Page
INTIMATION
A. S. WATSON
& CO., LTD.
ESTABLISHED 70 YEARS,
WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS
Sir Robert
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 1911,
| by night and even-stretch himself out to :
sleep on the desk of a steamboat. In the TELEGRAMS.
matter of freight, the Railway has to compete against rates ranging from one-third of a cent to two cents per ten per mile. So for
through trains will doubtless: be
Well
patronised for a time, but the novelty will
-soon wear off, and the multitude of Chinese passengers to whom time is no object will, as now, continue to travel by · water, But this is not to say that the prospects of tle Railway are unhopeful. When we see the traffle that has already developed on the sectios of the line now in operation we
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT.}
THE DEBATE IN THE COMMONS,
Lovuos, August 8th.
result in a futile deadlock.
there, the majority inside and outside the agree that it would be inadvisable in the than the circumstances of 1832, of which House were beginning to ask not unnaturally interests of the Stats that any communics Mr. Balfour seems to have a very asbulans whether the election just hell was to be tion regarding the intention of the Crown historical view. The Rafora Bill was only reduced to nullity and matters again should be medepublicuales and until actual once before the electorate. We are dealing. It was occasion should arise." That was the cont here with a Bill which has basu twice before munication made by the Cabinet to the King the electorate, in all its mala principles in on the 15th December. His Majesty, after January wall in all its details in Dezember. careful consideration of all the circumstances We are dealing with a Bill the principle past and present, and after discussing the of which has been twice contemnad in two matter in all its bearings with myself and successive Houses of Conatons, We are Lord Crewe, felt that he had no alternative dealing with a Bill rogarling which we have but to assent to our vice. Accordingly, not asked for the exercise of the Royal pre- on the 18th December I announced in the cogative until it had goes through all its House of Comraons that we had advised the stages in the House of Teds. In Lond King and he had accepted the advice to Gray's cars there had bæn one electión, aul dissolve Parliament, and during the debate ona election only. He demanded the exor - in answering the question put to me cise of the Royal prerogative bofore the Ball Mr. Wedgwood has asked me a question Hoito. Well, I make Mr. Balfour pre- by Mr. Wodgwood Iuged this language: had even been in eommittes in thio- other regarding the declaration I mule on the seat of any benefit he can get from the caso in every one of its details; but then you may say, and are entitled to say: Th country has approved of the Bill, but have the
as passenger traffic is concerned, the THE POLITICAL SITUATION 14th April, 1910, after careful consultation in these circumstances that on the with my colleagues and in language approved by them and communicated to the King, who was abroad, that I used these words in the House of Commons: "If the House of Lords fails to accept our policy and Jacline to consider it as formally presented to them, wo shall feel it our duty immediately to tender advice to the Crown regarding the Mr. Balfour, in moving a vote of censure steps which will have to be taken if that distant when there will be a very large upon the Government, affirmed that the Mi.policy is to receive statutory effect in this passenger traffic between intermediate points.nisters and abused their powers and had put that advice will be, of course, it would not be Parliament. What the precise terms of The Canton section of the Railway paasds themselves above the constitution for party right for me to say, but if we do not find through a very fortile country and the means
cannot but believe that the time is not far
nication with Canton on tisa one side and Kowloon on the other will certainly be welcomed by the people living within easy rouch of the line, and it may safely be pro dicted that in the concre of a few years the population of the district will be very much larger than it is today. Wharover
Both Mr. Asquith and Mr. Balfour were cheered on entering the House of Commons to-day. The House was thronged.
pronouncing upon Home Rula. He thought that Ministers should be especially careful in advising a new Sovereign, whom they had placed in a cruel position. He believed the advice was given eight nibatlıs ago.
-shall
Burnett & Co.'s railways hate boat constructed in China: 30 Surrenderites" qud the bron a tag the advice that, may answer to that prontion a few moments
CELEBRATED
OLD
TOM
GIN
DRY GIN
IMPORTED AND JOTTLED IY.
A. S. WATSON & CO..
LIMITED,
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.
