THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 18TH, 1924.
Straw Hats
Henry Heath Straw
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CORRECT
B
In Style. Fit and Quality,
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GREEN ISLAND CEMENT CO., LTD.
Best Portland Cement
SHEWAN, TOMES & CO.,
GENERAL MANAGERS,
· HONGKONG.
HONGKONG "CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.”
*(Continued from Saturday.) BREAK DOWN OF TELEGRAPHIO COMMUNICATION WITH
CANTON,
MAIL SERVICE TO THE FAR EAST.
It is highly satisfactory to ante a great improvement in the mail services between the Colony and Europe during 1993. Spezial arrangements were made by the Postmaster-General, London, for the con veyance of mail overland to Brindisi, For almost the entire period under which had a good effect in speeding up review, interrupted cable communication the delivery of outward mails. The dela between Canton and Hongkong has en- in the mail services formed the subject gaged the very serious attention of your of considerable correspondence, about a Committee, and everthing possible has been year ago, in the London and leading pro- done to mitigate the evil, with, it must be vincial newspapers: it was also discussed | "confessed, little practical result." The in-at the Conference of the Association of terruption still continues, necessitating British Chambers of Commerce in China the dispatch of all cables in transit for and Hongkong, held in Shanghai i Canton by post from Hongkong, nqt only February, when a Resolution, proposed by involving serious delay but forming a this Charsher, calling for an improved menacing handicap to the important Can-service was unanimously carried ton silk trade.
The
Chamber's statement of the local situa- tion as it appeared at that time is con- tained in Appendix D.
METAL CONTRACTS-FORCE MAJEURE.
Advice was given by the Chamber on a claim of Force Majeure in respect of the Ruhr Occupation. It was held that, ií no mention is made in the contract of the country of origin, force majeure in one supplying centre does not relieve the seller of his obligation to fall his con- tract. (Appendix H). SWATÓW TYPHOON RELIEF FUND.
CANADIAN CUSTOMS TARIFF. to comply. The Chamber urged the The China Sugar Refining Co., Ltd, Government to remove an unreasonable wrote notifying that in the now Canadian provision from the Statuto Book, but the Customs Tariff the British preference Government made no further reply and, given by Canada depended cu goods on the 20th December; introduced a Bill to amend and consolidate the law relat being conveyed without transhipment ing to Opium, still retaining the objec from Great Britain. It was argued that tionable clause. The Chamber pressed transhipment at the British port of Hong. ita views upon the Government, and the the secondl cussion of the question on kong should not exclude British goods Hon. Mr. A. O. Lang introduced a dis- H.E. the Governor could not from the preference and the Chamber was reading. naked to take up the question through the see his way to accept an amendment at that stage but promised to give the sub- Aa this Colonial Government with the view to jett further consideration. special exception being made of Hong volume goes to press a communication kong. Meanwhile, the "China Sugar Re has been received from the Government considered satisfactory by your Com- fining Co.'s correspondents in Canada suggesting an amended form of words had raised the question' at Ottawa and mittes. the desired concession was granted during the Budget debate, endering representa tions by Hongkong unnecessary.
INCREASE OF PERUVIAN CON-
13
לי
C.L.F. SALES OF PRODUCE ON LONDON FORMS.
The Chamber called the attention of the Association of British Chamber of Com- merce, Shanghai, to the need for modifica SULAR TARIFF.
tion of the form of contract issued by the During 1922 a lengthy correspondence Produce Brokers Association of London. took place, as the result of which "a re- It was suggested that a "force majeure fand was promised of extra duty paid clause should be inserted: also that, in on goods shipped before an increase in claiming relief owing to "force majeure' the Peruvian Consular Tariff was notified conditions, it should not be necessary to to exporters. The promised refund not prove (as is necessary at present, under having been made, a, further communica- A decision of the Preduce Brokers Asso tion was addressed to the Consul-General ciation) that shipment from all parts in for Peri in Hongkong who courteously China is prevented. It was also urged. undertook to cable to the Government of that sections of traders other than brokers Peru asking for instructions. The refund. should be given a voted in the adminis however, has still to. be made.
tration of the Association. It so hap pened that the British Chamber of Com- FOG SIGNAL ON TATHONG POINT. merce, Shanghai, had this question under The Chamber was invited to consider a consideration a few months previously suggestion by the Harbour Master (Com and had taken it " London. They marder C. W. Beckwith, R. V.), that an were informed by the General Produce Automatic Fog Signal Bell be installed Brokers Association that it was consider o Tathong Point. The view was held ed impossible to adopt a "force majeure that this would be of great benefit to clause which would be generally accepted coasting steaners, and the Chamber by the many different trades using the cordially approved the proposal At the form of contract. The Brokers' Associ same time, a tribute was paid to Com- tion suggested that a clause acceptable A full summary of the report was pub-mander C. W. Beckwith's valuable work to both parties could be attached at the during 18 years connection with the Perttime of making the contract, and with and it was suggested that the Harbour this answer to its representations your Master's name might be permanently Committee has had to be content. Ape associated with Hongkong by naming the pendix HI). Fog Signal "The Beckwith. Bell." This suggestion was adopted by the Govern ment, and the Chamber was informed that His Excellency the Governor had received with pleasure their tribute to Commander Beckwith's services.
