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I fully agree with what has fallen from as his. The only matter in which we might differ perhaps is as to how and the Attorney-General. I think that the when and where this sentiment should be great Imperial question cannot be over- The aim and object of every expressed. Sentiment is a very poor looked.
war is a lasting peace, and this motion guide amongst the cold hard facts of
Cromer, who Lord
is quite contrary to that idea of a lasting economics, perhaps one of the ablest statesmen and peace, and therefore I am freely follow- administrators of the British Empire in ing my own convictions in voting against recent years, had occasion to consider this it.
as the question of trade after the war just before
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gontlemen, his death, and his judgment, given just Attorney-General has pointed out, the before his death (it was perhaps the last supporters of this resolution support it judgment he gave before his death), was
on two grounds. One of them may be - retalia- that an economic war with Germany summed up in the one word after this war based on revenge would tion." The other is on economic grounds. be a pernicious and fallacious policy N in my humble opinion it is far too Now, Sir, an opinion like that from such early to talk about retaliation. Of one an able statesmen as Lord Cromer ought thing I myself at firmly convinced, and to make us pause before embarking on a that is, that the English people, who are policy which is based merely on senti distinguished above all things for their ment. But what I want chiefly to refer love of justice, will never sheathe the to is the other ground put forward by sword, nor will their Allies sheathe the the hon. member, and that is, the cone sword, until the crimes which have been mic arenment, that Germans should committed by the German army in this exclude from the Colony for ten years
war are thoroughly expiated. I feel con- after the war, because they introduced fident that the persons who ordered the here unsound commercial methods. One crimes will be brought to punishment. must accept, of course, the opinion of the am quite sure that the blood of the Chamber of Commerce that a cash basis massacred passengers of the Lusitania, for the trade of this Colony, is thr alt and, worse than that. the blood of Miss advantageous for the British merchants Cavell, and even worse than that, the here. No doubt they are the best judges most foul case of all-the blood of the of that themselves. But one cannot help murdered Captain Fryatt, will nut call remembering that credit is an incident for justice ta vain. We may well leave of commerce all over the world, and at to those who will have the terms of that trade lives by credit, and I do not ace under their consideration. a the see how when, after the war, the Gerther question, the question of economics, mans return to neighbouring ports, as 1 con less I expected to hear a far graver I suppose they will, we are to prevent indictment against the German merchants. able and energetic merchants just outside and their methods than the indictment. our border from again introducing into that has been put forward. It is mainly this Colony by means of agents or inter hat they followed a credit system. Well, mediaries a credit system such as exists the Attorney-General has answered that in hundreds of other trading centres as far as it is necessary to answer it. I
Of course, with would only throughout the world.
IM remark, the contention out combinat:ou between all the import.1s, to
of the bon. Buch a system as the cash system could not member who represents the Justices be maintained. In other words Sir. I
of the Peace that the official think that the policy proposed will not side of this Council ought to accept the be efficacious in effecting the end for opinion of the Chamber of Commerse on which it is proposed. That is the answer that subject, that the support given to to the economic argument. As I said that part of the argument by the repre- before, if we are asked to embark on this sentative of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson policy merely because we want to act in
& Co. was exceedingly wesk. He said accordance with the natural and just that it did not carry much weight, and] sentiment, then I say that we are asked to
he band his argument principally upon enter an unknown country with a blind the vindication of humanity and justice. leader as guide.
And what of our large Chinese commer cial community! They happen to
the wealth of this four-fifths of Colony, and to pay 97 per cent. of the rates and taxes. Why, we have them both Therefore, opposed to the resolution.
H.E. The GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING I have listended very attentively to what has been said by the proposer of this motion and other speakers, and although I sympathise with their sentiments, yet
answer
own
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the argument finds support in one Com | mercial member only. I admit he is a redoubtable member. He represents tho Chamber of Commerce.
Hon. Mr. HoLYOAK-Do I understand you to say, Sir, that I am not a com- mercial man!
HIS EXCELLENCYy--I certainly did not say that. I said you carried undoubted weight as representing the Chamber of Commerce.
SE
FIG
com-
banks coming here, won't it interfere with His answer wae:- your business i "
Business makes banks, and the more banks in Hongkong the more the Hong- kong bank will make." And his words have been justified by the event. Gentle- have been men, in this debate there some very wise words spoken by the Hon. Mr. Lan Chu Pak, one of the Chinese members. He has once more shown that in this crisis the Chinese community, who have rendered splendid service to this Government by offering personal HIS EXCELLENCY then proceeded-Pur- services, and by giving us much money, have kept their heads. They have not suing the argument as to economics for
lost them. He says, and he says truly, one moment. I have been connected with the Government for 36 years, and I have that the resolution should not be passed been connected with Council for 30 years, until you find out what the countries If, like Father Aeneas, I could find which surround us are going to do. Charon to ferry across the river These happen to be Russia, Japan, Styx, and visit the shades of the dead, China herself, Indo-China, the Philip- and be able to have speech with some of pines, and I may even include Austra the really big men of the past whom is. It would be a nice thing would it Hongkong has produced-William Ke not-to find Hongkong isolated among wick and Thomas Jackson-and
the surrounding and competing ports of this municats
resolution to them, these countries.
It would advantage her it does the excluding
entry
nothing, absolutely nothing. It has been into this pont of German ships, said that the Dominions have expressed well, in the words of & popular song which was sung recently by a very opinions in unison with this resolution. I do not quite know what is meant there- fascinating young lady, supported by a very proper figure of a young man, they by, because I read my papers and Parlia would never believe me." Or, if I could mentary papers very carefully, and I not yet seen any suggestion take the wings of an eagle and soar over have to England and whisper in the ears of from anywhere that Germans should Thomas Henderson Whitehead, Edward actually be excluded from the King's war. The hon. Osborne, Murray Stewart, C. H. Ross, Dominions after the or C. W. Dickson, some of those hard member who represents the Justices of headed and sound men
the Peace made a strong point that the former days,
them and tell
that Government should not reject this re- it WAB proposed lightly to exclude solution on the ground that it was an German tonnage from this barbour, well, Imperial concern and did not concern again I am sure, they would never be
us. He also expressed the strong opinion lieve mc. Gentlemen, if the policy of that we ought to accept the resolution be- the Chamber of Commerce for the last cause it was endorsed by the Hongkong 36 years I will not go further back-has General Chamber of Commerce. been right, then the Chamber of Com- There are two Chambers of Commerce in merce to-day is wrong. Their watchword the Colony. I have dealt with the latter during those years has been shipping part of the question already. With re- is the life-blood of the Colony." I be gard to the first part I would say
have And I believe, further, that
no intention of lieve in that. in another watchword which they preach escaping the responsibility of not accept- ed-that the prosperity of this ing this resolution because it deals with Colony depends upon the Colony an Imperial matter. We are convinced remaining: ak far 25 possible, 2 all the officials at this table that the I remember when there was proposal contained in the resolution is free port. An invasion of foreign banks into this not in the interests of the Colony. The Colony-the Russian bank, Japanese Chinese community are not in favour of bank and a German bank, and a Dutch the resolution, if we are to believe their bank and someone said to Sir Thomas representatives, and I have no doubt we Jackson:" There are a lot of these can believe them. Therefore, our deci-
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