238
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY JUNE 251909.
Opium Trade Doomed the few words be was inbonti to speak in er
THIRD READING OF BILL PASSED,
SPRICH BY MR. MURRAY STEWART.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held In the Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. Present His Excellency the Governor, Sir Frederick Lugard, x.c.M.q. Họn. Mr. A. M. Thomson (Colonizi Secretary), Hon. Sir Henry
At the meeting of the Legislative Council yes;
·Berkeley (Attorney-General), Hon. Mr. C. Mcl. Messer (Colonial Treasurer) Hon. Mr. P. N.erday, afternoon, the Attorney General moved HL Jones (Director of Public Works), Hon. that Council go into Committee on the Bill Mr. 1.1. Badsley, (Captain Superintendent entitled Aa Ordinance to amend the Prepared of Police), Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar Opium, Ordinance 1891, General), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, M.B., C.M.G., Hou. Mr. E, A. Hewatt, Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk, C.M.G, Hon. Mr. W, J. Gresson, Hon. Mr. E. Osborne, Hon. Mr. Murray Stewart, and Mr. O' Clemanti (Clerk of Councils). ·
MINUTES.
PAPERS..
* 1u 4L The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Report on the Assessment for the year 190g 1910, and the Harbour Master's Report for 1908.
BEGONIA, MOFINANCE.
气
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the report of the Fiosoco Committed (No. 7).
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table FinancialTM Minute No. 28, it was agreed that It' be referred to the Finance Committee.
STAMP ORDINANCE.
The Attorney General moved the first road- log of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Stamp (Amendment) Ordinance, 1901, *
The Colonial Secretary seconded. Agreed.
The object of the Bill is to increase for pur poses of revenue the duty in respect of receipts for payment of money, and to impore higher duties on the estate nod effects of deceased persoas.
FRISON ORDINANCE,
The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend The Prison. Ordinance, 1893. He said:-The object of this Bill is to make it an
offence for prison officers to supply certain articies of food to prisoners contrary to prison regulations.
The Colonial Secretary seconded. Bill road a second time.
The Bill was then considered in Commitles, read a third time and passed.
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TRAMWAYS.
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There was a short, consultation between the unofficial members, at the conclusion of which, Hon. Mr. Hewalt said that when the unofficial members came the Council Chamber that afternoon, they fully intended to vote against the third reading of the Dill. They were now, howover, willing to forego their determination in deference to His Excellancy's wishes, but he
The third reading of the Bill was then put to the meeting and way unanimously passed.
HONGRONG'S ASSESSMENT
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONGKONG.
+
'Tis many a year since we took Hongkong,
With ancient graves and fever-ioak'd salt; The bones of our dead lie at Woog-Nal Cheng,
Cut off all too soon from their active toil. At Wong-Nai-Chong! in that valley so green v Lio sailor and soldier and merchant top;'-". The assamples,at, mel of what might have beau
Cut off in prime from our longing view. If-death of the martyrs le Church's seed,
Well may these loved ones cry loud sad deep, And pload that in these days of China's need Their memory to honour wo rightly knop. For Chion is moving, and who shall say
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Her.no in tha'siruggle for higher aims, For guidance along the more modern way,
A place in which path she now rightly claims? "And yet it moves," the Celestial Jump Is leavened by forces nyeńst;control ;" may not run swiftly--it may not jump, But change is coming to body and soul. The classics are good—but for modern strife
"New Learning" comes with its greater scope, The wider borizon and larger life" * Fill Chinese students with zest and hope "Hongkong University - strange the name.
To earliest dwellers 'midst fragrant streams," Where pirates, robbers, Cantoo braves came,
And fever disquieted sightly dreams. So we shall seo in the years in came, Ab-fong taking his B.Sc. degree, The hood sit fifty on clever Alam.
And Ah-Sia be dubbed (Victoria) M.D. May this change in the far-off island fair
Work wonders for China and England, tool Our interests kuil up-bring fit concord rare,
A solid entente may each year reaew 1 Best luck to good Mody-Sir F. Lugard, too,
The first with hard dollárs-the last with: bis
scheme, May English subscriptions come well into view, "Bir dat" appropiate counsel would seem'!