Appendix B contains the final report of the Typhoon Relief Committee of the Swatow British Chamber of Commerce, which administered the Funda raised in August and September, 1990, for the reliet of the sufferers through the disastrous typhoon which passed over Swatow on the night of the 2nd and 3rd August,
Correspondence has taken place with the British Chamber of Commerce, Canton, and with firms in Hongkong as to gaethesda of overcoming the difficulty. This Chan ber invited the assistance of the Govern ment in endeavouring to secure an alterna- tive means of communication through the ogeney of Naval wireless, pointing out that the gunboats of other nations render their nationals invaluable service by plac ing wireles facilities at their disposal,
The Government's reply was that the Commodore is prepared to sanction the transmission to Canton of private mer ages by Naval wireless when the ordinary methods of communication have broken down, provided the messages are forward ed through the Chamber. As stated in another paragraph of this Report, a Reso Tution on the subject was moved by Hong- kong at the Chambers of Commerce Colished carly in the year in the local Press ference in Shanghai, in February, 1924.
and the report is given in the Appendix in fall for purposes of record. The Re: The serious handicap to trade constitu- lief Fund Account is also reproduced and ted by the present state of affairs cannot shows the sources whence was derived the be allowed to remain unremedied, and the fund, amounting to $115,356.00, which was Chamber will continue to press for the re-expended in various forms of relief. opening of the line between here and Can-" ton. Until more setfied conditions prevail, however, there is little hope of satisfactory telegraphic arrangements. This points, once more, to the moral of the urgent necessity for a powerful commercial wire Je station in Hongkong. (Appendix Q1 CHINESE NATIVE CUSTOMS DUTY.
A useful service was performed by the Asiatic Petroleum t'ompany (South China). Ltd., in working out in detail the disparity between the Tariff rates of the Chinese Native Customs and the Chin- Maritime Customs; made more acute by the revision of the latter tariff which came into effect in January, 1923. Canton British Chamber of Commerce later raised the same question. The correspondenco indicates that political conditions are a hindra uce to useful action, but the following resolutiong moved by this Cham her, and secunded by Canton Chamber, was adopted at the Shanghai Conference in February 1994: --
-
1922
The General Committee ordered to be recorded in the Minutes of the Chamber its thanks to the Relief Committee for its long-continued and successful efforts to repair the damage caused by the Typhoon, especial mention being made of the great assistance rendered by the Rev. A. Guthrie Gamble, the Rev. H. F. Wallace, the Rev. Mr. Gow and Mr. C. T. Lim.
CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL. The Chamber had under consideration during the year the position of the Chi nese Language School, the small nusher of students attending being responsible for the school being conducted at a loss, The view was taken that the diminished attendance was probably quite a tempor- ary condition, due to the fact that very few new assistants have come to Hong kong recently.
The School eaters
TELEPHONE SERVICE.
FINANCES.
The Year's Accounts may be considered satisfactory. The net income is slightly larger than last year's, but the surplus of fucome over Expenditure is consider. ably less owing principally to the fact that rent has heen doubled, cost of pro- duction of Annual Report nearly doubled, Discussion of the Telephone Question-and that there has been larger expendi to which much attention was devoted in ture on Yunnanese Scholarships. 1922-was advanced a further stage dur ing the year under review. The Tele phone Cozamittee of the Joint Chambers of Coumerce was asked by the Goyera. ment to consider farther proposals by the China and Japan Telephone and Electric Co., Ltd., and Appendix F1 contains the Joint Committee's opinion on the subject. BRITISH CLAIMS AGAINST GER-
..
"FAIR AT MACAO.
