notice that the re- duced rates are available not only for delegates, but for members of their families travelling with them. Applications for these tickets must be accompanied, in each case, by a letter of identification, signed by the Secretary of the nominating hamber, and I am sending you enclosed, forms for the purpose I have for- warded copies of the booklet direct to all dele- gates nominated to date.
A draft programme of entertainments to be offered to delegates has been drawn by the Australian Committee, in accordance with which visits will be paid, subsequent to the Congress proper to the principal cities of the Common- wealth (excepting Perth, West Australia, where it is hoped delegates will be able to call on the outward or homeward journey).
This tour in Australia will probably extend over three weeks, and at its close delegates will be at liberty to make such other visits in the
UNITED STATES MONETARY COMMISSION.
Reply from Mr. Moreton Frewen:
March 12th, 1909.
Washington, D.C DEAR SIR, I have returned to Washington six weeks later than I had anticipated and so have only now received your letter of the 10th of December and the Report of the Chamber for which I am much obliged.
The evidence taken by the Commission for the next three months will be for the most part banking and currency, the Exchange evidence will occupy next Winter and Spring. I should not be surprised if there is material of importance from England also. The Chancellor of Exchequer has under consideration a suggestion to issue "crown notes" secured by silver (the proposal of the Royal Currency Commission of 1888) with which to pay the weekly old-age pensions. With the silver contents of a shilling worth hardly more than fourpence the profit on the operation is attractive. Here ongress is to he occupied wi li Tariff Revision, but the state of the Exchanges with Asia is much on the minds of the representative from the Pacific Coast States.
I think if any member of your Chamber should he available next Autumn or Winter, it might with r. T. H. he well to communicate Whitehead of the Bank of India, Australia and China, London. Mr. Whitehead will know where I am-Believe me, yours faithfully.
MOET N F EWE.
RE-ORGANISATION OF THE FINANCES OF THE
CHINESE EMPIRE.
Reply to Government:-
Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, 7th April, 1909. SIR-In reply to your letter of 11th February, 19 9. (No. 5778/1904), requesting the observations of the Chamber regarding a scheme framed by the Board of Finance for the reorganising of the Finances of the Chinese Empire, I am directed to state that my Com- mittes do not feel in a position to criticiss exhaustively so large and far-reaching a scheine, but the centralisation of control, which seems to be the essence of the new Regulations, would be an important step forward and greatly assist in the birth of a purer administration.
Needless to say my Committee are entirely sympathetic towards any proposals calculated to confer benefit upon the people of China. I have &c.,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS, Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretray.
•
INTRODUCTION INTO THIS COLONY OF A GOVERNMENT NOTE ISSUE.
The following letter was received from the Government:-
Colonial Secretary's Office,
15th April, 19 9. SIR, I am directed to inform you that H.E. the Governor has at the present time under consideration the question of the introduction the lines of the system already adopted in the in this Colony of a Government Note Issue on Straits Settlements and I to inquire what are the views of your Chamber on the subject.
This matter was last under consideration in 1899 when the Government decided to await Settlements, which appears to have been attended the result of the experiment in the Straits