SHANGHAI in L, &a C. Express.
roneous impression which seemed to have been generally, shared by the unofficials would be altered: His Excellency urged that they re- quired to know the amounts to be tendered - before the next Estimates could be presented, The question had been discussed before in order to afford unofficial members an oppor tunity of exaressing their views. It was now an urgent matter to pass the Bill as soon as possible. It seemed clear from the speeches of various, unofficial members that they were The Colonial Secretary seconded.
not inclined to oppose the Bill," None of the After some verbal amendments, Mr. Murray clauses had been taken exception to at the Stewart said:-) move the following amend- second reading. · What they objected to was ment to this clause--the insertion, after the word | Clause 10 of the Bill, which dealt with the "forthwith of these words "Clause roshall not question of the new tenders. The unofficials come into operation until it has been approved sought for a more precisa wording of the by a resolution of the Legislative Council subse: promise of the Secretary of Stato. His The minutes of the last meeting were read quest to tbo, passing of the Appropriation Bill Excellency boped they would act oppose *and.confirmed.
for 1910. I beg the Government to consider the third reading of the Bill. He was not whether this suggestion does not offer a reason. aware that aby difference existed between able means of compromies between the unaffi
the officials and unofficials. All agreed that cial and official positions in this matter. The opium should be gradually suppressed and official position I take to be this. Until ten this point was particularly emphasized by Mr.It ders for the now farm have been received it isMurray Stewart. It was urged that a more definite statement of the contribution promised impossible to ascertain the direct loss to re- venue due to closing the divans in March next.
by the Secretary of State should be made, but Until this direct ibas · has thus been AS- His Excellency thought he could, safely say cattained it is impossible' to approach the that not one business man present. is the, Haine Authorities, with a request more war- Council Chamber would undertake to promise rowly to define the promised contribution a definito proportion of loss at any time. The towards it. To arrive at the exact sum of the
losses, either direct or indirect, would be direct lose it is necessary to get the new
dus not on the policy of the Government tenders in. To obtain there it is necessary to of Hongkong but to the policy adopted in make the new conditions known, In order 10 India, The position as it now stood was that make the now conditions known this Bill, must Council thought the Bill should be passad in be passed. That, as I understand it, is the order to call for tenders. His Excellency official position as revealed in the debate on 'understood that the unofficial members wished the second roading. The objection to
to record a protest against the Home Govern», from the unofficial point of view is that feat and not the focal Government He this method of making known the nowherefore hoped they would unanimously tarms ignores the protest contained in the pass the third reading of the Bill in order resolution unanimously supported a year age to show there was no difference of opinion by the unofficial members again any steps between them. (Applause), being taken to carry out, the order announced in Parliament. Do the 6th before this Council shall baye been called upon to consider the method by which it is proposed to readjust the burden of taxation. But if the terms of the advertisement for the tender are fixed and defnite I do not see that there would be any such risk. There would be no risk. There would be no risk to pro-wished to place on record that they wished to would be just the same as if the clause were second reading of the Bill. spective farmers. The terms offered to them emphasize their protest already entered at the
made absoluto now And there is no real risk to Government, inasmuch as Govern- ment has absolute power and can exercise it on the occasion of the eventual resolutica la Council with just as much effect as Dow, with a much better grace. If this Bill goes through in its present form it will be an irrevocable step taken before we have had an opportunity of considering these methods. But if its pretest form were to be
The following report on the assassment of altered in the manner i suggest, by the insertion
