1919-11-13 — Page 8

8

THE CHINA MAIL.

BRITISH CHAMBERS OF lack of transport. The return to or strong enough to regulate Then there are those in which there H.M. Commercial Counsellor of

COMMERCE.

normal conditions must necessarit trade to advantage; the third, is no central selling agency but in Legation then rose to address the be slow. We have bech through that the whole duty of merchants is which agreements exist for the main-Conference, and in a speech which difficult times and our people are to buy in the cheapest and sell in tenance of price, limitation of terri- | reached a high standard of excellenca (Continued from Page 5.) war-worn, and greatly strained the dearest market. All three have tory.etc. Thirdly, there are combina-reviewed the history of the various But there are evidences that Eng been greatly affected by the war tions which do not concern them- Chambers, dwelt upon the changes The great remedy for all this land is emerging from the worst of which, while shasing our disbelief selves with price or territory but with which the war had wrought in com will be found in the extension her troubles. Our people are sound. in Government, billustrated in a terms of selling, samples, etc. pelling all Britons to look at com. of railway communication which proves a wonderful solvent of all and in their own slow but sclid variety of ways that what is good for Or, you can take a different method mercial questions from a national difficulties.

China has less than fashion they are readjusting them the individual is not necessarily of classification and speak of per standpoint, and emphasized the value 2,000 miles of railway-she requires great faith in the recuperative powers imposed on

selves to new conditions. I have a good for the State and has super-manent and temporary, or of vertical of the work which the British Cham- the desirability of and horizontal organizations. The bers of Commerce were doing at least 50.000, and the problem of and the common sense of the Eng obtaining goods in the cheapest term vertical applies to concerns all over Chins. He dealt with how this great desideratum, is to lah, and I believe that we can look market that of making all commer which endeavour to obtain control his be supplied will doubtless receive

relations your earnest attention as it has mine to the future with confidence and cial transactions, wherever possible, of all operations from the purchase Shanghai Chamber; paid a tribute raw material down to the to the earnestness of purpose with during all the years I have been in hope. Every step of progress which benefit one's own people in prefer-of Feking. The construction of rail is made towards reconstruction by ence to those of a competing nation sale of the finished product. The which its General and Sub-Commit

The mere conception of term horizontal applies to associs-tees worked, and referred in the ways will necessitate an immense the British "communities in any part ality. outlay, and as there unfortunately of the world is a help to those at plenty, which was the doctrinaire tons of manufacturers of competing happlest, and withal the most amus

home. I have every confidence that economist's basis for cosmopolitan products. seems little prospect of China supply ing the money herself, we can only you will do your best in the common ism as opposed to nationalism in hope that it will be forthcoming from case, and I wish you all success in trade, has been shown to be in- sufficiently combative in view of the foreign countries in spite of the your coming deliberations.", urgent calls in other parts of the

realities of international life as world and that China herself will

led up to it. illustrated by the war and all that

TRADE GROWTH DESPITE UNREST.'

WELCOME TO THE DELEGATES.

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER.

THE MORAL FOR THE MERCHANT.

•

OWL

with the

The following Resclutions were passed at the afternoon session- 1. Post-Bellum Commercial Policy

ing, terms to the relation of British officials in general with commercial "Now some of you may possibly bodies. At the conclusion of this be saying to yourselves these details address the Chairman declared the are very interesting from a manu session at an end, informing all pre At the conclusion of HM. Min

facturer's standpoint but how do they sent that the Conference would re- apply to us whose interests are maia-open in Committee at half-past-two. come to see that a unified system ofister's speech the Chairman moved railways makes for safety and that the British Chamber of Com-

ly mercantile ??

THE AFTERNOON SESSION. efficiency.

