HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
RECO 6490
Received 27 FEB 00
273
HongKong, 19th January, 1900.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter (No.2178) of the 15th ultimo, covering copy of a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, together with copies of the correspondence sent therewith relating to a proposal for establishing a Conservancy Board for the Woosung River.
The correspondence from Shanghai had already been received from the Chamber of Commerce at that port, and this Chamber is in full sympathy with the project though it does not directly affect this port. I am instructed by the Committee to express the hope that the Government will give its cordial support to the project on general principles. Anything that is likely to conduce to the alleviation of the excessive burdens imposed on shipping frequenting Shanghai must benefit the trade of China, in the development of which this Colony is deeply and directly interested.
As matters now stand, owing to the unsatisfactory state of the approaches to Shanghai, which entail heavy lighterage expenses and vexatious and costly detentions, added to the exorbitant tonnage dues levied, much of the shipping trading with the Far East which would otherwise call there...
Honourable Colonial Secretary.
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