102
of the Chinese Government had pessed on specifications
without attention to the question of quality, MR. ORDE
observed that they were unable to interfere and that the
real trouble was in China itself where there was no efficient
central control of railway policy. MR. BROWETT suggested
that the whole matter should be brought to the attention of
the well organised Locomotive Manufacturers' Association. He
agreed that it would be advisable, as Sir Edward Crowe
suggested, to weit until Lord Riverdale had given his comments
on the report from the Commercial Counsellor regarding the
alleged defects in the locomotives. MR. BROWITT and SIR
EDVARD CROWE undertook to examine the complaints and look
into the possibility of tightening up the present arrangements.
Suport of British SIR FREDERICK LEITH-ROSS said that he had been
Traders by
Diplomatic and surprised at the amount of complaint to the effect that the Consuler Services in Diplomatic end Consuler Cervices in Chine, particularly the China.
latter, failed to give traders support. It was difficult
to judge whether the compleints were justified but, if whet
he had been told wes true, the situation was unsatisfactory.
Many consular officers seemed to suffer from a feeling of
discouragement and lacked interest in their work. He
received the impression that very few spoke Chinese really
well, and he considered whether knowledge of Chinese was
essential. He had been surprised to find that the officers
did not know the leading Chinese bankers and business men
in their districts. He suggested the appointment of an
Inspector of Consulates and more frequent conferences with
the Head of the Mission.
SIR EDWARD CROWE said that steps had been taken recently
to improve conditions in the Service. Hitherto, only those
candidetes who took low places in the exemination had been
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