"If accordingly, this Conference merce, Shanghai, accord a hearty

"My reply is that as merchants it vate of 'welcome to the representapledges itself, as it may be expected is incumbent upon us to do our find on all sides great dis tives of the Chambers aliated with to do, to the use where practicable of utmost to increase Britain's export it, and to the representatives of the British agents for the sale and dis-trade. It is, therefore, incumbent satisfaction with the constant unrest Hongkong Chamber, and in moving tribution of British goods, it will upon us to familiarize ourselves in the country, and there can be nothis Resolution said

pledge itself to a principle which, with all the plans that are being doubt that that unrest is a great hin-

"Sir John Jordan and Gentlemen, loyally observed in all its implica laid before manufacturers at the drance to the development of trade. At the same time it is a striking fact it is a source of great pride and tions, will co-ordinate British enter-present moment and with the plans pleasure to me to have been selected prise in China in a way in which which manufacturers are themselves that the trade of the country last year for this task and I should like to has never been co-ordinated before. Projecting to increase Britain's ex- was greater than it has ever been

Are we satisfied before and that the life and trade of express the great gratification For the principle and the ideas port. trade.

national that we are co-operating to the the people was, less affected by the feel at having been elected to pre-associated with it are

side over this Conference. As the through and through, and if every fullest possible extent with the party struggle than one would have anticipated from the perusal of the first meeting of its kind in the history Briton engaged in commerce in this men who make the things which we country conducts his business in sell and that they are so co-operat operations of war detailed day by

accordance with them, the result must day in the Chinuse press.. One realizes that most of the battles are

be, on the one hand, a vivified fought on paper and that silver bul

conception of national duty and re- lers form a substantial part of the

sponsibility in all branches of our commercial life, on the other a higher degree of co-operation and organization.

ammunition.

of British trade in China it is a unique occasion and one which marks new era in British enterprise. Until the Chambers, which to-day meet together in council, came into existence four years ago, the only body which gave British business was the China Association, a society which has done, and will continue to

com

ing with us? If we are, then all is well: if we are not, then the sooner both parties meet in council the better. The manufacturers for their part are not by any means satisfied, and the Federation of British Indus tries, which is a big association of manufacturers, is about to send out a special representative to Shangbai to see what can be done to improve maters. As Chairman of this Con- ference which is mainly a ference of merchants, many of whom, however, hold sole agencies- for large manufacturing interests, I would like the Federation to know

Con.

We must remember that in the past China has not needed a Govern

'This question of cooperation ment in the modern sense. Local do excellent work, but which is not seems to me to be a most important government has been developed to an extent that has been sufficient for adapted to the varied needs of com- one, and while I cannot hope to deal the needs of the people. The spread cree. Until today the Chambers, adequately with it in the time at my though acting together when pos-disposal I would venture to discuss of communications and newspapers sible, have never al! discussed it in outline. and trade, bringing the provinces

problems in а

'Stated in its broadest terms, the into closer touch with one another, common

Ton assembly. This morning. problem is how to adapt our and the whole country into closer however, sees unfurled in China the inherent and traditional individua touch with the outside world, has essential banner of British nation-sm to circumstances favouring that we are prepared to do all in created the need for an effectivem, witnesses the inaugural cor Government, The great task before rention of a deliberative assembly, China at present is the evolving of which, it is hoped will meet annually, such a Government. I fear that the

and so sets upon British enterprise in process will be a very slow one, and the Far East the seal and character in the meanwhile we must go or steadily with our work, finding such which all expansions of England have borne since the dawn of the Colonial safeguards as we can..

"In spite of the apparent banker. ruptcy of the Chinese Government the credit of the country is funda

mentally sound. The basis of that credit rests upon the land and the people of China, and, both are sclid factors. The trouble we would fain hope is only a temporary one, and the real remedy lies in improved transportation, which will facilitate the political, financial, industrial and commercial reconstruction of the

country.

tariff.

COMMERCE AND POLITICS,

It has our power to co-operate with them

in what is to our common interest- the increase of British trade."

2.

3.

large-scale organizations. been said and I think with truth, that the leading fast in the business

The Chairman then proceeded to issue between Britain and Germany during the last quartercentury was put test questions to the Conference that Britain had been a country of a with a view to discovering whether great number of little hundred-manufacturers and merchants are thousand-pound businesses, with a working along the best possible lines, tradition of mutual competition, with and argued from them that in several indeed, competition preached as a directions there seemed room for gospel, while Germany had been greater co-operation, his conviction a country of fewer and co-operating being that the tendency in the direc. 4 five million businesses and combines. tion of combination would become

'If this characterization is correct more and more pronounced..- '

That, he said, was why as Chair- man he moved so gladly a hearty vote of welcome to the representa tives of the Chambers here present.

