CO885-(7-8) — Page 485

CORRESPONDENCE

RELATING TO THE

Teatifies to the care and accuracy dis- played by the Crown Agents in dealing with the financial business of the Colony, but gives 'instances of inordi- nate delay in the execution of com- mercial business.

1

1223

72

Replies to criticisms regarding their 74

manner of transacting business for the Colonial Governments.

States that although on occasions there 136

is delay in complying with requisi- tions, on the whole the Colony's re- quirements are executed with com- mendable care and accuracy; submits suggestions.

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS

TRANSACTED BY THE

CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES.

7

36

Report on the Public

Works Depart-

Hong Kong.

March 29 (Rec. June 9.)

ment, Hong Kong.

Extract showing the result of an investi- gation made into the statements re- garding the Crown Agents.

136

19132

37

Crown Agente

Federated Malay States.

June 19

Transmits copy of a letter written to the Resident - General of the Federated Malay Straits respecting the complaint in No. 29.

146

(Circular.)

SIR,

38

Ditto

July 30

39

Ditto

Felerated Malay

August 25

States.

Comments upon the replies to circular❘ 152

enclosed in Colonial Office letter of May 13th.

Transmits, in reply to No. 32, copy of a letter addressed to the Resident- General, covering reports by the Con- sulting and Inspecting Engineers on the defective steel rails supplied for the Perak State Railways.

164

No. 1.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to Governors of CROWN COLONIES and HIGH COMMIS- SIONERS OF PROTECTORATES.*

Downing Street, June 1, 1901. I HAVE the honour to inform you that, from time to time, complaints have reached me from certain of the Colonies of mistakes or neglect on the part of the Crown Agents in regard to the commercial business entrusted to them.

2. I have, in every case in which sufficient details were furnished, caused these complaints to be fully investigated, and I have found that, in almost all cases, the Crown Agents were able to furnish satisfactory explanations. The number of such complaints has not been great, and I recognise that it is impossible to avoid the possibility of some mistakes in the course of a business so large and of so diversified a character as that transacted by the Crown Agents, frequently under conditions of sudden and severe pressure. But as the existence of such complaints, if not fully dealt with, may create an impression, which may become more or less widely prevalent, that this branch of the Crown Agents' business is not conducted with that business-like efficiency which is essential for the protection of the interests of Colonial Governments, I think it due to the Crown Agents themselves, and in the interest of the Colonies, that I should satisfy myself whether any real foundation for such an impression exists.

3. With this object I have to request you to inform me generally whether you are entirely satisfied with the relations between the Crown Agents and the Colony which you administer, and, if not, to furnish me with particulars of any instances in which, after due investigation on your part, you have reason to believe that the com- mercial interests of the Colony under your Government have not been adequately pro- tected by the Crown Agents. Cases occurring within the last three years will be sufficient for the purpose I have in view, but I am anxious to impress upon you that, for that purpose, general statements and assertions are useless, and that every case quoted must be supported by such full particulars and detailed references as will enable it to be thoroughly investigated.

Except Southern Rhodesia and Wei Hai Wei.

A

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

8

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

2

When the replies to this Circular despatch are in my hands, I shall possess the materials for judging whether any further action is necessary, and whether any alterations can usefully be introduced in the system under which the Crown Agents conduct the commercial branches of their business.

The Officer Administering

the Government of

I have, &c.,

J. CHAMBERLAIN.

24739

No. 2.

GIBRALTAR.

GOVERNOR SIR G. S. WHITE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(No. 84.)

(Received July 18, 1901.)