149

already reposed in this Savings Bank

than the fact that Chinese, who,

twelve per cent

interest, are

regard

as the nonnal rate of

depositing money

there

at 3% ! Had the Government worked

Back on

the Singapore

the Savriegs plan, the funds would still merely brave been deposited in local Banks,

and in case

of their failure the

Trecemery

would have been responsible for the whole crinout. I learn however that the Straits Government is anxious

aud

that the breach of the Houghong Shanghai Bank established there should relieve it of the charge of the Savings Bank. I presume that means that the Singapore Government finds that

clerks cannot be asked to continue to

perform

perform fatiguing duties on

merely

nominal allowances, and that the..

margin of profit secured on the feeds deposited allows of no

more substantial

reuveneration.

7.

In conclusion

I may say

that

the trifting facilities granted to the new Lavings Bank (which is in

a success do

so far) are merely.

every way

experimental and tentative. The Government could of course withdraw them, but it has no power to clove the Savings Bank.

(Signed) A Fister

Treasurer.

Hongkong, August 14th 1884

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