(25
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MARRIAGE. On Jano 21st, 1911, at the Methodist Church, Clabby, by the Hav. R. Gon, Wst. Greuge WARNOCK, late Inspector Police, Hongkong to MARY JANE (Miauio); dily dungliter of the inte James Murphy, Einarne, Temp, Co. Fermanagh.
HONGKONG OFFIon: 10a, Das Vœux RAD C LONDON OFFICE: 131, Fleet Strail, EO
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, August 9ra, 1911.
there las followed a rapid development of the cuntry traversed by the liuo. It will doubtless be some years yet before our over" capitalised section of the Railway begins to be remunerative, but connected as the
"No Surrenderites" and ridiculing the idea of rovolution.
Mr. F. E. Smith contouded that Mr. Asquithi gave the advice he did to the King because Mr. Redmond orJored it and urgel the Unionists not to submit to a campaign
THE PREMIES RECLT.
LATER. Mr. Asquith said-Though there was no excessive kiudliness in the tone of Mr. Bal four's speech, my first duty is to tender bim
accepted
Governmout while I was
Canton-Kowloon line will be with the great trunk line to Hankow, which the Chiven Government are intent on completing with { of bluff. all possible celerity, we cannot doubt, that the Kowloon Railway will in timió contribute greatly to the prosperity of the port,· Them will be scope both for the steamboats and the Railway, and the community will hope that concurrently with a great development of railway traffie the steamboats will alsuon behalf of the Government and its suppor have their full share of the increased trade ters our most grateful acknowledgments. wo may confidently expect from the opening up of the interior by railways.
This opportune motion is the very thing we wanted, for on one hand it gives representa tires of the Government an opportunity such as no discussion upon the Lords amendments could afford to stute to the country with clearness and precision the grounds. for the advice tendered to the Crown. On the other band, it gives the House an opportunity of stating with equal clear, we should continue. in the then existing have been held in circumstances which would see on the frout hench during the general
which the country repudiated. And here comes in another vital point differentiating this case from the Roform Bill and favouring the constitutional course pursued by the
of the Bill, and nothing but the Bill. But as Gavernment in 1832. It was the question
everybody knows in December, 1910, that was not the question. There was the Bill on the one hand, and Lord Lats downe's
scheme on the other, the referendum and all the rest of it, and I may add, as Mr. Balfour has chosen to intro- duse the topic of Home Rule, that on the Opposition side there was not a single. speech niade by a single gentleman whom I
afforded by the Railway for rapid commu- purposes so as tó prevent the country from ourselves in the position of receiving the 14th April. That declaration, the tanginge analogy. The truth is, this is a far stronger
answer that statutory effect shall be given of which was carefully choson, represents thereto in this Parliament, we now and did then the intention of the then either resign or recommend dissohn. Govorament. I any say'at oase, and I am tion." Hero came the important words quite sure that hon. members on both sides Lords gons beyond their legitimate sphere "Let me odd this, that in no case will we will recognise the justice and, I hope, the iu amendment and reconstruction within the recommend dissolution except on such commonsense of uny position when I decline limits of the principles which the country The debate was continued in a good conditions that will secure that in the new altogether and continue to decling to make tas
so approved ? Well, and ther expressed at the election will be carried into have been givou or may hereafter be given age from the other part of the House. law." That is very plain language, which by a responsible Minister to the Crown. Let us so what is the Bill now, Is it the represents the deliberate policy of the Gov- The King stands aloof from all political and Bill which the country hay approvel? erament, sad Was so understood and electoral conflicts, and it is the duty of all Does it bear any but the most superficiat
at the time, not only by subjoats and Ministers to maintain and resemblance to that Bill?
I see some our
friends, but by our autagonists.socuire his absolute detachment from the I learned commentators maintain that there That policy was announced by me to the aroma of party politice. I hope our friends are some fifty-seventy lines of the Bill as it country. That is the only observation 1 will have sufficient confidence in the Govern- returned from the Lordswhich are identisał make in reply to what I think was thement and be content with that statement." with the Bill as it left the Commons. Yes; unhappy reference made by Mr. Bal. What was the alternative P We might but it has had grafted upon it in Lord four to the new King. That policy was have resigned. If wa had resigned the Lansdowne's amendment the very alternative announced by me བླློu- the Eoad King undoubtedly would have sent for the of the
till Loader of the Opposition, who might or King Edward's Minister. Within a month might not have undertaken the respon- his reign was prematurely and most sibility of forming a government. If he did followed, and for the best part of six months If he did, of course, it is a matter of common unexpectedly ended. A political truce not, tlion matters remained as they wore.
