8
CHINESE OPTICAL CO.
Refracting
and
Manufacturing
Crookes Glasses
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,
FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1926.
TRADE STATISTICS.
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SINGON & CO., ESTABLISHED A.D. 1880] HING LUNG ST.
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58, Natlian Road, Kowloon.
"Under English Management
Orders for Wines, Liquors Provisions. Fresh Fruit
trades have been fumped instead December 11th, 1925,
otherwis of Trade Stati
DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL FINANCE the British manufacturers atment as from 1st October, 1925, of great use for business purposes,
COMMITTEE.
of being differentiated between, Sir,I have the honour to rater as to the suggested alternative Statistical returns of Imports and to the decision of Government to method of compiling them, A cons exports are of immense im- abolish the Statistical Branch of siderable majority expressed the portance both to this Colony and the Imports and Exports Depart-opinion that Trade Statisties are Home. I submit, Sir, that the announced in a letter to the Cham-although most of the British and small sum compared with the imber from the Superintendent of Foreign Merchants sat no "value" portance of the figures required Imports and Exports, dated 25th upon statistics of native" trade. for keeping up this department, September. This decision has The Chinese Chamber, on being Is well worth spending, and that been carefully considered by asked, expressed a similar opinion it would be a penny wise and feaveral Committees of the Cham-with regard to the latter statistics. pound foolish policy to cut out ber and they are unanimous in A large majority favoured the sug were the department altogether. I do urging that trade statistics are gested new method of rendering a The Finance Committee of the Borneo. The Committee
neces-of vital service to the commerce combined periodical Return on one Legislative council met yester-very sceptical as to the value of subrait, Sir, that it is a day to consider the question trade figures at all, and doubted sity, and that we cannot afford to of the Colony, and that the form, in preference to filling up Statistical Branch should be re-an Import or Export Permit a of re-establishing the Statistical whether the keeping of any figures do without it,
DIVERSITY OF OPINION.
C. E. WARREN & Department. The Colonial Secre- was worth the time, money and The Chairman: The opinion of instated, the system of Import and respect of each shipment."
Co., Ltd.
CHINA BUILDING
(Oppostes Quor's Theatre)
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BOYCE - MOTOMETERS
II. K. $7.50 UP
said:
17th
tary presided and in introducing bother involved. Only two mem-the Government is distinctly ad-Export Declarations being revived The Chairman. I know a gen the subject said: Members of the bers dissented from this view.
verso to this further request from in order to provide the material eral opinion was expressed in Finance Committee will remember Much emphasis was laid on the the Chamber that we should re-from which the statistics are direct contravention to a previes
general opinion, MT, His Ex-compiled."" that at the last meeting we post-freedom of the port. Some of consider the matter.
It appears from discussions Hon. Mr. Holyoak: There will poned the subject of the Statistical the shipping representatives prucellency is bringing the matter up Department of the S. I. E. It was sent thought that all the neces- for Informal discussion now to during the introduction of the never be unanimity on this subject, abolished last year at the time of sary information in a "sufficient see whether reasons sufficiently Budget that the consideration of because quite naturally the ship- the retrenchment, and no criticism accurate form could be ren-convincing can be brought for expense weighed largely with the ping men, would be opposed to it. MOTOR ACCESSORIES was then made: in fact the dered by the shipping companies ward to justify a reconsideration Government in deciding to aban- The Chairman: For what ren-
opinion of the Government that it supplying a manifest in a slightly of the decision, which was formed, don the compilation of statistics. Bon?
Hon, Mr. Holyoak. Because of was not value for the money spont fuller form than at present, with as I told you just now, on Mr. The Chamber would urge that the
saving of $44,000.00 acheved. by the extra trouble of obtaining per- ALEMITE GASCOLATORS was supported by several members values inserted, the ampunts be Lloyd's advice.
commite and the possible holding up of of the commercial community. -
ing gucased from the standard Hon. Mr. Bird: Can you in-closing the Branch, is of The Hon. Mr. David Landale, packing
usually employed inform us how many copies of these paratively small account in com-cargo.