"Here in China it is in a economic and not in a political sense that this fact is significant. Hongkong is the only British Co- lony in the Far East and in China it would seem to go some way to Britons are not colonists and enter-wards explaining why, after about tain no colonial ambitions. Nor has the year 1881, Britain's industry and the Conference any interest in politics trade, though it continued to expand, as such. Psychologically, on the did so less markedly than that of For" he proceeded, "I feel sure! other hand, that is happening to-day her rivals. Other explanations have, that an assembly like this can and which has always happened wherever I know, been advanced-there is the will do a great deal to unite us all British citizens have enjoyed freedom whole tariff controversy to draw up in a single purpose the increase of of self-expression. From the days on. I would, however, submit that British trade.

when Britain first began to send her a good deal of Germany's, as of song abroad they have always set up America's success, was due to her assemblies of some kind or other appreciation of the fact that modern In the majority of instances such conditions demand large-scale organ- assemblies have had government forizations. their object, which on this particular

THE COMMON WELFARE.

"That H.. M. Government be re- quested to give as early and as precise an indication as pos sible of the principles it intends to adopt in the matter of trade with Germany and that this Conference register its earnest hope that British manufacturers and exporters in the United King- dom and. the Dominions will, where practicable, use British agents for the sale and-distribu- tion of their goods."

Spheres of Influence and Railway

Development

"That this Conference is of the opinion that the time has come when the policy of the "open door" should be reaffirmed as an essential commercial principle and that its reaffirmation be accompanied by an international agreement for the abolition of spheres of influence and for the development of the Chinese railway system under efficient management."

Currency and Finance

"That the Chinese Government

be strongly urged to take steps to discontinue the use of sycee. and to establish a uniferta currency of dollars and subsidiary silver and copper coinage throughout the -country to open a mist in Shang- hat for the free coinage of dollars and to place other mints under efficient control, so that uniformity of standard may be preserved." Trade Marks

"That this Conference urges H.M. Government to do all in its

Jan

code

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1919

MAN

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Men's Wear Specialists.

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An allowance of

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SOMETHING USEFUL

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COASTERS HAND CARS

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A VARIETY CONSIGNMENT JUST UNPACKED.

THE

EXILE GARAGE

33-33 DES VEUX ROAD,

power to expedite the promulga or other considerations preclude tion of Chinese on British lines;" tion by the Chinese Govern the cable companies from establish regrets that H. M. Government has ment of a Law to secure protection ing themselves at Swatow, represent not replied to important memoranda to all bona fide Trade Marks used ations should be made in the name sent to if from responsible bodies in in China against infringement of this Conference through diplomatic China: and urges upor HL M. imitation or colourable imitation channels to the Chinese authorities Government the remission of Other questions of a confidential with a view to the speedy and portion "The vagaries of internal taxa.

character were also dealt with.

the Boxer Indemnity, or tien, which have proved so fertile

permanent improvement of the ex- the adoption of other means, in The questions set a source of trouble throughout my

down for discussion are in them-

isting telegraph service of this port. order to aid British educational in entire career in China, will never be

selves the best illustration we could passed on November 6:

The following resolutions were not only in regard to the transmis.stitutions for Chinese in the Far truly remedied until transportation

have of the necessity for such a

sion of messages, but also in regard East and to meet the cost of educa becomes more efficient and until it

Conference and if at the conclusion pathizes with the desire of the clerks, etc."

