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(iii) That no subject of a country with which we are at present at war be
allowed to own immovable property in the Colony.
(iv) That a trading tax based on a percentage of the annual turnover be imposed on any individual, firm, or company of a country with which we are at present at war.
4. The Chamber of Commerce of Singapore further record that, in their opinion, vessels of a country which has been our enemy in the present War should be permitted to trade between British ports, and that no special tax should be levied on any such vessels when entering or leaving Singapore.
They are also in favour of imposing at the end of the War as large an indemnity as can be imposed, and the "ton for ton" policy meets their views.
5. The Chamber of Commerce of Penang concur with the restrictions suggested by the Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, in paragraphs 3 (ii) and 3 (iv), and they further consider that no individual or firm of a country with which we are at present at war shall be permitted to be the representative agents of British manufactures or British commercial undertakings.
6. I agree wholly with the recommendations put forward by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and recorded in paragraph 3 (i) of this despatch if it is possible for this to be done.
If a tax were levied on a vessel flying the flag of a present enemy it might tend to drive trade to a neighbouring country, but if the tax is levied at the Suez Canal, Singapore is not handicapped in the manner suggested above.
I also concur with the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 3 (iii) and (iv), and with the recommendation made by the Penang Chamber of Commerce as stated in paragraph 5 above. As regards paragraph 3 (ii), the recommendation referred to therein may, in my opinion, discourage aliens from bringing their proviso to capital into the country, but at any rate there should, I consider, be a that recommendation that no alien of a nationality at present hostile to the Empire shall be allowed to establish himself in any trading, shipping, or banking concern for a period of years.
7. I had hoped to be able to forward at the same time the views of the Chamber of Commerce of the Federated Malay States, but I have not to the present received the expression of their views; I will not, however, delay further sending you the views of the Chambers of Commerce of Singapore and Penang.
I have, &c.,
ARTHUR YOUNG.
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No. 3.-Proposed by Mr. A. Hood Begg and seconded by Mr. Adam.
"That a local ordinance should be passed to the effect that no foreign trading, shipping, or banking concern, individual, or firm be allowed to establish themselves in the Colony except under special licence from the Governor in Council, but such ordinance should only apply to such countries as are notified from time to time in the Government Gazette, the Governor in Council having at all times power to add to or withdraw names from the list. Such licensed individuals or companies shall be under the direct control of the Registrar of Companies."
"
No. 4. Proposed by Mr. A. Hood Begg and seconded by Mr. J. C. Peter.
"That no enemy shall be allowed to own landed property in the Colony except under permit."
No. 5.-Proposed by Mr. J. C. Peter and seconded by Mr. A. Agnew.
"That in the case of enemies a trading tax be imposed, the amount to be paid to be based on a percentage of the annual turnover.' No. 6. Proposed by Mr. A. Agnew and seconded by Mr. A. Hood Begg.
"That this Chamber is also of opinion that if the Government view favourably any of the above proposals, and they are eventually made use of, particular care should be taken to provide against enemy capital or interests being used under neutral designation, thus enabling our enemies to evade whatever restrictions are intended."
C
B.-Resolutions lost.
No. 1. Proposed by Mr. P. L. Williams and seconded by Mr. Denniston.
That enemy vessels shall not be allowed to trade between British ports."
No. 2-Proposed by Mr. Tomlin and seconded by Mr. Adam.
That a tax be levied on all enemy ships entering or leaving Singapore whose terminal ports are situated east of Suez."
We are requested to point out that, although the Committee are in favour of imposing a crushing indemnity upon Britain's enemies, if her victory is such as will enable her to impose an indemnity, they feel that this is a purely military question and one which does not enter the province of the Chamber.
They are also in favour of the "ton for ton" policy, but feel that this is an Imperial matter and one not affecting local trade conditions only.
We have, &c.,
GATTEY AND Bateman,
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Secretaries.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
CO.885/25
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
Enclosure 1 in No. 23.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Singapore, Straits Settlements.
SIR,
Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Exchange,
SIR,
Singapore, 2nd January, 1917. Trade after the War.
WE have, the honour to refer to your letter No. 7735/1916, dated 7th November, 1916, and to inform you that the Committee of this Chamber have instructed us to forward herewith a memorandum embodying proposals both carried and lost at their meetings held on the 18th and 27th ultimo.
A.--Resolutions carried.
No. 1.-Proposed by Mr. Addie and seconded by Mr. Adam.
"That this Chamber is of opinion that some restrictions should be made to protect British and Allied trade after the War as against trade with those countries with whom Great Britain is at present at war.' No. 2.-Proposed by Mr. Agnew and seconded by Mr. Addie.
13
"That this Chamber would view with approval the introduction of extra dues at the Suez Canal on vessels flying the flag of any of our present enemies (these dues should be imposed on the cargo carried on the vessels concerned).
Enclosure 2 in No. 23.
Chamber of Commerce, Downing Street,
Penang, 18th December, 1916
Suggested Commercial and Industrial Policy to be followed after the War.
In reply to your letter 7735/1916, of 7th ultimo, we are directed to inform you that our Committee carefully considered the question regarding the commercial and industrial policy to be followed after the War. They first inquired into the reason why German trade throughout the East had attained such proportions, and came to the following conclusions:-
(a) The enterprise of the Continental merchant, both at home and in the East, is more pronounced than that of the British merchant in so far as pushing his trade by means of commercial travellers, furnished with complete lines of attractive samples, etc.
(b) In addition to this, sampling is well maintained by continuous supplies
being sent out to Eastern houses.
(c) Further, the Continental manufacturer has generally laid himself and his factories out to provide the type of article required by the native consumer, whereas the British merchant has been more conservative in this regard.
(d) Again, it is assumed that it is owing to the assistance of their com- mercial banks that the German traders in particular are able to give extraordinarily extended credits in the native bazaars, which is against the custom of British traders.
R