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successful German firm in Shanghai, in spite of the fact that they were more expensive than German assistants of similar age and attainments. It may be generally stated that the Germans are more thorough and more painstaking, The Germans were the British more resourceful and with greater initiative. always encouraged by their firms to associate with Chinese and to learn their language. They were consequently more thoroughly in touch with the needs of the Chinese markets, and many successful departments have been esta- blished by the out-of-office work of young Germans. In a similar manner they devoted themselves to the study of the export trade, the uses to which Chinese produce could be put, and the markets in which it would be likely to find a sale. In insurance work their intimacy with the Chinese was also useful in securing business.
The great need of the young Briton in China is a knowledge of the Chinese language and an understanding of the people and their needs. The British Chamber of Commerce has founded a Chinese Language School" with a view to meeting this need, and the number of students who are now studying gives promise that the next few years will see a marked improvement under this head,
It is believed that the men most suitable for the Far East are those who have shown whilst in England some aptitude for the Chinese language, and who can be sent out sufficiently young to learn their business thoroughly in actual touch with the Chinese buyers.
In connection with the study of Chinese, attention should also be drawn to the fact that the German prisoners in Japan (most of whom consist of young business men drawn from Clerman offices at the China ports and captured at Tsingtao) are employing their time during captivity in studying both the Chinese and Japanese languages, and 1 learn that most rapid progress is being made. It is certain that the need for a working acquaintance with colloquial Chinese will be greater after the war than ever before. The recently-opened School of Oriental Studies in London will give our young men who intend to make a career in the Far East much greater facilities than have been available to their predecessors for making a start in that great market well equipped for their work. It is particularly gratifying to learn that not only is the language to be taught, but lectures will also be given on the manners and customs of the people, which are every whit as important to understand as the spoken tongue itself.
With regard to the education of Chinese students under British auspices the China Association writes:-
The work done by the Hong Kong University is most valuable, especially in connection with the subjects of engineering and medicine. Japanese, American, and in a lesser degree German schools and colleges are all making great efforts to influence the more able young men of the rising generation in China, and we should be doing more on the same lines. My Committee hope to see a University under British supervision eventually established at Hankow, but, although this may not be a suitable time to press its claims, they believe that it is worthy of the consideration of II.M. Government whether it may not be possible to give support to such an institution at some future time.
9. Observations on such questions as the possible improvement of transport facilities between the United Kingdom and China, the safeguarding of British trade-marks, fraudulent marking of competing goods, &c.
(a) Transport facilities. The replies on this point are very meagre. The Tientsin, Hankow, and Canton Chambers make no comment whatever. The Shanghai Chamber states :---
The bulk of the export trade from Northern China to the United Kingdom is shipped from Shanghai, produce from the coast and river ports being shipped on through bills of lading and transhipped to the following lines:-
P. & O. S.N. Co.; Ocean S.S. Co.; China Mutual; Glen Line; Shire Line; Ellerman Line; Nippon Yusen Kaisha.
Note.-Language schools are also conducted by the Tientsin, Hankow, and Cantou Chambers for instruction in the vernacular of those ports,
73
Steamers load direct at Tsingtao and Tientsin, and at Nanking (Pukow) and Hankow, during the summer months, when the Yangtse is open to naviga tion by ocean steamers.
Trade with the United Kingdom is entirely in the hands of British lines with the exception of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, but the bulk of the shipping and of foreign competition is concerned with the trade to Continental porta; this will remain so as long as the Central European countries are the principal users of China produce.
The following figures show the total exports in freight tons from Shanghai to the United Kingdom and the Continent for the last four years :-
1912
1913
1914
1915
Amount carried by Germen and Austrian Lines.
Continent.
United Kingdom.
Continent.
United Kingdom.
50,199
293,907
865
142,866
75,207
270,302
309
151,855
88,963
173,673
348
93,016
147,314
134,564
Nil
Ni
The only suggestion which can be made in regard to questions of British transport is in connection with the rebate question."
The export of China produce, which was practically monopolised by the Germans before the war, has fallen into British hands to a greater extent during the past two years. In order that full advantage may be taken of this fact it is urged that the China Homeward Freight Conference should consider sympathetically the request of shippers to make some new arrangement in regard to rebates. At present very large sums are tied up owing to the system of charging 10 per cent. on the existing high freights, and it is believed that, unless this matter is adjusted before the close of the war, British exporters of China produce will stand at a grave disadvantage as compared with their German competitors, who have no funds tied up, heavy consignments awaiting shipment, and the probability of a large quantity of interned German tonnage for the conveyance of their produce to Europe at the end of the war. The British Engineers' Association state :-
The admitted handicap under which British engineering firms suffer in connection with transport matters, and under which it is found that it is often cheaper to send goods from England to Rotterdam to be shipped to the Far East than to ship direct from a British port, is a question for which the Board of Trade should find a solution if British trade interests are to be promoted. (b) Trade Marks.-All the bodies consulted emphasize the need for effective trade marks legislation in China. The Shanghai Chamber states that they have had the question under constant consideration, and they hope that the importance of the subject will ensure for it the active attention of His Majesty's Minister as soon as the political situation provides a favourable opportunity. They strongly support a recent recommendation from the China Association that the Chinese Government should be invited to make use of expert British advice in their treatment of this intricate problem.
(c) Aniline Dyes.-The Shanghai Chamber and also the China Association raise this question. The former writes:-
The Chamber desires to draw attention to the very large dimensions of the trade controlled by Germany in aniline dyes. During the years 1912-14, the Customs Returns showed an import of these dyes into China approximating in value to the import into the United Kingdom :-
Artificial indigo Aniline dyes
• 3687
Values in Haikuan Taels.
1914.
1913.
1912.
8,740,257 3,250,305
9,633,157 5,401,820
7,342,942 2,190,610
K
633