(Three)
solemn
care
and given the people a warning that in the event of there being further piracies the action would be repeated. Great was taken that no personal injury was caused to any of the inhabit- ants. It is sincerely to be hoped that this will have the desired effect of stopping these depredations on shipping which have been causing a well nigh intolerable situation.
After the piracy of the s.s. Sun- ning in November, the Govern- ment appointed a Committee to enquire into the whole question of piracy and the existing piracy re- gulations. The report of that Com- mittee was published within the past week but we have not yet had
time to consider it.
I cannot leave this subject with- out referring again to the S.. Sunning piracy. A brief account is given in the report of the officers' gallant attack on the pirates after they had obtained control and which resulted in the recapture of the ship. This attack was made against unknown odds and carried out with splendid re- source and daring. (Applause.) The conduct of the officers and engineers was in accordance with the highest traditions of the service and I wish to place on record the Chamber's appreciation of their magnificent achievement. (Applause.) Their action on this occasion serves to illustrate what the officers and engineers are pre- pared to do and would do in defence of their ship when attacked by pirates if they were not over- whelmed and disarmed before they were aware of what was taking place. (Applause.)
Chinese Language School. With regard to the Chamber's Chinese Language School, seven- teen students have been in attend- ance in the Beginners' Class in the course of the last twelve months. These numbers have been reduced by the passing of students into the advanced class, also by transfers to other ports, so that the Begin- ners' Class at the present time con- tains six students. In the Ad- vanced Class the numbers have been as high as 15, but recently several certificates of proficiency were awarded and the number of students now in attendance is four. As soon as these students have ob- tained certificates a new Beginners' Class will be formed.
As I think members generally are aware, the Charaber has been able thanks to the invaluable help of Dr. Pearce (as Director of Studies until last year) and of the Hon. Mr. Kotewall (as Indepen- dent Examiner)-to maintain the Language School since the year 1916. A considerable number of
i
members of commercial staffs have acquired, since then, a sufficient knowledge of colloquial Cantonese to enable them to transact ordinary mercantile business in the lang- uage. The classes are held at times which have proved convenient to the students, either in the tiffin hour or after five p.m. on three days a week. In addition, each student has an hour's individual conversational practice with a private teacher provided by the School.
The trend of events in China to recently has brought home everybody the necessity for estab- closer contact between lishing Chinese and non-Chinese, and, as a practical means of ob- taining this, I would earnestly commend the work of the Language School to the support of firms and individuals throughout the Colony. (Applause.) We are ready prac- tically at any time to start another Beginners' Class and will be happy to do so forthwith on receipt of even a small number of entrants.
Motors And Harbour Transport.
With the growth of motor vehicles in Hong Kong there has arisen an increasing demand for an adequate service for transport- ing them across the Harbour. Apart altogether from private cars, the establishment of such a service will lead to the delivery of goods from godowns in Hong Kong or Kowloon direct to destina tion, thus saving time and money. The Government have given the matter considerable attention dur- ing the past year and intend to publish a sessional paper at an early date giving details of the proposed scheme, and this is now
awaited.
Confidence In The Future.
The effect of the boycott on the trade of Hong Kong in 1926 is indicated by the number and ton- nage of vessels entered and clear- ed in that year compared with 1924, the last complete year before the boycott was instituted. In 1924 there were 57,765 vessels represent- ing 38,770,499 tons and in 1926 only 30,231 with a tonnage of 28,371,104.
We have indeed been passing through a very difficult and trying time for nearly two years but we have been able successfully to sur- vive the attempt to damage and destroy the trade of Hong Kong which has been built up over a long term of years. (Applause.) Losses have been heavy, certainly, but I am optimistic enough to believe that already we have weathered the storm and are on the way to better times. The prosperity of Hong Kong has rested in great measure
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