1841-1886
10
Intelligent natives have always affirmed, that the absence of this branch of Commerce must be ascribed to there being no Chinese large firms at Victoria to receive goods in charge, and sell them.
As done by a friend there is a demand: Attempts to establish such establishments have also been made but not succeeded from want of encouragement and on account of considerable individual loss.
At the present moment there remains unfortunately not one firm or function. There is a single Large Merchant in the settlement who is able to promote by his capital and influence such a desirable object.
The whole business is therefore in the hands of Shopkeepers, Compradors and pedlars, of whom there are many, though their transactions when considered as a whole are but trifling.
Since their native boats have to compete with ...
63