243
CANTON KOWLOON RAILWAY.
MINUTES OF MEETING (the 3rd) HELD AT THE WAIWU PU ON MONDAY THE 3rd SEPTEMBER AT 3 p.m.
Present:-
H.E. T'ang Shao-yi, Kung Paotai and Mr Hu, Representing the Viceroy of Canton.
Messrs. Chu Pao Fay and En, Secretaries to the Waiwupu, and Mr J.O.P. Bland, Representing the British and Chinese Corporation, Limited.
The Minutes of the last meeting were accepted as correct.
Discussion of Article 9 of the Canton Viceroy's proposals was resumed, and continued at considerable length. H.E. TANG eventually expressed his willingness to modify his previous decision so far as to agree that after tender British goods should have preference at equal prices and that 5% commission would be paid on all purchases of British goods.
MR BLAND recapitulated the arguments already advanced and expressed the opinion that it would be useless to lay such a proposition before the Directors of the Corporation. He further drew attention to the fact that the Chinese Government, which had hitherto put forward the views of the provincial authorities and gentry as a reason for modifying the terms of the Shanghai Nanking Loan Agreement, was in the present instance endeavouring to impose conditions far more stringent than those deemed desired by the Provincial Viceroy.