CO882-(4-5) — Page 312

COLONIAL CURRENCY COMMITTEE.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE

TAKEN BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE

SECRETARY OF

REQUESTED BY THE

STATE FOR THE COLONIES

TO INQUIRE INTO QUESTIONS CONNECTED WITH THE

CURRENCY OF THE EASTERN COLONIES.

At the Colonial Office, Downing Street, S.W.

FIRST DAY.

Wednesday, 5th July 1898.

PRESENT:

HE RIGHT HON, LORD HERSCHELL, the LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR, G.C.B., ChairMAN.

LORD FAIREI.

The Right Hon. LEONARD HENRY COURTNEY,

M.P.

Sir REGINALD EARLE WELBY, G.C.B.

Mr. BERTRAM WODEHOUSE CORRIE. The Hon. Robert Henry Meade, C.B. Mr. Edward Fairyield, C.M.G.

Sir HENRY Waterfield, K.C.&.I., C.B.,

also attended.

Mr. GEORGE W. JOHNSON,

Secretary.

Mr. WILLIAM Edward MaxwELL,

1. (Chairman.) Mr. Maxwell, you have been for some time in the employment of the Government in the Straits Settlements ?—Yes, for 28 years.

2. Have you given some attention to the question of the currency in the Straits Settlements and the question of exchange ? — Yes, I have, especially latterly.

3. The currency there consists of dollara ?—Maxion dollars and the Japanese you.

4. Does the Japanese yen form a large proportion of the currency?—Yes, I think so. It varies a good deal. Sometimes one sees nothing but yena, and at another time nothing but Mexican dollars; it in a matter of arrangement with the banka, I think,

H 77881.

C.M.G., called in and examined.

5. What is the value of the yen sa compared with the Mexican dollar?—I do not exactly know. The value in the place locally is identical.

6. (Mr. Currie.) Yen, 416 gross weight; Mexican dollar, 416 gross weight ?—Yes; it is the same.

7. The yen is, in fact, really a legal Mexican dollar ?—Yes.

8. (Chairman.) Are the mercantile transactions of the Straits Settlements chiedy with China and Japan? Java are the principal customers of the Straits Settle- -China, Siam, and Java, I should say Siam and

ments merchants.

9. They export to Siam and Java ?—They export to Siam and Java.

A

Mr. W. E. Maxwell, C.M.G.

5 July 1993.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO!