There is little doubt that the control of the Canton-Kowloon line being vested in the Board of Communications at Peking, and not in the Viceroy, makes for delay, but it is clear that as a result of past experience the Chinese Government are determined that railways shall be national and not local undertakings, and that they are endeavouring gradually to recover control of all provincial railways. Such is the attitude of the Chinese Government on the subject that I do not think any useful purpose would be served by pressing for general control of the Canton-Kowloon line by the Viceroy, instead of the Board, and on the whole, I am disposed to consider that in the long run the centralisation of control over the railways will tend to a more efficient and uniform administration.
In conclusion, I would add that the question of expenditure on railway construction is a very delicate one to discuss with the authorities of the Board of Communications, who are fully aware of the criticisms which have been passed on the outlay which the British section of this particular line has entailed, and who frequently