The Committed learned with regret that, owing to typhoon damage, a project to hold an Industrial Fair in Macao of which details have been received, had been abandoned. DETERIORATION OF STRUCTURES
MANS IN CHINA from the British Custodian of Enemy The Chamber received a communication
The Committee felt that the School is Property in China asking that the atten- tion of local firms should be called to the of such great value as an aid to commer- cial efficiency that there can be no ques- necessity for lodging any claims before tion of the Chamber relinquishing this the 31st October. It transpired that, That China be called upon to put department of its activities. An expres-through an oversight, a notice on the suh Lato immediate effect Article III of the
sion was placed on record of cordial ap-ject had not heen published in the Hong-"- Commercial Treaty of 102 whereby thepreciation of the valuable work of the kong Guzerament Gazette some months dating and in combined levied on Rev. Dr. T. W. Pearce, O.B.E.. LL.D., previously. The notice duly appeared on Junkborne carge between Hongkong and as Director of Studies, for several years the 12th October, and the Custodian Treaty Ports in Kwangtung shill not pest, during which a considerable num- (Lord Addington) undertook to grant any less than the duties leriod by the ber of young commercial men have a Hoogkong claimants an extension of time Maritime Customs on similar goods car-
to enable them to lodge proofs. tied by steamer. Further that. failing quired at the school a knowledge of mer compliance by China with the above recantile Cantonese. commendations, the Maritins Customs upon the year 1024 with a considerably Duties concerned be reduced to the level larger number of students of duties on junk-borne cargo." (AP- ALLEGED FRAUDULENT TRANS. pendix W).
FERS OF CHINESE BUSINESSES. Further consideration was given during the year by the Committee and the Legal Sub-Committee, to this undesirable prae-
EXPOSED TO " SEA-ACTION. tice, viz., the sale of the assets, without the liabilities, of Chinese businesses.
The Chamber cordially supported the The draft Ordinance drawn up by the decision of the Government to make a Attorney-General was considered and dis-grant, towards research work by a Special euiged between Mr. Kemp, the Legal Committee appointed by the Institution Sub-Committee of the Chamber, and a of Civil Engineers on Deterioration of Special Sub-Committee. A copy of the Structures exposed to Sea-Action. Bill as finally agreed upon was referred to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, whose legal advisers suggested several amendments. Although your Committee prefer the original wording of some of the clauses, the suggestions of the Chi- nese Chamber of Commerce were adopted in order to retain unanimity on a ques tion on which legislation appeared urgent ly necessary, During the year the Bill passed into Law. Thanks are due to the Attorney General and to the Chamber's Legal Sub-Committee for the lung and careful consideration given to this sub- reject.
DRAFT PIRACY REGULATIONS: In September the Government submitted for the consideration of the Chamber draft Regulations, under the Piracy Prevention Ordinance, 1914, framed as a result of the deliberations of the Sui Au" Pirae Commission. Strong objection was taken amongst members of the Mercantile Mar- the to the first three clauses of the draft Regulations, particularly to the last part of Clause 1 which lid down;
1. It is the duty of the master and other certificated officers to resist to the uttermost any piratical attack. This obligation is imperative and no discre- tin may be exercised as to whether to resist pirates or not,
A Conference with the Captain Superin tend.nt of Police, the Harbour Master and the Crown Solicitor took place, with égard to the draft Regulations, as the rit of which the objectionable features of the first fry clauses were deleted and various amendments in the Regulations generalle were agreed upon. The
et forth in the Chamber's letter of 19th December (Appendix Pr).
||
ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF IN-
SURANCE COMPANIES DEPOSITS.'
ORDINANCE,
"
A balance of 3080.79 hus been carried to General Reserve Account which now stunds at 830,375.47.
During the year our holding in Hong- kong Hotel Debentures 810,500 was re- deemed and the full amount placed on 5 per cent. Fixed Deposit with the Hong- Long and Shanghai Banking Corporation. The Chamber's investment account re- mains therefore nt $30.500.
The Language School, it is regretted, has again had rather a bad year owing had to be made to that Institution to pay to dearth of pupils, and a loan of $4,303,50
off its overdraft at Bank.
"Th
A SHOOTING AFFRAY» AT
AU TAU.
FARMER WOUNDED.
The story of how two farmers in the Au Tau escaped from the hands of a robber gang has come to hand. On Saturday night. whilst the two farmers were asleep in a matshed, three robbers, forced an entrance into the shed and at- one of whom was armed with a revolver, tempted to seize the inmates. Both men,
without hesitation, dived through a hole in one of the walls of the shed. The robbers gave chase and several shots were fired after the farmers, one of whom was wounded slightly, a hullet grazing his cheek. The farmers ever- tually got clear of the robbers who se far have not been arrested.
QUARANTINE "AT MANILA.
OFFICIALS USING AEROPLANES.
