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September 13, 1909.j
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
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RANDOM REFLECTIONS.
Marvellous! The Post Office buildings are being treated to a coat of paint, or it may be two, a thing which hasn't been done before for years. Looks as if the authorities were not in hopes of getting into the new premises for some time when they are spending money in this way.
capital is forthcoming), and we cannot doubt | He commented on the absence of any that in the course of another ten or speculations on the subject in the European fifteen years there will be few parts of and American press and wondered whether the Empire from which the Capital may not it was that foreigners bad not carefully be reached in a fortnight. This, then, would studied the question, or whether they pur- largely dispose of the Prince's first argument, posely refrain from publishing their views but when His Excellency quotes the further It will generally be admitted that few men difficulty of securing uniform practice in the are better qualified to form a judgment ou provinces, every observer will recognise the question than the author of the con- that he points to a fatal weakness in the titution of Japan, and the warning he gives organisation of the Empire. The Prince in is one which the statesmen of China cannot his speech recalled that when he had a talk afford to disregard, at Tientsin with the late LI HUNG CHA NG he referred to the absurdly low revenue of the Chinese Government, in comparison with the enormous area of the Empire and the vastness of the population. He advised Li HUNG CHANG to readjust the taxation of the Empire with a view to raising sufficient revenue to establish a satisfactory Army and Navy, and also to reorganise the government. Lr's reply was that "since the Hun era, many hundreds of years ago, it had been impossible to improve the practice as regards taxation." The Japanese statesman thereupon_warned LI HUNG CHANG that unless the Imperial Government of China, was able to change the customs, not only of the HUN era, but others which had endured since the begin- ning of her history, China was never likely to progress, and might be exposed to danger. LI HUNG CHANG made no reply, but, possibly like the proverbial parrot, thought a great deal. There is no doubt that this lack of uniformity in administration mili- tates greatly against the success of con- stitutional government. As we have already suggested, there are at least a few among
In the "criminal conversation ** case the the statesmen of Peking who recognise the counsel on either side made the most of their essential need of uniformity, especially in opportunities for effective phrasing and pictur- the fiscal administration, but beyond the esque illustration. Sir Henry Berkeley seemed happy when he tried the "how-do-you-do-old- publication of memorials containing pious boy style of thing, and on the other hand, Mr. aspirations for a National Budget, a Slade apparently enjoyed going for the scandal- national currency and other highly neces-mongers, "the old cats of Kowloon. " The jury sary or desirable reforms before constitu. seemed the most unhappy of all. They wished tional government is definitely inaugurated, to be relieved from serving for quite a long time, we have nothing to report in the way of but the Chief Justice declined to accede to preparations for Magna Charta Day in their request. However, he did it so nicely that
I am sure the jury didn't mind.
China.
In speculating upon the success or failure of constitutional government in China, we cannot ignore the ominous symptoms of danger associated with the exercise of local autonomy. As Prince Iro remarked, local autonomy constitutes the foundation of constitutional government. The Prince hazarded the brief suggestion that it will be extremely difficult to establish even this foundation in China. By this, presumably, his Excellency meant that it would be difficult to work a system of local self-government in China so that it will prove a source of strength to the State rather than a fatal weakness. We have only to point to the history of the Self-Government Society of Canton to indicate the dangers to which local autonomy and the higher forms of constitutional government are likely to expose China until there is a great improvement in the political educa- tion of the franchise holders. Prince Iro suggested that it was worth considering how this movement in China would affect the general peace of the Far East. His Excellency referred to it as " undoubtedly a serious problein," and he asked what would be the fate of China if she should not succeed in establishing constitutional government.
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We might go further and ask what will be her fate if she does? Japan, Prince Iro told his hearers, would be very much affected by the result, whatever it was, and he advised that the Japanese, people should pay more attention than they have done to all developments of the constitutional government scheme in China.
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it not so, another authority would have to be created to suppress the nuisance created by the Sanitary Board.
legislative assembly should pass an ordinance It seems an extraordinary proceeding that giving powers for the suppression of a certain
nuisance and then withdraw it in order to try the effects of sweet persuasion. The anti-spitting clause is to be deleted from the Criminal Amendment Ordinance, and local Chinese are to be allowed an opportunity of checking the insanitary and disease-producing habit. It is to be hoped they will succeed.. The experiment will certainly be watched with interest.
