4
*
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1934.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING
HON. MR. C. GORDON MACKIE REVIEWS YEAR'S
BUSINESS IN HONG KONG
Suggestion For Postal Authorities
A comprehensive survey of the work of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Com- merce during the past year was made by the Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mäckle who presided at the" Anunal Meeting of the Chamber helt yesterday. In the course of his speech. Mr. Mackle suggested that postal rates might be reduced' and that local delivery might be speeded up. He also referred to the tariffs in Canton and the piracy question..
Mr. W. H. E. Thomas, who seconded the adoption of the report and accounts regretted that professional bears had used their influence to weaker good dividend paying stocks in. the Colony. He also made reference to the property slump and the crisis among the native
banks.
DECLINE OF TRADE CONTINUES
Addressing the meeting, the Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackie, said:-
Gentlemen. Before upon some questions considered
You will note from the Annual Report that the Committee has been able to bring to a satisfac- touching tory conclusion various questions on which they have been at issue of the important have which
been
with the Government. One of by your Commit- these is the question of the rights tee during the past year, I of riparian lot-holders, as to which am sure you would wish me to the Government published a draft Ordinance which seemed to us to express, on your behalf, the regret which we feel at the passing of Mr. zo a great deal too far in the Robert Shewan, who was a notable direction of putting an end to the figure in the local business com-
common law rights of riparian munity, for so many years. Mr. owners, and even to the special certain owners Shewan was the Chamber's elected rights which representative on the Legislative possess by express contract with Council more than thirty years. the "Government.
the death of Mr. A. C. ago. By Franklin we have also lost ni mem-
In the draft Bill, compensation appeared to be a master of grace
personnel has nécessarily changed -in, ane case for three and in' the other case, for seven years. Fortunately, they are not in con" tiquòus ɛession, though they meet several times each year,
of the various Sub-Committees for their valuable services during the year. We are also very much indebted to Mr. Key, the Secretary, and Mr. Price. Assistant Secretary, for the excellent work they have done and their loyal support, „-
One reason why these shipping questions are so long under dis- With "these remarks, gentlemen, cussion is that they concern two I beg to move the adoption of the or three Government Departments į Report and Accounts, and when at Whitehall The consequence is the motion has been seconded I that to any letter which this shall be glad to answer, to the best Chamber contributes to the argu- of my ability, any questions which ment the rejoinder usually arrives any member may" desire to ask.
SECONDER'S SPEECH
a year afterwards. There is much At a meeting of the General to be said. I think, for a sugges-Committee held subsequently, the tion which a former Governor of Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackle was Hong Kong, the late Sir William į re-elected Chairman for the en-.. Des Voeux, made in a book he suing year and the Hon. Mr. W. H. wrote about his official career. · He
Bell vice-Chairman. urged that reams of correspon- dence and much delay, might be avoided by round table con- ference in London of representa-· tives of the Departments" concern- ed. Those in a position to speak owing to bad trade-in godowns for local business interests could in Hong Kong. It will be a phy-usually be chosen from the ranks sical impossibility to hark some of those on long leave or from of this cargo-that packed in tin- those recently transferred home- from the Colony. We might try iined cases, for example in the
that for ourselves in the discus- manner called for in the Customs
gions over contract terms which Notification.
are at present proceeding between the Manchester and this and Bradford Chambers. It takes a long time to agree amendments of a "document by the method of exchange of letters
The Day Of Rest Shipping Companies were per- turbed a few months ago on re- celving an intimidation from the Harbour Master that "It had re- cently been decided" that a permit for working cargo on must be taken out if it is desired
Sundays
to put bunker coal on board a ship. I might explain that in the Victorian era-which now so far away-legislation was pass-
Beems
Blas Bay Pirates
Seconding the Chairman's pro- posal, Mr. W. H. E. Thomas said;-- Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: In rising to second the motion for the adoption of the Report and Accounts, I have little to add to the comprehensive survey given by our warthy Chairman.