there was honest, continuous and well-knowledge that a government so formed inspired agreement, That experiment could not have existed a week in the then finally broke down. Ab endeavour was House of Commons, for the sufficient reason ade by the loading representatives of both that that House would have refused to partios in the State to arrive at a settlement grant supply. A dissolution therefore was by the early part of November. We then inevitable, so there is no ground whatever reverted to the situation as it stood in april. for thinking that dissolution would not What was the first question that we as have been attended with the same results. Ministers had to determine. It was whether A dissolution under those conditions would
Parliament or advise i dissolution, having have made it almost impossible to keep the election of 1910 in which the country w ness and emphasis whether that advice truly regard in both cases to tny declaration inthe name and authority of the King out of the not warned against Home Raulo, and. by no- reflects the opinion and judgment of the preceding year. Under the circumstances, arena of electoral conflict. The King no body in clearer terms than Mr. Balfour. chosen representatives of the people, Mr. and after the fullest consideration, we doubt thought this was a matter which (Mr. Austin Chamberlain interrupting-I Balfour has complained that I did not give thought it right.to advise a dissolution, as was peculiarly incumbent upon him to only alluded to it in a single speech.) Mr. nearly a year had passed since the Gegral safeguard. I never used either publicly or Asquith continuing said-I apologize, but him in support of what was apparently Election. We wore in a new raigu, and there privately the words guarantee or pledge in although he said it in only a single specch hypothetient vote of censura materials in had been much discussion of the question regard to this matter. They are he said it so emphatically that that speech, advance from which he could ascertain at issue. Moreover, our plan was actually which seem singularly inappropriate to was placarded on almost every wall in every whether his hypothesis was well-founded ormulate in the shape of a Bill, and on the describe a purely conditional understanding constituency. But what is the use of talk- or not but the only point he raised on the whole it appeared to us that the arguments such as that which purposely left opening of that! Everybody knows that wast for dissolution were overwhelmingly strong, certain contingencies which might or might the bogey set up by gentlemen opposite. motion is this: Whether under the circuin- but we clearly opined at the same time that not arise. Nothing can be more absurd They tried to buy votes for the referen- stances in which we stand with the Vutoit would be neither honourabla nor justifiable than to suggest, what I think Mr. Balfour dum by representing that the effect of the Bill, twice approved in principle and once to go into an election lindfold. In the suggested, that the existence of such a Parliament Bill if carried would be to carry approved in all its details by the electors, first place, there was my deliberate confidential understanding between the Home Rule, so that we have bore again a passed through the House of Commons by pledge given to the House of Commons in Sovereign and his Ministers introduced any much stronger case--I am dealing now only continuous overwhelming majorities, and the name of my colleagues-the Govern element of unreality into the subsequent with the constitutional question-for the now met by the Lords by so-called amendment pledge I read a moment ago. A discussion on the Bill when it came oxercise of the royal prerogative than ever. ients, which are really changes funda great many hard words are being used about before both Honees of Parliament, existed in 1832, because not only has our mental ic character and fatal to its me now, but I do not mind in the least., The Opposition seems to scorn-that. Bill been twice before the country but the
The body of a Chinese male, agel about 59; was found in Bowrington Cand on Monday.
A meeting of the Legislative Council is callal for to-morrow. Four bills are down for art reading,
The plague return for last week was 13 ass and 10 deaths, Yesterday four fresh cases were reported, bringing the total op to 252.
A Chinore who was found by the police in Queen's Bond, in a very sick state was removed to hospital, bat died on the way.
Captain George Aukera, lato master of the U. S transport Dix, died of heart disease at his home in San Francisco on Juns 29.
With reference to a paragraph which appeared in our issao of yesterday stating that damage had been done to a wall at Takoo, we under stand this does not apply to the Djeka,
The police have been informed by a Chinese women, a passenger on thee..iniching that while sho as standing on the deck some person picked
her pocket and stole a purse containing $134 in money.
