197
:
This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
PT 14.
8563
[September Pr
SECTION 1.
ELAY 009
No. 1.
480
(No. 182.) Sir,
The Marquess of Salisbury to Mr. Bax-Ironside.
Foreign Office, September 9, 1899.
1 HAVE had under my consideration your despatch No. 156 of the 10th June last, submitting a scheme, proposed by the Shanghae General Chamber of Commerce, and approved by Her Majesty's Consul-General at that port, for the formation of a Conservancy Board for the water approaches to Shanghae.
The Board of Trade, who were consulted on the subject, suggest that, in the event of a Conservancy Board being established, not only should proper accounts of receipts and expenditure be kept and duly published as proposed, but provision should be made for the reinetion of the contemplated tax in case of a surplus of revenue in the same manner as its increase is proposed in case of a deficit.
The Board further suggest that special care should be taken to insure the allocation of the funds which may be at the disposal of the Conservancy Board to
proper uses only.
A Memorandum by Mr. G. Jamieson,† late Her Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghae, on the proposal is also inclosed.
You should use your endeavours to obtain the acceptance of the scheme, bearing in mind the suggestions made by the Board of Trade.
* Board of Trade. September 4, 1899.
[2184 6-1]
(Signed)
I am, &c.
SALISBURY,
+ Memorandum by Mr. Jamieson, July 28, 1599,
T