He referred to the past year as one of bad trade. The depression: has served to emphasize how much the trade and prosperity of the Colony are bound up with that of China. The full effects of the World drop in prices were not felt in China for some time as her cur-
Ten years ago, piracy in neigh-rency, being on a silver basis, the bouring waters was the constant internal price level was not affect- theme of speeches from this chair. Things have been better in recent
ed to the same extent as countries on the Gold Standard. Moreover, the low price of silver acted in the same way as a depreciated cur- rency and enabled exports to be kept going for some time,
suffered a heavy loss in the death after the passing of the Bill, any fee for the permit. The idea ising, has become more frequent of world prices will be slow to mani-
of Mr. H. Mori, a leading member of the Japanese community.
It is reasonable to argue from the same premises. that recovery in
fest itself in China's trade, as the
lost to a certain extent by a rise in the price of metal and the en- gineered depreciation of other cur- rencies. One thing is clear, that
products and she can again export. until there is a demand for China's
there will be no marked revival in
ber who, in his capacity of analyst, and not of right, and there seemed in most British ports in the years, and we have given the sub- ject a rest. As the disconcerting had several times co-operated with ed to be inadequate appreciation East, including Hong Kong, en- the Chamber in the solution of of the fact that no amount of couraging the observance of the
habit of Chinese passengers. sud- denly declaring themselves problems connected with the ex- compensation. could
recompense Day of Rest by requiring a permit pirates, and taking possession of port trade. Our members, the some owners for loss of sea ac
to be taken out for Sunday work-. Yokohama Specte Bank, have also
cess it could also be argued that, ing of cargo and fixing a heavy the ship on which they are, travel- late, I feel that a reference to the purchaser of marthe lots, bought no doubt very laudable, but why with notice that the rights of differentiate against shipping in subject will not be out of place advantage of low silver has been I am sorry to say that I must
navigapon, sea access, etc., were respect to Sunday working? Other follow the example of my imme-specifically excluded. Consequent trades are allowed to carry on and date predecessors in this chair, and
10 w;
are subject to no levy. deplore another year of bad trade. which affected his property, he
On the definite issue which had The decline noted for some years
could be said to suffer no damage, been raised, we urged that the past has continued, and was ac-
and could make no claim to com-Ordinance should be so interpret celerated from the month of May
pensation. onwards by heavy increases in the Chinese Customs Import Tariff. The new dutles affect classes of goods in which Hong Kong is particularly interested, either 8.5 handler or producer. Local manu-
factures, which have developed considerably in recent years, are therefore passing through difficult times, and many factories have closed down. One can only hope
mittee
works
were
commenced
nave
رد
I would like to say this: Govern- ment Authorities in Chins could take no action better calculated to establish themselves in the good opinion of the world at large than by dealing stringently with this
hardship on Chinese travellers, in the main. Without aviair like Blas at which to land,their Bay seizures, these passenger-pirates would find their occupation gone. Diminishing Returns as regards Surely it would not be a very the revenue derived therefrom. I difficult business to put Blas Bay am informed on good authority under surveillance, and promptly with any new which the pirates may set up along the coast.
ed as to limit its provisions strict pirate menace, which inflicts great trade in these parts.
to deal centre
You will appreciate the force of ly to the moving of consignees" or our contention that ta
a consignors" merchandise on Sun- general Ordinance of this kind on days, and by no means to extent the Statute Book would be tothe Ordinance to the handling of escabusn a very dangerous pré- necessaries required by the ship. cedent. In this opinion your Com-This would be in accordance with alttee was strongly supported by the spirit of the law, for taking the China Association, London, on board ship's necessaries like which appointed a special Com-coal and water leaves all officers to keep in touch with free except those "keeping ship." that realisation will not be long Government Departments on the Furthermore, to require permits
There were several accessions to for supplying ships with bunker delayed that trade" can be taxed subject and to press for amend-
the membership of the Chamber on Sundays, would have a out of existence. We may then secment, and preferably, withdrawal cool
Several questions very serious effect on the bunker-
during the last twelve months, but amore favourable revision of the of the Bill.
unfortunately the benefit to the also asked in Parlamenting business of the port. The Tariff..
financial position has been can The China Association urged that tendency would be, if there was
objection on grave there
any likelihood of coal being re-celled by several resignations at principle to the enactment ofquired on a Sunday in Hong Kong, the end of the year. These were general legislation of type for steamers to take it on board attributed to hard times, but I proposed and that in place of a at another port.