the Colony for the year 1909-1910 was laid on of a clause making the contemplated step sub-the table as the meeting of the Legislative ject to a subsequent resolution in Council this Council yesterday afternoon- objection would be removed. It may be urged against this that unless Section 10 is made absoluteat once anelement of incertainty would enter into the bargain with the new farmer. That is the point. I invite some concession to the difficulty of our position-the unofficial position. The practical benefit of the conces sion which I suggest may not be apparent to. those who lightly regard the position of the unofficial members of this Council. It will be best appreciated by those who imagine that we are intended to represent the wishes of the community. To display consideration towards the wishes of the community as represented by us in this particular case-and in the opium question we have the community behind us would have a certain practical, affect towards making the policy palatable. That was held to be a desirable object a year ago. Now that we are face to face with the material consequences it is no less desirable. Indeed the community -may-be-thought to have a claim to be treated with greater consideration now than then. It is hateful to be reduced by circumstances into baggling about money when appealed to on the grounds of "paramount duty to civiliza- tion." But the duty that lies nearest us in this Council is duty to this Colony and my concep- tion on this occasion is to claim the right to discuss matters affecting our revenue before, and not only after, they have been settled över our heads. The Colony must have been re lieved in a measure to learn from a telegram in the morning paper that the Opium Donfer ence bas bad the effect of suggesting, to the world the great difficulty of the opium ques tion. The authority for this statement is the Secretary of State for the Colonies. difficulty thus revealed to the world was seen and stated, long ago, in certain re mota parts of the world-among others is this Colony. Bat previous to the receipt of this telegram there was soine doubt as to how these difficulties were to be solved, or in soy degree removed, by holding a conference which did not confer, a commission which did not inquire, a mere series of formal meetings whereat set speeches were road- or recited by delegates; debarred from discussing feely the merits of the question as a whole. It seemed as if an unnatural union between re ligious sentiment and political expediency ware to issue in nothing but a litter of resolutions-- stillborn. Now, however, we are told that there is a larger and a happier issue out of the affair
In moving the second reading of the Bill en- titled An Ordinance to amend the Tramways Ordinance, 1883, the Attorney General said that the object of the Bill was to empower tramway officials to arrest persons who refused to pay thair fares and whom the Company do not know. The Bill made provision for persons to be liable to a filos of $200 on summary conviction.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.. The Bill was read a second time, considered in Committee, read a third time and passed.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE, The Altorney General moved that Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled an Or. dinance to transferr to certain Officers of the Public Service certain duties at present per formed by other Officers.
The Colonial Secretary seconded. The Bill having been considered in Com. Mitton was read a third time and passed.
PATENTS ORDINANCE.
This Bill was not proceeded with,
ADJOURNMENT,
The Council adjourned till Thursday, the Ist prox.
FINANCE COMMITTEE,
A meating of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the meeting of Council, the Colonial Secretary presiding. It was agreed to recommend that the following vote be adopted by the Council:
CHARITABLE SERVICES,
A sum of two hundred dollars in nid of the vote charitable services,. passages and relief of destitutes.
This was all the business.
CEMENT AND BRICK FACTORIES
IN CANTON..
The
FOR 1909-1910
-Astonsor's Office,
Hongkong, 7th June, 1909.
1. By order of His Excellency the Goverpor in-Council a new valuation has been made of the whole Colony, with the exception of purely Chinese villages,
*. The City of Victoría :—The rateable value has decreased from $8,987,125 to $8,506,805, reduction of $180,320 or 2 per cent.
3 The Hill District: The rateable value har decreased from $163,255 to $362;445, a reduction of $810 or '11 per cent.
4. Shaukiwau :-The rateable value has in
creased from $57,197 to 163,224, nu addition of $5.027 or 10'53 per cent.
5. Hongkong Villages:-The rateable value has increased from $123,599 to $174,595, an ad- dition of $991 or 0'44 per cent.
6. Kowloon Point:-The rateable value bas increased from $464,460 to $502,205, an addi tinn of $37,745 or 8'11 per coat........
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THE PEKIN SYNDICATE.
▪;
The ordinary general meeting was held on May 21 at the Cannon-street Hotel, Mr. Carl Moyer presiding.
The Chairman, in moving, the adoption of the report, noted the very substantial increase in the value of their shares on the Stock Ex- change. It had not been possible for the board, following on the rejection of the coification scheme, to formulate separate profit and loss accounts for the Shansi shares on the one hand And the ordinary and deferred shares on the other. He wished to make quite clear the
JAPANESE IN MANCHURIA.
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ANTI-OPIUM CAMPAIGN.
ANOTHER IMPERIAL EDICT.
THE EXTENSION OF INFLUENCE...
The Tokyo Asahi bas un article on Manchuria,
Mesin Peking, juna 17. from the pen of its representative who bas On the sand of the and moon, this year, Wa recently been in Manchuria as a member of issuedian, explicit Edict proclaiming the the party of journalists invited by the South important anti-opium measures to be adopted Manchurian Railway Company to make a tour and their division into prohibition of smoking journey from Tairen to Changchun, the por officials sent by the various Ministrias and of inspection through the province. A railway and plantation. We bant, however, that the thern terminus of the railway, says the writer, Offices in Peking to be examined as to their gives a sleznger but a faint iden that he is in habits, are mostly patty officials of unimportant Manchuria, because not only are all the stations rank, and thore who hold important appoint in charge of Japanese station-masters and ments have seldom submitted to the test.: porters, but the stations, as well as-the stora · Moreover, some of them have resumed amok. and shops in the 'neighbourhood, are built ing after having broken off the vich. It shows - almost in execily the same style as in Japan, that the prohibition is enforced in a parfaactory Almost all classes of trados in the moiber manner. We find that prohibition of smoking country are represented. There are hotels, is foremost in Importance in opium suppression. restaurants, dry and fancy goods stores, tailors, According to reports from the provinces photographers, pawnbrokers,dyers, bathers, and | poppy plantation has been entirely or partly so forth. According to the census taken at the probibiled, which shows that conscientious end of February last there were in the leased efforts have been put forward, p territory and within the railway zone 17.353 Japaneseliving id 15,778 houses. Besides these, there were 11,878 Japanese in districts under the jurisdiction of the Consuls, making a total - of 59,231. This is the number reported to the authornies, but it is understood that there are a faw thousands more who are not properly The Antl-Opium Commissioners are com registered. It woud therefore be nearer the manded to ask the Peking and provincial mark to estimate the total Japanese popula authorities to institute inquiries and la subject tion in Manchuria at from 62,ned to 65,000. | doubtful officials strictly to'okatnication. The settling of this number of japanese in no Viceroys, Governors, Manchu 'Generals""and area of 18,000 cho within less than four years | officials in charge of educational instituționa since the province came under lapan's influence are commanded in make strict investigations can only be regarded as satisfactory. Thamuch-nad prohibit the vice. talked-of business depression, in Manchuria does not seem to have a very adverso effect on the extent of the Japanese population compared with last your, as it shows as increment of roughly 10,000.
Classifying the Japanese population in Mao churia it will be noted that some 14,000 are, Government officials and-servants in the em ploy of the South Manchurian Railway Com pspy and those who are obtaining a livelihood from the two classes above mentioned. Second- ly come those augaged in the import and export trade and their employds. The number of the people of this class is not very large. Thirdly, an army of petty traders who deal with the natives. This is numerically the strongest if it is not a very important class. It is highly satisfactory to observe, continues the Tokyo journal, that the Japanese engaged in export and import are gradually extending their influence. For example, the larger share of the export of beans and bean cake from Tairen is in the hands of Japanese. only a small percentage of the whole export trade being handled by Chinese and Europenos. (Thus "direct export" looks somewhat different from the standpoint of Japanese in Manchuria than it does in Japan.] With regard to the Ja- panese sharein the Newchwang trade, no reliable statistics are obtainable, but id view of the fact that during last year.90 per cent. of the exports and 43 per cent. of the imports were carried in Japanese boltoma it may be presumed that the Japanese share in the Newchwang trade is by Do means small.
beard's attitude towards the unification scheme. It did not originate from the Board, but from certain influential shareholders. From the first, however, the Board had been in the unification movement, sympathy with but for any scheme which would command
If the position of Japanese peity" traders in not in regard to any particular scheme,
Manchuria is not, economically speaking, very the general acceptance of all three classes important, the great activity and undagging of shareholders, believing, as they did, that it perseverance shown by them frequently in the was in the best interests of the syndicate that most trying circumstances is commendable, unification should be brought about. With the and will go a long way towards preparing the rejection of the scheme, the formulation of ground on which to engage in the more import separate profit and loss accounts was imposant warfare of trade and commerce The sible. If the items making up 4157,614 on the mere fact that many of these Japanese retailers credit sida were earnings arising from the are living in the native quarters redolent working of the concession, then the resulting with filth and squalor must be regard ast profit of £138,138 was casily divisible ised as testifying courage of a by no means the proportion of $5 per cent to the shanghai despicable order. The engaging in petty shares and 45 per cent, among other classes.trade with the Chinese, whose keen commercial But in regard to several of these items, and also instinct is almost a national trait, must be in regard to the correct disposal of the item frauget with many difficulties which can be "premium on issue of ordinary shares," in the folly appreciated only by those who are engaged capital account, there were doubts, and as at therein. When these traders have established a firm grip on the natives and implanted their present advised, the directors were unable to express an opinion one way or the other. Be influence in Manchuria, continues the writer, fore they could' da so it would be necessary it will be a great thing for Japan. The number to take counsel's opinion, and their judicial of these people is still necessarily in the docision. This would take time and would cost minority, but they are on the increase. Now money,-and-the-plan, therefore, which the that order in Manchuria has been restored and directors proposed was in refesin from dividing the days of targa gains easily acquired are now the accrued profits for this year and to endear past; success in business competition can be carry through the unification scheme obtained only by means of industry and per before the next annual meeting. The one paint which blocked the scheme was the ques" 11, Kowloon Villagos: The rateable velusion of limiting the operations of the syndicate, and the directors trusted that means might has increased from Sa50,367 to $163,115, an
be found to overcome this difficulty. With addition of $13,758 or 8'48 per cent,
a view to this they proposed very shortly to ask the committee who conferred with them on the previous occasion to meet them again for the purpose of making such alterations the Billa to ensum its acceptance by all classes of shareholders. He emphasized the fact that the Shaesi shares were intended to City of Victoria. Rest of Colony No. Rateable Valoe, No. Rateable Value, provide the working capital of the syndicate,
7. Yaumati:-The rateable value has increas ed from $233,145 to $156,6co, an addition of $23,495 or to 07 per cent.
8. Hunghom-The rateable value bar in: creased from $130,715 to $237.520, an addition of $6,805 or 2'94 per cent.
9 Mongkokroul The rateable value has decreased from $144,565 to $130,490, a reduc- tion of $14,075 or 973 per cent.
+
10. New Kowloon:-The rateable value bas
increased from 562,315 to Sta1,858, an addition of $41,543 pr. 66'65 per cent.
12. The Whole Colony-The rateable value has decreased from Sto,816,753 to $10,750,902, a slight reduction of $65,851 or o‘60 per cent.
13. Interim Valnations; -Between the rit July, 1908, and the 1st June, 1909, 243 interim valuations were made as follows:-
New and or rebuilt -
tcheniente.... 56 Treements struc
turally akered 24 Replacing
nunit of st
Assessments can
celled, tenenterils julled down, or being in oikei
GREEN ISLAND CO,'S RIVAL.. Vice.Consul General Williard B. "all, writ ing. from Canton, gives an account of the establishment of extensive works by the Chinese Government for the manufacture of building suppliesThe new cement works are located on Hoaam isl ad opposite the city of Canton and on the south-branch. of the Pearl River. The institution, which is known as the Chinese Government Cement Works, will have a daily output of 500 barrels, each barrel weighing 375 pounds act. The cement-making machinery it of German manufacture, having been made at Magdeburg, and cost approximately $131,219 gold. The buildings, which are all steel, cost $116,100 gold. The brick works, which are to be operated in connection with the cement works, cost $47,310, which includes all of the fire bricks used in the building of the kilos, The cement will be manufactured at a cost of about St.15 a barrel, and they expect to put in on the market at $5 Mexican barrel ($1.08 gold), This is c.23 a barrel cheaper than the Green widening of the bounds of knowledge Island cement made in Hongkong, but if the of the subject dealt with. This Colony will have reason to feel grateful. if the results competition becomes keen the Chinese can reduce their price considerably, as they expect include a better appreciation of the diffi
of the to be able to manufacturs the cement at a culty and complexity lower figure than it can be manufactured in dealt with inasmuch as that our difficulties and purplexities, nod our uncertainty as to the beneficial result of the drastic mea. sures forced upon us, will be to some extent shared and sympathised with by the wider world. This newly acclaimed pro-1909-19ta :- spect of a more sympathetic understanding of the matter encourages me to press for the small concession which will be made if Your Ex cellency can see your way to accepting: my motion. I imagine that under the circum. stance, it might escape discountenance from Hill home We have been constantly assured of consideration, Here is an opportunity of trans latiog words into acts,
Hongkong,
BANQUE DE L'INDU-CHINE.
ANNUAL REPORT.
Bonie interesting observations on the com mercial situation in the Far East appear in the roport of the Banque, de l'Indo-China on the past year. Referring to Chins, the report notes the unfavourable state of affairs which has pro vailed. At Shanghai the accumulated stocks are still wary important, and the backs have had to accord very large facilities to com merce to avoid an accentuation of the Crisis. Nevertheless, the critical pariad may be considered as past, The Bank has not suffered serious losses. At Hankow, the future commercial metropolis of Chian, the operallons of the bank's agency show marked progress. In the north, especially at Tientsin, the situation remains bad, and a long period will be necessary before the stocks of mer chandise imported, principally for speculation, Tian. can be realised: The Bank's agency tain is of too recent establishment to have
suffered from the crisis. There is every reason
question
The Colonial Secretary said that he under stood the object of Mr. Murray Stowart's· að- dress' was to postpone the operation of Clause
10
Mr. Murray Stewart-Certainly, . Considerable discussion then eroso as to the receiving of tenders, during which, H.E, the Governor said, that unoficial members would bave every opportunity of giving voice to their views when His Excellency would present the Estimates.
Mr. Murray Stewart said that the difference was that the Bill would in that care be operative,
while otherwise it would remain to be operative Mr. Hewett izid that it was a very poor plek on the part of Government to ask the unofficial members to rush the Bill through at the last 'moment before the unofficials had had time to consider the matter, and he wished to enter his protest as the representative of a certain section of the community.
respects not eat-
K1190, 61,
*
50.925-
12.51'5
itss
,335
able terminu 19. Jana *30,260 No. and increase.. g
3:42.972
3.055
£37.065
32931
14. Vacant Tenements:-The number of re-
ported vacant tenements in the City of Victoria inspected under Section 35 of the Rating Ordinance averaged about 150 monthly as compared with 180 last year.
ri
15. The following tabular statement gives a, comparison of the Valuation for 1938-1909 and
Do l'es
Divic
The City of
Valuation Valuation Jp. 1958-1909, 190g.rota. crease.
Create,
*
Victorin 4917,115 – 5,806,Bos
District Hongkong Villages...... Kowloon Point
&c. and Kowloon
censi
ik,320 3.30
514,002
552.159
Ha
онт
and that there were not, as sometimes seemned to be imagined, two companies. There were, bowever, two sets of shareholders, whose in. terests, were not entirely coincident on all points. An indefinite supply of coal had now bean assured, and the only question that re- mained was that of demead, Hitherto this point had been largely conjectural and, to some extent, it remained so, but so far as their ex- perience had gone the result had not been unsatisfactory..
ཎྜ་
Mr. George JamiesonD, C.M.G., seconded the motion,
Mr. L. Oury, representing a large group of Continental sbateholders, said he should voto against the adoption of the accounts, which, be contended, were not accompanied by sufficient explanations;
Mr. de Beaufort, who'a faw months ago re- presented a large group of Continental share boldars, also opposed the scheme because it did not include a clause limiting the syndicate's operations to its present concessions. He was convinced that any naification not preserving fotact the original object for which the Shan capital was raised would have been most in advisable.
The Chairman, in reply, said that if the ac counts were altered in the way Mr. de Beaufort desired, anification would be superfluous. It was for the purpose of avoiding af! tha lawsuits 841 which might possibly arise out of these.com.
plicated details that the board asked the sbare balders to agree to unification.
The resolution was carried, 24 voting for and bine against.
+4
201
Vilager ... 1,085,867 - 1,301,dal -"sol,aji
$18,816,751 10,750,903 #14,489, 180,zta, Deduct Increase
14,459
6585.0 16. Staff: Mr. Chao Kwok On and Mr. Tai Tic Shaog have discharged their duties to my satisfaction.
10th June, 1909.
Rataalle.
Year.
Value:
To Decrea
ARTHUR CHAPMAN,
/Assessor.
previous Year
pared with the
Mr. Robert Miller was re-elected a director of the company,
On the motion of the Chairman a resolution was passed voting Mr. George Brown'(the late Agent-General in China), in connection with
services.
severance,
With the increasing export of agricultural products from Manchuria the purchasing power of the Chinese is lacreasing, as is manifested by an expansion in the importation of foreign articles. It is simost impossible to obtain ac- curate reintos regarding the consumption of imported goods by the Japanese and Chiness, and this can only be surmised. It would not be wide of the mark, however, to assume that the greater portion of the goods imported through Newchwang are consumed by the Chinese and that the bulk of those arriving via Taisen are intended for the Japanese, though the Chinese share in the latter must be greater than that of the Japanese in the former. The value of imports at Newchwang for the last five years is as follows:-
T
1984 Tal 4,235,000 XODS...............të mira. 9,538,000 6,009,000 5.447,000
·6,160,000;
· 1906,mammamuimient 1907.......500) 1908..........