The following is from the fanita Times, of March 10th
Lace in the unlawful use of their ship ariveles with some assistants, and
THE OPIUM ORDINANCE. On the 1st of June, 1923, Messrs. Jar dine, Matheson and Co., Ltd., were fined
To facilitate the inspection of vessels $1,000 for allowing their as. Loungung to be used for the conveyance or per calling at the port of Manila during the tina of Opium, contrary to Section 13 of present enforcement of strict quarantine Ordinance No. 4 of 1914. The Magistrate regulations, Philippine quarantine officials resorted to the use of ariny airs said there was no doubt that, the defen-plane in covering the distance from daats had been innocent of any couniv. Manila to Mariveles. This morning Dr. of the quarantine office, flew to that they had adopted all reasonable
in precautions to prevent the occurrence of less than half an hour the steamship this offence. The Magistrate held taxt | President Madison was inspected and the the defendants had failed to comply with first class passengers numbering about 50 the requirement of the Ordinance which vaccinated. rendered them liable to a penalty unless Preparations are being made by quaran TIN EXPORT TRADE.
they could prove "that" none of the off- tine officials to receive the Steamship cers or their servants or any of the crew Lecuaia with its 700 world tourists at Correspondence of considerable interest
Mariveles, and quarantine officials will fly The Fire Insurance Association of of such ship were implicated therein." to Exporters and to..commercial men in
The Hon. Mr. E V. D. Parr, at that there to-morrow morning to carry on the
wark of inspection and general, appears in Appendix XI. The Hongkong drew attention to as infringe-
and vaccination. Per meat of this Ordinance, it being alleged time Vice-Chairman of the Chamber, who
sons refusing to New York Metal Exchange, in February, that a company, not on the official list was about to proceed home on retirement,
be 1923 wrote to this Chamber and to the
picked up lat Government alleging that parels of Chin compiled under the Ordinance, was writ- left on record his protest against this the vessel leaves port. esa tin were showing on analysis lower ing business and was affixing Hongkong decision, which he characterised as a mis-
It was learned Mcasra Jardine,age passengers who were taken to the San that of the several steer- tin content than usual. No definite revenue stamps to policies on risks in carriage of justice. accompanied by samples, were submitted outports. The Fire Insurance Associa Matheson and Co, followed this with Lazaro hospital from the steamship Premi by the New York Metal Exchange at the tion suggested that the Stamp Office reasoned argument against the law as at dent Hayes, four developed smallpox with- Chamber asked them to give particulars should have an up-to-date list of Insar-present drawn, quoting a very clear in two or three days. These cases of small- of shipments found to assay below certifiedance Companies registered under the party, mentioning that two years' straples Ordinance; this letter was forwarded by are retained by the Hongkong Govern the Chamber to the Government which ment Analyst, so that investigation would adopted the suggestion. he practicable. To that letter no reply has ever been reived. Writing to the
CALFRE
RICE QUESTION.
ed at Mariveles to 1
to be vaccinated will be lani.
There
AD
later
why
opinion by their solicitors, Mesare. pox indicate the virulence of the diseny Hastings, Hastings. Dennys and Bowley in the part from which they had come who suggested that by simple amend quarantia dicials point out. In view ment "the insertion, of the words "to of this, the enforcement of, quarantine ensure the Ordinance would he made regulations on all vessels passing through fairer in. its incidence without weakening Chinese ports will be strict. Ieral Government, the Chamber took, the No very important questions were under its effectiveness. Owners would then be opportunity of conveying several wegges discussion during the year with the San called upon to take all reasonable pre- tions made by the Association o of Exporters And Dealers for the improvement of the Francisco Chamber of Commerce in re-cautions to ensure that none of the COLONIES B.E EXHIBITION BILL.
tir. samples
is of taking
spect of Agreement between or crew were implicated.
fromsense amount of in order to avoid giving
Corre- zd for Hongkong and San Francisco. possible ground
The Committee, considering thie eug- any alegations such as had been received. spondence as to the size of the sieves in gestion a practicable one, asked the Gov. money being spent by our Dominions The Government Analyst met these sugges
use in San Francisco was completed. ernment to amend the Ordinance in the and Colonies on the British Empire
Exhibition.
Canada Wion pounds, n.
Is spending nearly At the request of the Government, the manner indicated. The Government do-
of a tions, fa a helpful spirit, and electrical Chainber supplied comments upon, the clined to do this, whereupon the Cham-quart has been obtained. Your Committee transhipment trade in rice for the in her again urged the view that however £180,000, West African Colonien £100.000, desirable it may be to check infringe and New Zealand and South Africa takes this opportunity of expressing dis- formation of an enquirer in Rangoon. satisfaction with the way in which com-
Letters completing correspondence in ments of legal enactments, it is inequit £80.000 ench. Then we have £50,000 for laints have been brought by the New 1922 on the constitution of the Rice Asso able and contrary to the principles of Malaya and Barawak, £40.000 for Turma, York Metal Exchange, without any at- eintion of California appear in Appendix English law to penalise defendants under £25.000 for Hongkong, and E21000 for fempt to substantiate them.
a regulation with which it is impossible | Ceylan,
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