CO
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"that's
Running across an ancient mariner the other day, he grumbled, as is the habit of mariners, ancient and otherwise, and the burden of his complaint was the lighting of the harbour. Pointing to the new light on Signal Hill with a scornful finger, he asked, "Can you see that light?" As I had had only one whisky-soda, I ventured the hesitating query, "Do you mean that bright light on the Taikoo wharf, or is it that one up above it blinking so fitfully and
Yes," said the ancient one, That feebly?".
him, the one up above." Having delivered himself thusly, he continued: Why, if the navigator of a ship wants, to see that light he would have to climb up the hill with his ship, a proceeding which would not be likely to meet with the enthusiastic approval of his owners or the insurance company. It reminds one of the near-sighted individual who on seeing a notice a lamp-póst climbed up to read it, and was much disgusted on discovering that the notice
"Wet Paint."
There has been an impression in the Colony that the heat begins to lessen in September, and not a few bathing parties are in consequence discontinued at the end of August. impression is not strengthened by the experience this year, and those who continue their bathing excursions have shown a wisdom which is to be commended.
on
The week's pabulum has shown a rare variety. There has been the "criminal conversation proceedings in Court, the visit of the evangelist party, the arrival of Bandmann's Merry Little Maids, the oratorical outburst at the Sanitary Board, and the interesting meeting of thean, Legislative Council, possessing some unusual
features.
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According to the Daily Press account of the first meeting of the visiting missionaries in Hongkong, Mr. Alexander showed a sporting spirit which must have appealed to a larger audience than faced him that night. The idea of offering a hymn book to anyone who would stand up and sing the chorus of a hymn just introduced was decidedly novel. A few sports took him at his word and went through the chorus with a quaver-I mean quiver and sat down with a feeling of triumph when the choirmaster complimented them on having done very well. How would the principle work out in the churches? I am afraid there would not take some other form. be a run on hymn books, but the prizes might
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The evangelists who "passed through" Hongkong would not feel highly flattered had they read the notice on the Star Ferry on Tuesday announcing that a late ferry would be run ten minutes after the conclusion of" the performance in the theatre." As the Theatre was occupied by the evangelists that night, it looks like a reflection on their methods. Revivalists are frequently charged with theatric ality, but not often so innocently as in this instance. It reminds me of the scoffer who What do you think of Parson
asked a friend : Blank as an actor?
What a time the Sanitary Board had on Tuesday! The members seemed to satiate themselves with all sorts of business and looked determined to exhaust the agenda as well as the unfortunate scribes whose duty it is to note the words of wisdom as they fall from the lips of members. Fortunately their task is lightened by the fact that they are expected to exercise their discretion, with the result that there are many words spoken and many speeches made which do not find their way into print. Were
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* In further conversation the ancient matiner pointed out that the light on Signal Hill was quite unnecessary, seeing that already there was a red buoy light guiding ships clear of all the dangers of Kowloon Bay. He suggested that the light on Signal Peak should be taken down, its power intensified, and placed where it would be of some value to shipping. As the Hon. Mr. Pollock raised the question some time ago of the necessity for lighting the entrance to the Canton river, it might not be out of place to suggest that a desirable home for the light could be found at Capsimun Pass.
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The visit of the Dutch squadron to Hongkong recalls the almost forgotten fact that three Netherlands ships of war were here nine years ago, and that when they went north to Shanghai they saved the situation there, so far as that port was concerned, at the time of the Boxer outbreak. They were the only ships of war present when the danger was most imminent. Another interesting fact is that the Hon. Mr. Hewett, who was then Chairman of the Shanghai Municipality, received decoration from the young Queen of Holland for the part he took in the reception accorded to the Dutch cruisers.
When the East Indies Squadron return here in the early part of November it might be pos- sible to arrange sports in which the men of all services could participate. It should be remem--{ bered that the Hollanders have acquired the football craze, and though they are not so expert with the leather as some of our best teams, they will doubtless be able to put up a good game.
RODERICK RANDOM.
The death is announced of Mr. George Baker, Superintendent of the Cosmopolitan and Inter- national Docks, Shanghai. The late Mr. Baker was a valued employee of the Shanghai Dock and Engineering Co., Ltd., and had been in the service of that firm and its predecessor, Messrs. S. C. Farnham, Boyd & Co., Ld., for several years. He was a man who was well-liked and respected by all who knew him, says the N C. Daily News. The late Mr. Baker married Miss Black, daughter of the late Mr. Daniel Black, who was for many years dockmaster at the Old Dock. He leaves a widow and two young daughters, Mr. Baker went to the General Hos- pital a short time ago suffering from dysentery but his friends did not realize that his condition was critical until quite late in the week.