No serious damage was done at Macao by las week's storm. Ons Chine Louse collapsed, and nine men were mixed up with the debris for a time. All were resoned, but some were mere or less injured.
Dr. Nesom has resigned his post as director of agriculture in the Philippius. He has been offered the post of dean of the agricultoral do partment of the University of Porto Rico, but will not consider the offer, as his plans have long been made to enter private business is the Philippines.
[
wards
purposes, it is not the constitutional Harder words would have been used, suggestion. I tell them why there was Lords' alternative scheme has also been ·Le-. duty of Ministers of the Crown to advise words which I should have minded, if, aftornover any question of obtaining the Royal fore the country and as decisively rejected. the Crown, if the Lords refuse to give way,u declaration of that kind, my colleagues, and assent in advance to a cast-iron legislative Now I ask what under these conditions, to use its prerogative for a creation of peers 1, with the thousands and millions in the scheme to be rammel through Parliament.according to the law and practice of the in order to carry out the will of the people country who reposed trust in us, had been The King's consent would never be askel. British constitution, if the Lords will not Mr. Balfour asked me when the advice was false to our trust. We would have been rightly and I am perfectly certain would never have give way, what outlet, what way of giren. My answer is that it was given in accused of what I see I am accused by been granted, to any such proposal. The escape is there open to us? Will any A Chinese contractor residing in Ship Street regard to the existing situation when a the orators and Pressmen of the Opposition, Bill was always treated by us, and is trusted gentleman opposite tell me? I puti reports to the police that he was approached by situation had arisen from which no othere on treachery and trickery. I might rightly have now, as we simll see to-morrow, as a Bill that question. to them now Barly i awan who wanted an estimate for effecting stitutional outlot was possible. It was given been accused of both treachery and trickery approved in principle by the electorate, and the debate--will some of them rise in the sundry repairs in a kitoben. He was invited to and accepted in reference to that situation, had i under those conditions gone into therefore should be carried in principle course of the evening and, given my assump inspect the promises, which were in Canton Road; Kowloon, but he was no sooner in the it is by review of that situation, how it a dissolution without any understanding into law, but as susceptible to any reason- tion that the Parliament Bill has been de house than thres men outered bound and arose and what it involves, that the question But, secondly, and quite apart from any disable amendment which is not fatal to its liberately approved by the electors and that In view of the early opening of the Korloon-gagged him, and relieved him of money and must be answered whether or not the advice tinct and deliberate pledge, we should not principles. It was only in the possible the alternative scheme of the referendinan, Canton Railway for through traffe, the jewellery to tho value of $120.
was warranted and justified. But when have thought it right, to plunge event of its rejection, which has not has been deliberately repudiated and that Chairman of the Hongkong. Cunton and
I say that the advice was tendered in view the country a second time within nearly a
occurred, or its mutilation by the other the Lords have insisted on putting the re- Maeno Stanbent Co., at the half-yearly meeting of shareholders resforday made an
It was my hope and strong belief that the man opposite to rise up and tell me what derstanding" was ever intended to apply. given this assumption, I challenge any gentle- Lords when they got the Bill would show by is the constitutional solution of the situation. their treatment that they recognised and As for authorities, they are absolutely tion of pressure to give substantial effect to great eminence, professor Dicey. He ways in were prepared without pressure or sugges. unanimous. I only mention one of very
the decisive wishes of the electors." It was his classic work on the subject: "Tho point
a
The confidence trick was successfully played of existing circunstances, it must be year into the cost and turmoil ot a General House which has occurred, that that "un-forendum in place of the Parliamont Bill,
on Monday, the victim on this occasion. being
possessed berselt of jewellery to the value of
that there should be no mystery or mis-course, when we came to the conclusion that
sampan woman. She was approached in the clearly understood that I do not mean Election unless we could have felt sure that interesting reference in his speech is the usual way by a man who told her he had just in the least to convey that there had if the country gave a decisive result in our impending competition. Even beforst was found a bundle of notes, but was afraid to cash not boon any previous communications as favour our policy, subject to full. Parlia known that the cost of constructing the Rail them would she do it for him? Of course she events developed between the Sovereign und nentary discussion, would be regarded as way would be more than double the orginal consent, and was haado e bandkerchief con- Ministers on the subject. As it is desirable for the time being definitely closed. Of estimate, we expressed, the view that the tainlog what she thought wars the notes, Be- Railway would not injuriously afted the fore aho was allowed to depart she was asked to understandings over a perfectly simple and it was our duty to advise the King to dis- interests of the steamboat companies, e-leave some security with the mas, and she dis-correct transaction, I many be allowed to say solve Parliament, we accompanied our od. only when that hope was frustrated, as it where the Lords must yield or the Crow gaged in the Hongkong and Canton hade $178. In due course she discovered that the that at the King's strong desire and there.vice on the 15th January, 1910, with this and consented to exercise his preroge anything which conclusively shows that the was last month, that the Kiug was asked must interyone is properly determined by because the Railway cannot possibly compete bandis contained nothing but paper and that fore, of course, with expressed permission, I statement: Ministers cannot take the re- with stounboats either in the matter of the man was nowhere to be found.