Apart from the exceptional circumstances. brought about by the war, the import trade, of Newchwang bar yearly been increasing at the rate of 1o to sa cent. The following are the
figures of imports for Taleen in recent years:
19c6............
-
1908.........
¿
Should smoking not cause after plantation has been entirely prohibited, people would be addicted entirely to foreign oplem. The polson would be worse. More money would be wasted" und greater harm would be done. . This would violate bygienic and economical principles.
In fact probibition of smoking and plantation must go hand-in-hand, and alí Ministries and Offices in and out of Poking are commanded to obey the several Edicts issued and carry out the matter in a faithful spirit. Any apathy in action will motail punishment on the negligent party, —N. C. D. Neros.____
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THE SHANGHAI ALHÄMBRA.
CESSATION OF A PUBLIC SCANDAL Once again has Shanghai'e noted gambilug resort, the Alhambra, drawn a cloth of mosen» ing over its gaming tables. No longar do the. roulette balls spin to the accompanying click ing of chips, and instead of the nightly scann of hilarity there in a mourafulioess about the so-called clubreoms suggestive of a closing, never to re-open. No reason is vouchsafed for this sudden termination of gambling festivities, and eager patrons anxious to risk their money in the games of chance are wondering what it is all about and when it is to end,
measure
This sudden closing, occurred several oyen- ings ago without warning. People arrived as usual after driving past the Settlement.limite and were met in the customary manner at the entrance of the establishment by an affable in- dividual clad in dress-suit, but instead of being courteously let to the inner rooms where the roulette wheels were wont to spiù unceasingly the guests were invited to partake of liquid re freshments at the big brightly-mirrored, bar, If musically inclined they were advised to at tend the concert-bail la an adjoining part of the large building where a solitary orchestra faint-heartedly-itled to instil a of encouragement into the atmosphers by the, playing of popular airs and now and again a solitary danseuss, airily clad, would appear and perform a light fantastic step or twa before, the footlights. But gambling? Na! That was strictly tabooed. The roulette tables and all gambling appartenatc-s had disappear ed. They had been mysteriously carted away. Where? Nobody knows. The only answer obtainable from the management arto all these strange proceedings was "We have lost heavily during the past few weeks and cannot start the game anew until more banking espital in acquired,"
no ends for all time, il reports are true, public, gambling in Shanghai. Not because. the
Dame.
famous "Alhambra - establishment - ie short of funds se alleged or that internecine strifa in known to prevail among the gamblers themselves, bat as a direct result of the active crusade being persistently waged by the Muni çipal police against this blot on Bhangbai's foir considered to have commenced several weeks The beginning of the end may well be ago when the police raided the place and not only carried away part of the gambling para phernalia but built a barricade on Siccawai Road, probibiting the public from passing to the establishment. Though the gamblers re taliated by threatening to bring legal proceedi ing against the police their threats resulted only to bringing about an armistice during which the police barrier was withdrawn and the gamblers sesumed their vocation.pending an In=" timation of approval or disapproval from the Spanish Minister in Pekin. This long-awaited decision at length arrived and hence the final. scene of mournfaleess. What the exact terms are cannot be definitely ascertained, but of one thing all parties are aspred and that in's The Shangbai caterie of notorious gamblers can no longer conduct their nefarious traffic. Should. they re-open la the future it will be with the aid of some newly discovered légal technicality, which bán been overlooked. - In fact many still consider that a legal “battle royal "- with the police will pet occur before the gamblers are finally induced to relinquish their grasp, upon Shanghai and purchase steamship ticksis for newer fields.