Hon. Mr. A.0. Lang: It does speaking on the
October, various trades. Many members statistics were bought by mer-parison with the normal trade of
the Port, which last year amount not inconvenience the shipping 1918, in the Legislative Council did not see why value should be chants?
wanted at all. The merchant in The Chairman; I think very ed to: 2186,800,000. The statistics office to any very great extent. I "We particularly, wish to know terested only wanted quantities. few.
provide information of great value think the permits are obtained by in what way the $50,000 asked for I pointed out that for statistical
Mr. Lloyd: In 1922 the total respecting foreign competition the merchants themselves,
with British goods, the movement! The Chairman: Is the value this year for the Imports and
of commodities, and the fuctua worth the cost? Exports Office is going to be purposes a common denominator number of returns sold were, I was needed to show tendencies. think, about 284. That is for a
tions, which occur from time to Unofficial Member's Opinion, spent. We wish to know how it The reply was that this only in-whole year, of five issues.
Hon. Mr. Lang: That is a is proposed to construct this terested newspapers and writers Hon. Mr. Holyoak: The value time in the staple trades of the
Colony, for example, the rice point I am not in a position to building, and are most strongly of articles and reports. It was of this department cannot adverse to any piecemeal construc-made quite plain to me that the estimated by the number of copies trade, which in recent deco give an opinion on at the moment.. passed through vicissitudes, clearly The question one must ask oneself tion such as was effected in build- average British" business man gold. ing the Law Courts, with such in the Colony makes little use of The Chairman: The question indicated in the statistics.
is of what urae are these £gures? Through the present suspension cannot any that they are of any disastrous results..
statistice and can see little prac-being discussed is whether, the "We hope the construction of tical use in them. This has been statisties are worth the expendi-of the Statistical Branch the effect great value to the merchant what this building does not foreshadow my impression since I have been ture. The expenditure will be of the anti-British Boycott, upon soever. That has been my opinion ali
something in the region of the Colony's trade can
through and I have said so to the mands of this office which The Sub-Committee finally de- $70,000, and then the accommo- vaguely estimated, although it is Chamber of Commerce, but my col- only put up with as a war mea-cided to ask the Chinese Chamber dation for a large staff would be of the greatest Importance to know leagues out-voted me,
24 precisely as possible the course I naturally bow to the sure, and have very largely in- of Commerce whether the Agures in addition to that. We cannot, creased the clerical labours in all for purely Chinese coastal trade in any event, put it in hand this strength and effectiveness of the opinion of the majority.
attack now being made upon the The Chairman: I am not asked shipping and other offices.
to put the matter to a definite vote, Hon. Mr. Holyoak: The Com-Colony's vital resources. Thia must not be lost sight of that were of any use to Chinese mer-year, Hongkong owes its prosperity to Committee of the Chamber whe-mittee of the Chamber of Com-year, Export Trade is principally
a general discussion reasons can
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The Chamber's Invitation. Subsequently the S. I. E.,
the Chamber of Commerce to dis- cuss with the Shipping Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, this
Chamber
1
very question of the continuation commodities, and the question Shipping Companies" Opposition, ing the cost of compiling statistics, 6gures, I might easily change my
of the Statistical Department of arose of finding new securces of
opinion.
his office. His report I will read taxation, but they held that this opinions were distinctly adverseas few headings as possible. The of Commerce would be the right
Hon. Mr. Lang:
I certainly
resume the versed. So far we have a con- much simplified and confined to formed the Council we only had highly desirable to
five days in which to consider the compilation of statistics with the sensus of opinion on the other side, foreign ports only, Mr. The Committee realised that matter. From what I gather the beginning of the year, in order and note unanimous tra Lloyd, was invited by letter from statistics of trade might be of use discussion Mr. Lloyd had with the that the hiatus may be as far as opinion. Shall I leave it at that?...
