1887-1903
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
7
but in case of a war, or of any complications taking place between the British and Chinese Governments, it is impossible to say what difficulties may not arise.
Miscellaneous.
21. No particular event happened during 1889 to call for special notice.
22. It became generally known towards the close of 1889 that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught would visit Hong Kong on their way home from India, on the termination of His Royal Highness' period of service as Commander-in-Chief in Bombay.
Their Royal Highnesses accordingly arrived in Hong Kong on the 31st of March last, when they were received with a most loyal welcome by all classes of the community. After seeing as much of the Island as the limited time at their disposal would permit of, and after having paid a visit to the neighbouring city of Canton, their Royal Highnesses sailed for Japan en route for Canada on the 4th of April.
23. The present condition of this Colony, its increased population, and its rapid strides in advancement generally since it became a British possession less than half a century ago, were vividly described by Sir G. William Des Vœux in the Despatch I have quoted.
I venture to think, however, that the future prosperity of Hong Kong must, in a great measure, depend upon the future of that great Empire to which it belongs geographically although not politically.
The more trade with China is opened up, which can only be done by an increase in the means of her internal communication and by a reduction of her inland taxation, the more advantageous will it be in the interests of this Colony.
The Chinese are naturally averse to innovations and tardy in carrying out changes of any description, but there are some among them as shrewd and as intelligent as can be found in any other nation, and when these perceive what the extension of the railway system and the introduction of modern improvements have done for the neighbouring Empire of Japan, where during the last few years the foreign trade is said to have doubled, they will scarcely be able to close their eyes to the expediency of doing what cannot fail to benefit a country which possesses the largest population of any country in the world.
To encourage China in the adoption of modern ideas, to assist her, in so far as possible, in opening up her vast territory, and to facilitate intercourse between her and other nations, should surely be the duty of a Colony, whose interests are interwoven with her
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