th
Their troublesome, history" in (conducting Y15,326,000
what has often been termed Skangbul's. "gild- 25,687,000 ed palace of ball" has long bean marvelled at 27,291,000 by residents throughout the Far East and is From the statistics quoted above it will banapally considered to be a relic of the ware of clear that the purchasing power of the Chinese the past ten years, in the Philippisteet) in Manchuria is steadily advancing. The wave Boxer campaign, and later, the Rosso-mese of business depression that has over balmed struggle. During these strenuous times, in- the world has not missed. Manchuria, where numerable camp-followers, gamblera... and complaints are louder and more general than blacklegs congregated in the Hart and when in Japan, at the Ataki Wailer is inclined to
pence fically prevailed, the horde, as if by the opinion that the wails proceed rather from mainal consent, selected throghal as a Mecca, building contractors, botel and restaurkot keep for future gambling operations, Invariably ore, women of dubious reputation and others without either country or religion they'sWors who depend on these classes for their living allegiance to any sad various Powers who gets thas from real business-men. Considering that representatives were either lax or herkes In the comparatively small Japanese population regard to assisting the local police authorities in stamping out (bo gembling ice, and secur«- in Manchoria includes 182 building contractors and more than 200 hotel and ton-house keepers, ed what they considered a permanent site.far and that Tairen alons boasts of an army of 869 a veritable Monte Carlo beyond the ipter.
national boundaries, on Chinese soil, an women who, though classified under various nomenclatures for official purposes, are engeg. essentially in a kindred profession, it is not surprising that there should be loud crias of #bosiness depression now that, the causes which have called these professions 'Into ax- intence have almost ceased to exist.-Japan Chronicle,
Who the stem director of affairs and political leavener of this cated place has bean for the past few yours will perhaps never be legally, definitely known. Ha, is reported to be an in- sidious worker. Ever in the background, direct- log operations from a safe legal point of vant- ago, he has persistently defnd Shanghai pabljć. ethics with a bravado which now appears to end ingloriously in the drawing of the closing silence, leaving the public to conjecture to it
leases.--Shanghai Jimeno
Mysers, Longmans have nearly fondy a work
Comparative statement shewing the rateable the retrocession of the Shansi concasslop a sta† HE. TIEK Liaxo, President of the Ministry |'curtain over bla ostablishment with a mysteriotë value of the Colony of Hongkong in each year of 1,000 in respect of such extraordiakry of War, has polated out to the Prince Regent that with the exception of the Hupeh, Klangen from 1900-at ta ¡909-1910 inclosive.
Mr. Ralph Burdett mousd a vote of thanks to and Yunnan provinces, each of which has the chairman and urged the board to push on || trained one division of troops, kad Chibli pro- in every way they could with the settlement of vinces, in which two divisions have been form. this matter of the distribution. Many of themed, none of the provinces have formed any on The Guilds of China, with an Account of had had large sums in this company for 10 years, divisions, so that the complete organization the Guild Merchant, or Co-Hong of Canton, by and now that they saw a profit of £130,000 of thirty-six divisions of smoops for the Army; Hossa Ballon Marss. The mathor is the walle Increma. | odd it asemed to him a little hard thle amonst | in Chion in the 4th year of Hsian Tong, cannot known former Statistical Secretary to the in- should not be divisible. They might apply be expected. He advocates the immediate re- spectorate General of Costoms In Okiak”. Mr. for no isjunction to restrain the company from | adjustment of fionaces, so as to provide funds | Morte has retired, and, it fa wall known, 'yun parting with any of that £138,000, and that to carry out the army scheme, and that the pro- posen to devote the leisure'de han "eamed to would bring about a settlement by the Court, vincial governments should be forced to con: writing on China subjectar! "Tall/will-16 tha "The resolution was carried, and the proceedj | tribute the "funds required;" The 'Regent: fully first olj, li is hoped, much that will now front
endorses his viswa
(his pen": The Durimu | Inge terminated.
to be antisfied with the commencement made by the new agency at Peking. The operations at Singapore were maintained at the figure of the preceding year, while the agency at Bangkok experienced much activity and focords an all-round advance... The general movement of the productive operations of the bank's branches ant agencies rose last year to £1,324,293,163 and that of corrent accounts to £433,040,033, increases of 54 millions and 46 millions respectively, compared with the pre-
His Excellency the Governor, on rising, saldo,1, -coding ¡year. The circulation of the bank's metas oscillated between 57 and 654 millions | that when the Bill was read a second time, the "compared with the figure of 69. millions ap.
1997:
A division was then taken, when all the offi. clais voted against the motion and all the unoffi cials in favour of the motion. The motion was. "thus lost by a'majority of one'
860.559
617,450
o Decreasa,
onofficial members unanimously voted against 16,816,715. 200,20
He hoped that after. Council had heard