practicable reduced,
Hon. Mr. Lang: If I could ascer·· for revenue purposes where there Sub-Committee of the
As to possible means of reduc-tain what use is made of these was entirely with shipping men. was regular taxation of various
The Chairman: At the meeting clerical work might be lessened by it appears to this Chamber that' with the shipping committee, the
The Chairman: The Chamber under classifying Chinese cargo to you in a moment, and we can did not apply to the present cir-
Hon. Mr. Holyoak: It was ob-
Chinese Chamber of Commerce, body to persuade you, vious the shipping companies take the report at its face value cumstances of the Colony. The because there has been no further general feeling seemed to be an-would be opposed because it gives in a letter to this body dated 27th letter from the Chamber of Com-tagonistic to the keeping of any them a good deal of extra tremble. May, 1924, expressed the opinion purchase every quarter copies of merce on the same subject. The statistics at all. I told the Com-whilet undoubtedly it did at the that the statistics of Chinese this publication, but I cannot re- report I may say is entirely admittee that if full figures were re-start give considerable extra work Trade with Far Eastern Ports member having referred to it for verse, and it is very clear that quired I could not recommend any to shipping companies, to mer have not much value to the Chi-quite a considerable time. I have the Statistical Department cannot alteration in the present system, chants and the Government de nese shipping and trading com-sent copies of the publication show value for money, and, in taking into fact, is of no value whatsoever.
heterogeneous nature of the mer- The invitation of the Chamber of cantile community we have here." Feration for some time it begun to work quite smoothly and there Hon. Mr. Holyoak: Is there Commerce was contained in
were practically Do objections letter dated 28th April, 1924, any covering letter to that to the toward the end,
Hon. Mr. Bird: Why did the Chamber of Commerce appoint a
ก
consideration the partments, when it had been "in munity. Totals cannot be neg-home, and it has been pointed out
Chamber of Commerce or a" report which was ab follows:
"With reference to the Govern-of the Sub-Committee?
The Chairman: This ment's letter dated March 28th.
is Mr.
I am directed to enquire whether Lloyd's report to the Government,
the Shipping Sub-Committee of and the Sub-Committee and the this Chamber may have the
Hon. Mr. Holyoak: I cannot re-
to which out.
The Chairman Is that worth
lected, because the purely Chinese to me that the figures are not quite trade forms so large a proportion accurate.
Hon. Mr. Holyoak: That is of the whole, but until Chinese:
pry desire forbably true. Take a concrete exam- merchants express a differentiation of particular items ple. If you want to find out a. it is considered that native trade year from now what effect the Sub-Committee simply of ship-eral headings for Statistical puron the trade of the Colony, if you
might be treated under a few gen. recent condition of affairs has had", ping men?
poses, and the Department con-abandon your department you have Chamber of Commerce have never eollect the exact circumstances centrate on-articles of foreign no means whatsoever of finding advantage of a discussion with followed up that meeting with any which led to the appointment of commerce, in regard the statistical officer of the Im-communication to the Govern- that Committe. It would be dealt statistics are generally desired, ports and Exports Department on
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish Sub-Committee because the in-
with first of all by the Shipping and are more accurately obtain the money?
Hon. Mr. Holyoak: Perhapa the subject of the suggested
Policy.
The cost of the statistics might not in itself alone, but it ought to amendments to the regulations)
formation has to be supplied by: Hon. Mr. Holyoak: To the best
also, it is suggested, be reduced by: be information which a port of the them to Government officers. under the Imports and Exports Ordinance No. 12 of 1922. It is of my recollection Mr. Lloyd met
The Chairman: It was simply abandonment of quarterly publica-importance of Hongkong ought to the Sub-Committee of the Cham- desired to discuss in connection
an invitation from the Chamber tion; publication of summaries only be able to give. Any little town with these amendments some sug-' ber of Commerce, and the question of Commerce, sent by the Secre-once a year; and sale of the stalls in England has its Statistical gestions whereby it is hoped that as a whole had never been dealt tary, to know whether the Ship-ties of each commodity on Department. the clerical work of the Statistical with by the General Committee of ping Sub-Committee might have separate sheets as applied for, at a Department, shipping companies the Chamber. The first occasion the advantage of a meeting with certain price, say $1, per sheet. and merchants alike may be re-it in recent years-we' need not
the Committee had of dealing with Mr. Lloyd. - duced."
go back Into the ancient history
Mr. Lloyd's Report.
ment.
able.