It is a thousand pities that," at a time when the world's principal need is a greater flow of trade, the policies of Governments where should be directed towards imposing further restrictions of various kinds.
every
י
were
was
the
exclude
"Situated as we are in Hong Kong in a strategic position to deal with
all the Law trade revival when it comes, we
W29 that 'the can only maintain our trading I am glad to state that ultimate- said
worded, BS organisations in as great a stately the Goverriment, on the advice tion" elause. of efficiency as is consistent with of the Secretary of State for the not
bunker coal from economical management and await Colonies, accepted the representa- the operation of the Ordinance. tions made, and withdrew the Bill. It has now been made clear that With the help of the China As-all necessaries for the use of the soclation, we were also successful ship, are excluded: in obtaining amendment of the
the dawn of better days,
Postal Rates
would suggest to merchants that.
Our Chairman. touched on the high Tariffs imposed by " the Chinese Authorities, which have set :u motion the Law of
that the Canton Government is
with Hong Kong and, its corollary. perturbed at the falling off in trade
1 reduced revenue not to mention the increase in smuggling fostered by the high duties. Herein lies a gleam of hope that the futility of attempting to combine a revenue and protective tariff will be realis- ed and that better counsels wil prevall in time.
Share Stump
too
The year 1933 also saw a slump Bill as general in scope as the I am glad to say that the Gov-the Chamber of Commerce sub- suggested measure. the introducernment withdrew its notification scription is the last thing which in the share market and huge
were losses
suffered in some ton of a separate and special Bill and an amending Ordinance has should be cut out in the process
It seems that of reducing overheads A Cham-speculative counters. I regret to for each public work contemplated now been passed.
ber of Commerce is an essential say some of the better shares, the Officers had was greatly to be preferred.
daf-instrument for voicing commer-investment shares and good divi- cial opinion. It does a great many dend earners were also hammer-
down, things each year which no armed
sometimes not could accomplish single-handed scrupulously by professional bears The various Committees, which and others. I think it is regret- give a great deal of time to the table as it has led to losses by various matters which come before genuine Investors and stopped A contribution towards reduced
them, are always glad to take up them from buying these shares. overheads which I think lies with-
This meets our contention, tut
any question brought forward by
We also saw a fall in land in the power of Government to United Kingdom Tariff affecting it seems to me that there is a
in Chinese make, is in the matter of postal mats and matting, an important good deal to be said for the aboli-members and, if possible, arrive values, principally
We hope that all tenement class property. This rates. Now that the dollar has article of export from this part of tion of the Ordinance. It is in at a solution. recovered "to some extent in rela-the world. Doubtless in ignorance evitably unfair, in its incidence, considerable enterprises in the perhaps is a reflection of the de- tion to sterling, a letter rate of 20 of the fact that South China mats because one shipping company Colony which have not joined our pression in trade, and we may cents to the United Kingdom via of low intrinsic value are hand-may have ships in this port every ranks will do so, ir order that the hope for a revival and a corre-
Chamber may be truly representa-sponding raise in land values. Siberia, 20 cents to all non-British
Ir the autumn we had a crisis countries and 12 cents to British made, the United Kingdom Gov-
ernment imposed a duty of 48. #d times to work cargo on Sundaya, tive of mercantile opinion, and be. Countries seems excessive. Air mail charges are also substantially per square yard on hand-made whereas another Company may kept financially sound Especial amongst the native banks, several When the impracticability never have a ship here duringly would I address this appeal to of which went to the wall but I firms which sell on the basis of am glad to say some of the banks higher from here to the United mats.
