!
490
itself
to
- 16 -.
kept revolving. Therefore, it did not matter what the times were, whether they sold at a loss or sold at a profit, it was casential to them, in order to carry on their trade not only to go on selling but, what
age. (Hear, hear.) It has been said, it was said in Council, that the appeal made was largely one based on sentiment, and was one which ignored economic facts. In the first place, gentlemen, it is impossible in connection with this
Was more material to them to go on buying. That is a point I war to ignore sentiment. (Applause) The entry of England into this war in
wish to enforce and ask you to dwell the very first place was entirely and upon. I also wish to emphasise the point absolutely due to sentiment, namely, that that British merchants of this Colony we should fulfil our treaty obligations to
were opposed in their trade by goods, the nation of Belgium. (Applause) made by Lancashire firms, which were sold at a loss by Germans, and sold And, gentlemen, it is impossible to con- ceive that as a result of this war senti merely to keep the credit revolving in order to moet due bills, In de- ment in connection with it will die down
connection of obligations in for many years to come, and therefore fonec we cannot afford to ignore it. (Ap with trust deeds and bills, they mis- plause.) You will notice that I am en- applied funds which should have been deavouring in presenting this case to used for paying off, without indefinite present it without passion, and to deal delay, due bills. I say again, that that with it calmly and logically as it sort of business was immoral from first presents
Lo last. (Applause.) I ask you, gentle- Committee, your and as I trust it will appeal to you.inen, whether you are prepared to admit I propose now to deal with the economic back into your midst men who are pre- argument which, it has been said, pared to reconstitute this kind of busi- we did not sufficiently dwell upon.
ness when, after much pains and tremen- Gentlemen, I really felt it was unneces
dous struggling, the trade of the Colony sary to argue it at length because the dis has once more been pat upon a sound closures in connection with the liquida- cash basis. (Voice No.) And as I said tions were such common property in this in the Council, the condition of this Colony that it did not seem necessary to
Colony to-day is healthier and sounder than it has been for many years past- argue then at length, but as it seems desirable to speak more fully upon it I
Allow them to come back and seek to will proceed to do so. I said in my
do trade, which from the very nature speech that the return of the Germans of things they must offer en term
no self-respecting British firm to Hongkong would su Inimical to the which
think
I of accepting interests of Hongkong. That is the basis would
did not speak of the wider credit system of of
our economie argument. (Ap- plause.) I have no hesitation in saying trade to which the Attorney-General that at least 60 per cent. of the German made reference. The trade in the Hinter trade in this Colony was done in British land, where large Government and en- cargo. Now, gentlemen, let us pause for gineering contracts are concerned, and a moment to consider what that means.
where there may be opposition to British To all of us who are intimately acquainted firms, may have been allowed to lapse with the textile trade, and largely from somewhat, and we think it may be pos my own practical and personal experi-sible that ence, it has been well known that there have been many occasions in the past ten years where Lancashire travellers in this Colony have reported large sales to
German firms when British merchants. who had precisely the same cargo
and lying in their godowns
were prepared to accept spot cash prices for it. were unable to sell. And yet large sales took place. Why! Because the whole basis of the textile trade, and of other trades in connection with German business bere. was built up upon a credit basis, for which the credit had to be
British firms will have to consider its development upon credit lines, with the assistance of the banks. in order that the trade of the Hinterland
should be more widely pushed than it has been in the past. It is true that in the past we have left much of that trade,
German
We competitors. have realised now that large Trade
In our
was done, and possibly a pay- ng trade was done, and that it must be developed possibly on similar lines, but It was further hinted that if you did we shall endeavour to make them sounder.
not allow the Germans
to returo
to
-17-
Hongkong it might lead to the develop- The Hon. Mr. C. E. ANTON-Those of ment of Swatow, Amoy and other you who read my speech at the Legisla outports with railway communication tive Council may probably have recognis between those places and Canton, and ed that I based my argument chiefly on possibly the development of other parts. sentimental grounds, not from the com- Gentlemen, in the first place, I doubt mercial point of view, though I have my very much whether for some years to views on that. After all is said and come they will be financially in a posi- done, we cannot guide our policy by a tion to finance any big railway scheme mere matter of pounds, shillings and Or any big commercial development pence. (Applause) I am aware that scheme. But if they were I have no hesi. there are arguments, strong arguments, tation in saying that if the British mer- on both sides of the question, and though, chants of this Colony allow them personally, I think we should combine to do so it serves them right, and ourselves against German opposition of when I
say that I
mean that if any kind. yet at the same time I should we are not alive to the possibilike to hear further views expressed, as lities of competition, and knowing well I am not a long resident here. That is all we can meet them and overcome them, I have to say in sreonding the resolution. and do not try to, then We Mr. E. V. D. PARR- Without trespass- shall deserve all the competition we may possibly have to meet. If we ing upon the valuable time of the meet- do not work hand in hand with theng I would like to record my cordial Chinese Government in connection with support of the remarks of our worthy railway development between Swatow Chairman as regards this resolution, and and Canton, and we allow other people to add that it might be considered a to do it, then we deserve the competition, matter of common and ordinary precau- tion. Gentlemen, we deaire these senti- In conclusion, and in putting this re solution to you, I would say that the ments to be sent home to the Home Government. The Prime Minister, very question of a time limit of ten years, so far as your Committee is concerned, wisely, since the beginning of the war, is merely an academic term for the sake has acted in consultation with the best of argument. When the resolution was try (applause) and we are encouraged technical and business brains of the coun- proposed it was not proposed with the to think that his Government will wel- idea of carrying into effect any definite action within this Colony. It was not
come the expression of opinion of busi- understood that it should be so; it was
nessmen of Hongkong, men, gentlemen, merely desired that an expression from the who by their position show themselves as worthy successors to their great pre- Colony should go to the Home Govern- ment for their consideration in connection have a right to ask that our views should decessors (Loud applause.) I think we with Imperial Legislation, and it was equally realised that whatever the Im- be transmitted Home. (Applause.) perial Authorities at Home might decide, this Colony would have to fall in with them, and would do so gladly. (Applause.) But we did contend, and we do contend, that we have a perfect right to express independently our views to the Imperial Authorities at Home on that very point. (Applause.) Further. I am prepared to say in regard to the period of ten years that if the meeting wish it we are prepar. ed to modify the resolution in that re- spect so that it meets with general accept
We are most anxious that the views should go forward from this meet- ing with positively and absolutely united action, if we can possibly aec eye to eye together in that connection. Gentlemen, I leave the resolution in your hands (Applause.)
Lace.
The Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER then said: - Gentlemen, while I y 1 to none ir my detestation and horror of the Ger- mans and the unspeakable atrocities committed by that nation since the com- mencemen of the War. at the same time I cannot find myself in accord with the suggestion "that it is in the best inter- ests of the Colony of Hongkong that persons of German nationality should be excluded therefrom for a period of at least 10 years following the declara- tion of peace, and that subsequently they be admitted into the Colony under strict licence," save and except under condi- tions which are, I am convinced, beyond the bound of practical politice, namely, that the same stand be adopted and main- tained by all the Allies in the Far East-