The Chamber trusts that the Gov. Mr. Lloyd: I think I can ex-ernment will find it possible to Mr. Lloyd, in his report, stated of 1918-was a letter from the Plain it. I proposed certain small resume the compilation of the "As directed 1 attended a meet-Colonial Secretariat, dated 26th order to tighten up the method of have the honour to be, Sir, Your
amendments to the regulations in Trade Statistics at an early date, ing of the Shipping Sub-Com- September, 1920, and stating that collecting the statistics. The Goobedient servant, mittee of the Chamber of Com.the department..would be closed vernment then referred them to
on the 30th September, 1926. -- It merce to discuss the proposed amendments to the Ordinance gave us exactly five days in which the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce stated “we| to discuss the matter. We held a for the registration of imports meeting on the 28th September would like to discuss these between and exports. The Sub-Committee
and there was insufficient time to our Shipping Sub-Committee and
the Statistical Department.”
at once raised the whole question go carefully into the whole ques-attended, and instead of the dis-
M. F. KEY, Secretary.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary,
Hongkong.
Report Quoted.
Hon. Mr. Lang: "Is it not pos- sible to get practically all the Information necessary in this con-- nection from the Chinese Maritime Customs, peopie? This, after all,
most of the goods exported will go only a distributing centre-Hong- kong is not a consuming centre-and
through the Maritime Customs,
The Chinese View. The Chairman: You would cer tainly be sure of accuracy then. Mr. Kotewall, could you tell us how the Chinese view this ques- Hon. Mr. Holyoak: The Cham-tion? Are the statistics of any
--Hon. Mr. Kotewall: "I bellove "Exploration of the subject led about two years ago the Chinesa
of permits. They pointed out the tion. You will note, Sir, that the cussion being confined to these ber of Commerce report for 1924 particular value to them? trouble in getting permits before objections which were raised in shipping or taking delivery of connection with this matter very few small amendments that on this subject saya: cargo. They suggested that all being unnecessary and something put forward, the discussion was
£8
permits should be abolished, and in the nature of a nuisance, were broadened out and finally resolv-to В discussion whether the Chamber of Commerce was crn
རྩྭ
in place, the steamship companies raised almost entirely by the ship-ed itself, after about an hour and Colony's trade statistics are worth sulted, but I think the question should furnish particulars of ping members of the Sub-Commit-a half, into a general discussion the trouble and expense which was considered by the Executive all cargo, or that merchants should tee. The general merchant feels to whether the statistics were their collection involves: A staff Committee and not the General be called on to furnish a periodi-Ing-1 think, Sir, I speak with any good. The Sub-Committee of from 40 to 50 clerks is required Committee. My Chinese colleague cal return of all cargo shipped er some confidence of the Chamber decided it was a question for the and the cost of the Statistical De-and I ask that the Chinese Cham- imported.
and of the Colony, is that you can-
General Committee, and the pro-partment is apparently close upon ber of Commerce he given an op The Committee expressed the not afford to have a first class posal was made finally that the $100,000 per annum; and this to portunity to have the matter coll view that the collection of figures port Hike Hongkong atanding as whole question of whether the collect statistics which are admit-sidered again by a full General for purely Chinese exports and the only place in the world which statistics should be abolished or tedly incomplete, since the roturns Committee.
not should be referred to the do not include, amongst other The Chairman: Have you cor imports by coastal ships was mere does not keep satistical records. waste of time and money and that The Chairman: Another factor General Committee, who could take things, general cargo arriving sidered it? The the Chinese merchants did not is that we are a free port and can the general opinion of the mem-from ports in Chins south of make any use of the statistics at not keep accurate statistica.
hers as to whether the Depart Swatow and from Macao, a portion the past it has been considered
1 carried on or not, ment could be ca
of the cargo Arriving from the once in 1924,
The Chairman: There was rG Chinese ports of Swatow, Amey The Chamber's Case.
and Foochow, and cargo carried by great enthusiasm shown? The Chairman: The latter gative craft.
Hon Mr Kotewall: One
all. It was suggested that the Hon. Mr. Holyoak; „Even 80, keeping of statistics should be Sir, they can be kept within a cer- confined to the import and export of cargo from and to foreign countries other than Chinn an the neighbouring ports, auch Singapore, Manila, Formosa" and
Hon. Mr. Kotewall;
tain degree of exactitude and made enormously more useful by more aub-divisions, then they have from the Secretary of the Cham- "It was ultimately decided to or the other, DO, in the past, Many of the records ber of Commerce sent In Deceni-take the opinion of Merchants have been useless because, wholeber, 1925, was as follows:
generally, as to the usefulnas,
I think in
The Chairman: As far (Continued on Page 18