112 Bellashuving expressed his dissent, instead of speaking sympathetically the evident desire of Her Majesty's Government to further, by all proper methods, the development of British trade, an appreciation of the step in advance that has been made, and which is one important matter that we regard so much attention has been directed to the keen competition which British trade has now to encounter abroad, and the prominent position which has been obtained, in China and Japan, by German and French manufacturers, methods which have been, and are pursued with the object of securing it again from attack.
The special requirements, which recent development in those countries has called into existence, have necessitated exceptional steps being taken to prevent British manufacturers, especially of those articles which the exigencies, political and otherwise, of the times demand, from being practically excluded from use, and in endeavour to guard against this danger, our firm has made arrangements, involving onerous responsibilities, but which we are glad to say have not been entirely ineffective. Among the steps we have taken has been that of securing the services of Mr. Gatley, who had been for some years a member of Her Majesty's Consular Service in China, and it is to this that the members of the Committee of the Chamber, under a complete misapprehension of the facts of the case, refer not obscurely, and we think ungenerously, in the latter part of their letter.
We think it well to direct the attention of His Excellency the Acting Governor to this matter, in case that representations might be made, which might have the effect of discouraging Her Majesty's Consul in their efforts.