1-"While this Conference sym- to the efficiency of the local staff of tion and vocational training and is possible for the Central Govern

of its proceedings we bind ourselves, Chinese to

experience in the United Kingdom ment to exercise direct control over

see extra-territoriality

5.-"That this Conference is of to selected Chinese students in the outlying districts-A-unified-occasion--is not the case. That

as I hope we shall, into an as abolished, and realizes the benefits opinion that steps should be taken adequate.numbers." systern of taxation cannot become difference, however, between to-day's organizations without some merging nually, this Conference will haveing the country open to residence effect the terms of Article 8 of the to communicate to H. B. M. Mizister Now you cannot have large-scale sociation and agree to meet an that would accre through throw, as soon as possible to carry into 2. "That this Conference resolves effective in a disrupted state. great event and similar events in of individual effort in a commen

brought into existence 2 The question of inland

past an

body and trade, it considers as essential Mackay Treaty which provided for ai Peking the satisfaction with which of course closely bound up with the the mat is it accidental one. The scheme, without some loss of in thoroughly representative of British preliminaries to the surrender of the abolition of likin in return for at it views the establishment of, and the

The Treaty Powers have brought them to pass, and which is the trouble. For generations past them with the whole weight of

interests in the Far East and able extra-territorial rights the estab-increase in the import duties, but work already accomplished by, the dividual identity. And that with us pledged themselves to a revision of brought to-day's Conference together individual initiative and effort bave

at once to defend and to advance Hishment of stable government, a considers it essential that before Commission for the improvement of the present tariff in two years time, are one and the same, and by virtue been the key to our success, and British public opinion in this country satisfactory arrangements for the of the import duties the Treaty request him not caly to give the

satisfactory

of laws, and giving their consent to an increase the River System of Chill, and to and it will be well for us to take the of that all important fact to-day we do not take kindly to any accord a hearty vote of welcome to this Conference suggests that efforts Chinese Government satisfactory support but also to endeavour to move, gentlemen, that this Chamber administration of such laws, and Powers should obtain from the Commission his constant diplomatic matter in hand at an early date and witnesses the story of Britons in to weigh the probable effects of China running into, and becoming the individual. To

system which tends to over-riċe tariff changes upon the general merged with, the main channel of extent, of course, this is only asentatives of the Hongkong Cham assist China in reforming her judicial of merchandise direct or indirect.

the representatives of the Chambers should be made, to carry into effect guarantees against the institution of arrange that a portion of the Cus- affiliated with it and to the repre-the agreement by Great Britain, to any other forms of inland taxation toms or Salt surplus revenues be ear course of our trade.

Britain's imperial history. That is matter of habit and to that extent CHINA'S INDUSTRIAL FUTURE.

one reason why this Conference is we ought not to use it as an argu-

marked, or other measures devised, ber."

6.-"That this Conference wel for ensuring the Commission steady system in pursuance of Article 12 of so important and why this Chamber

Mr. A. Brooke Smith, a member of the Treaty of 1902." ment against changing our ways. has been an ardent advocate of it To a certain extent also, however, it hai Chamber, seconded with a brief and general principle of the alloca schemes for co-operative enterprises tance to China of the River Yangtze for months past.

comes the new Anglo Chinese to financial support." the General Committee of the Shang- 2-"That the basis of allotment operative movement evidenced in 3. "That in view of the Impor is a matter of temperament, of natural aptitude, which is a very speech which contained valuable tion of freight space by the London and in social clubs such as exist in as its main inland artery of trade; different thing. You disregard tem Suggestions.

Homeward Conference steamers be Peking, Tientsin and Shanghai, and and the little actual knowledge of perament and natural aptitude at your

discussed with a view to ascertaining urges the formation of similar insti-its channels, this Conference is of whether firms in outports receive tutions in all large treaty ports." the opinion that the time has come fair treatment."

7.-"That this Conference is of when an accurate survey should be 3. That in view of the world the opinion that the Chinese Gov made of the entire River and all wide increase in rate of freight ernment should be urged to in main waterways which feed or drain and cargo values, this Conference stitute copyright laws having in the system. It is further suggested is strongly of opinion that the view the securing to British au- that the Chinese Government be atmost pressure should be brought thors, publishers and copyright petitioned to appoint at the earliest to bear on all shipping companies owners protection in China against time a Conservancy Board to deal to increase the ordinary cargo unauthorized reproductions of their with the question, but that strong valuation to something more com-literary, dramatic and artistic works." pressure be brought to bear on the mensurate with present day value." 8.That the attention of the Government at once to undertake 4.-"That. in view of the ever Chinese Government be urgently adequate measures for the aid of increasing importance of Swatow as directed to the suppression of piracy navigation on the Yangtze and its 1 trade and emigration centre, and and state of lawlessness which exists main tributary waterways.. of the eminently unsatisfactory and within the confines of the Province

..