am able to disclose communications which sponsibility of advising a dissolation unless it calls in my judgment for no words pute the deliberate decision of the nation." tive. That is the whole proceeding, and Comutous represents in the matter in dis pastanger fures or freights. This the
have hitherto been treated both by the they may understand that in the event of of apology or even defence. riow taken by Mr. FuHRMANN in his speech Hazeland at the Magistracy yesterday when these mattors clear I must go back to the by an adequate majority in the
An interesting story was related to Mr.
King and Ministers as confidential. To the policy of the Government being approved the only course, consistent with considera-plore it. You may think the nation was We took Well, will that be disputed? You may de yesterday. We do not think it probable,"
women and two men appeared before him on 9th April, 1910, when the so-called Veto House your Majesty will be ready to exercise dignity of the Crown. For my part, speak. You may be convinced that argument ank he said, "that the Railway can compete with
How tions of honour and due regard to the misled, befooled, or defrauded if you like. us and ye make a proft". Without wing goods knowing them to have been stolen. It resolutions were approved by large his constitutional powers which may involve too optimistic, he and his co-directors appears that a refugee from Canton occupied a majorities in the House of Commons, the
ing for myself and colleagues, I am prerogative of creating pecre
experience will in course of time muse the perfectly content to abide by the judgment country to change its mind. That I ca think the shareholders have no need house near Ship Street, bat during the typhoon and the Parliament Bill founded there. if needed to secure that effect
of the Commons and my fellow-countrymen. conceive: But do you dispute the fact! I to fear any general adverse effect from the he thought it was about to collapse and he on had been introduced. King Edward be given to the decision of the countryNow I return the real question raised by state in a sentence why the fact is indisput ibly carry third-class passengers as deeply place for a day or two, and then he discovered to remember that there was every reason ance of keeping the name of the King out tional in the existing circumstances for the there is no alternative Government possible. He did not look near the was then on the Throne. I ask the House Ministers are fully alive to the. import the motion: Ie it or is it not constituable. Everybody knows at this women that the house had been cleared of all the to believe that his life and reign would of the sphere of party and electoral as the steamboats carry dock passeigars, furniture. A report was made to the police, who be prolongtil. It was notorious that when controversy. They take upon themselves as Executive to advise the Crown to be rady By alternative Government, and even if it did, it is vay improbable that discovered all the furniture in a house in our resolutions were carried by the House, a duty entire and exclusive responsibility to exercise its prerogative for the purpose Government to which the House of this class of passenger would prefer to adjacent street. They had taken adsant go of journey to Cantou packed in a way the owner's absence to remove everything from and were shortly to come before the Lords, for the policy which they will place before the of passing the Parliament Bill? That Commons would give its confidence. carriage, when he can travel comfortably the house.
that they might be laid aside or rejected electors. Your Majesty will doubtless qucation admits of only one answer.
shall be 'very much surprised if anybody
charges of breaking and entering and receiving
new competitor. The Railway cannotpons-hurried out of it.
ahill
The
circumstances are unique, and far stronger
I mean
I