As there of such a levy was pointed out, an that part of the week. Kingdom than in the reverse
"arbitration by the Chamber of with securities had no difficulty in
from direction. I am sure you will agree order was made exempting these is little hope of abolition of the
Commerce in case of dispute," and obtaining accommodation that this is a matter which should and similar types of mats from Ordinance unless united, repre-
.the scope of the additional sentations are made to the Beere-yet do not support the institution foreign banks and the crisis was be looked into. Your Committee
tary of State; steps have been on which they depend to carry out weathered. has not raised the question until: duties.
In view of the increasing num- taken to, obtain the views of for them the arbitration clause in now because it was realised that the Government did not increase.ber of breaches of the Merchan-Chambers of Commerce in other their contracts, the charges until some time after dise Marks Ordinance; you will Briti ports where this legisla
"
week-end, and be obliged some
the dollar dropped to low levels.note with satisfaction, that, in tion exists
tions Useful Year
sary.
Silver; on which our currency is based, has been the sport of the "In Conclusion”
speculator and politician for some The Chinese Language Babool considerable time, thereby adding has unfortunately not received the set another difficulty and deter But high: postal rates ought not to consequence of the Chamber's re-
From what I have said, you will increased support which was anti-rent to trade: My sympathies go be continued longer than. Is. neces-presentations, the maximum pen-"
alty has been increased from $100 gather that the Chamber of Com-cipated on the appolatament of a aut to the merchant, and, at merce has been able to accom- European Director of Studies; in the same time, I cannot restrain Some reorganisation of local to $1,000, postal deliveries seems also to be Interested members were kept plish during the year, a good deal fact, there have been a number a tear of self pity for the banker desirable. In order to secure. earlier fully informed during the year of of very useful work. Negotiations of resignations lately as a result also, who, these days; cannot look
still proceeding with Man- of students proceeding on leave, twenty-four hours ahead.
And finally, Hong Kong cur- morning deliveries of letters. I am the various announcements issued are advised that, except in certain by the Chinese Authorities with chester and Bradford in regard to Others have not taken their place. central areas, lettera posted before regard to the new policy of re-a revised textile contract between and economies in the present eney, as you know for various six in the evening are not deliver-quiring
imported into importers and suppliers. We are staging arrangements of the reasons into which I need not goods
still iri communication School have had, to be effected enter, occasionally tends to rise to ed until the morning is well ad- China to be marked with the alko vanced-half-past ten or later. name of the country of origin through the Hong Kong Govern-In view of the value of a working a premium over sliver. That that or threement, with the Board of Trade on knowledge of the Chinese Lan-Premium has been kept within
under: reasonable limits The inhabitants of a city of There have been two nearly a million population unless postponements, and the latest an- questions connected with adoption gunge from a commercial point of resident in outlying areas-maynouncement is that the new rule by this Colony of the International view. I take this opportunity of difficult circumstances, I think you reasonably expect to receive local will not come into force until Safety and Loadline Conventions appealing to firms and individuals will agree reflects great credit on the Institution and persons who letters, posted the day before, by 8 further notice. Your Committee and the International Ratios to give greater support to the am. Perhaps it will be sufficient, has made special representations telegraph Convention but I need (Chamber's Language School in Have made themselves responsible at this stage, if I commend the for casement of the requirements not detain you with a lengthy connection with which a class in for applying the exchange cor-
rective. In these matters."wei fidandarin has recently, been: forin- subject to the consideration of in respect of goods manufactured narrative! various Residents Associations it before the notification was pro- are well served by Special Bub Fed. hardly affects, directly, the bust-mulgated and, now lying-I regret Committees which have been ness community.
to say in considerable quantites maintained in being-though the
In conclusion, I would like to express my thanks to the members
With these few words, I great pleasure in seconding
(Continued on Page
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