INDIVIDUAL OR STATE?

а certain

THE CONFEREENE IN COMMITTEE.

Unless I mistake the signs of the times, China will soon embark upon a great industrial career, for which her raw materials and the genius of her people are admirably suited. I Another is the potentiality in sce no fear that this development will herent in this Assembly for nation prove any menace to the industries alizing individual effort. If, for peril, and when it has been largely The Chairman then moved that of our mother country. For many example, the first Resolution on the responsible for making London the the Conference go into Committee; years to come the industries of China Agenda is passed and I quote this money market of the world, argu- that R.M. Commercial Counsellor of will be complementary to those in the one because it strikes the keynote ments, in favour of a system at first Legation, Mr. HH. Fox; CMG United Kingdom and the more devel of this Conference the Resolution, sight opposed to, or to put it not quite preside; that meetings and discus oped countries. Our wise policy apnamely, that British manufacturers so strongly out of accord with sions be open to all members of the pears therefore to lie in the direction and exporters, in the United King national temperament, are obviously Chambers represented. In moving of encouraging and fostering the dom and the Dominions be urged, liable to be greeted with a good deal this Resolution the Chairman briefly native industries. in co-opera-where practicable, to use British of scepticism:

explained, that the Conference went tion with the Chinese. They agents for, the sale and distribution "A mere balancing of babit against into Committee net because there are turning to for help on all of their goods-it will pledge all temperi ment, however, might lead was any intention of excluding sides. I believe that a great future who are in agreement with it not us into a very nice and precise psy- any member of the Chambers re lies before our people in supplying only to disuse of pre-war laxity in chological discussion but would not, presented, but as a method of hand technical and financial assistance and forming commercial connections, but from a practical standpoint, get us ling in the best way what was a business organization, directed to to underlying principles which mark very much further. It seems best pretty long agenda: It was proposed

THE OPIUM TRAFFIC. A wards the increase of output and the a great advance on pre-war ccone briefly to review various types of that Mr. Fox should preside over the inadequate land line telegraph service of Kuagatung and more especially 4." That this Conference of British production of real wealth in China. mics regarded from a national stand large-scale organizations and to Conference in Committee, in the first on which the port is solely depen in the Canton Delta, resulting in a Chambers of Commerce assembled at That wealth will contribute to the point. In pre-war days three main see whether any of them are ap place because he held the position of dent, this Conference is of the condition of affairs which is most Shanghai is convinced of the neces wealth of the whole world and will ideas dominated Qur commercial plicable to business in this coun-Honorary Vice-President of the opinion that an efficient submarine detrimental to trade generally and sity for immediate action by the help to repair the waste of war. conceptions, one that each fadivi- try. There are different methods of Shanghai Chamber, and in the second cable service, so long enjoyed by the prosperity of the South of China." British Government with regard to British trade in China has been dual is the best judge of his own classification. There is the class of place because he had a thorough and other coast ports with a smaller The following resolutions. were the opium and drug traffic, and that under many disabilities during the interests and should, therefore, be organization in which members of a all round knowledge of the Chamber's volume of trade and fewer passed on Nov. 7. war years owing to disorganization left free to prosecute them; another, combine dispose of their produce business Tientsin, in the person of shipping facilities, should be fa 1. "That this Conference attaches at the producing centres and to that no Government is wise enough through a central selling agency. Mr. R. G. Buchan, seconded.

stituted; and that should political the utmost importance to the educa

!!

in the best interests of Great Britain's prestige and of her commerce in the (Continued on Page 20.)

MUSTARD & 00,

HERRING-HALL-MARVIN SAFE

THE STANDARD SAFE OF AMERICA.

Tel. No. 1186.