394
Jasinor
HONG KONG,
No.
Copy of a DESPATCH from Sir JOHN BOWRING, Knight, to the
Right Honourable H LABOUCHERE, M.P.
HONG KONG,
D
No.
(No. 82.)
SIR,
Government Offices, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 24, 1856.
(Received August 6, 1856.)
193
I HAVE NOW the honour of forwarding to you the Blue Book for the Year 1855, and have no doubt you will share my satisfaction in reviewing the position and the prospects of the colony.
2. I need not refer to the various topics which the Colonial Secretary has made the subject of his interesting and comprehensive letter, except where some observation seems specially required.
3. The increase of trade in all its branches, though not recorded in custom house statistics, is a matter of notoriety, and evidenced by every indication of prosperity.
4. There is an improvement in the character of the Chinese population. Many of the natives, growing in wealth, have grown in respectability. There is more disposition than there has ever been among a better class of Chinese traders to settle on the island, while many great commercial houses in China, both British and American, have lately made Hong Kong their central point of establishment. The development of steam navigation, the rapid extension of trading relations with Australia and California, the increase of trade on the coasts of China, the opening of Siam, and the security which the flag of Great Britain offers against piratical attacks, are among the causes which have led to the happy results we are daily witnessing.
5. My exertions will be zealously directed to the securing for the colony an income from sources which shall in no respect interfere with its progressive prosperity, and which shall be adequate, without assistance from the Imperial Treasury, for accomplishing the various objects of public improvements which are likely to be most substantially and permanently useful. These will of course be the subjects of special reports.
6. The topic of the public health occupies the constant attention of the Government. Exaggerated statements as to the mortality in the colony having been industriously circulated, and false reports prevailing as to the prevalence of fatal epidemics, I caused an investigation to take place, the result of which shows, that for the months of February, March and April the average mortality did not exceed 1 in 7000 per day.
7. I think it is desirable that there should be in the colony a re-distribution of duty, and a revision of salaries, and that the recommendations of the Colonial Secretary are entitled to much consideration; but the inquiries and investigations must naturally take a more distinct and special shape. It would, however, be useful to know that Her Majesty's Government looks favourably on proposals for a readjustment of functions and their appropriate recompense.
8. I see no adequate cause for anticipating any such defalcation of the revenue as will be incompatible with the proper payment of officials and the progress and management of useful public works.
9. I would not venture, even supposing there were a chance of the proposal being entertained by Her Majesty's Government, to support the recommendation from the Colonial Secretary of a differential duty in favour of teas shipped for England from Hong Kong. In my view the whole system of differential duties is obnoxious in principle, fraudulent in practice, and disappointing in result. Nor can I suppose that Parliament would ever sanction so retrogressive and unsound a measure, especially in the case of a self-supporting colony, not producing in itself a single chest of the article in question.
(Signed)
The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P.,
I have, &c.
JOHN BOWRING.
No. 1.
No. 2.
&c.
&c.
&c.
394
Jasinor
HONG KONG,
No.
Copy of a DESPATCH from Sir JOHN BOWRING, Knight, E. to the
Right Honourable H LABOUCHERE, M.P.
HÙNG KONG,
D
No.
(No. 82.)
SIB,
Government Offices, Victoria, Hong Kong, May 24, 1856.
(Received August 6, 1856.)
193
I HAVE NOW the honour of forwarding to you the Blue Book for the Year 1855, and have no doubt you will share my satisfaction in reviewing the position and the prospects of the colony.
2. I need not refer to the various topics which the Colonial Secretary has made the subject of his interesting and comprehensive letter, except where some observation scems specially required.
3. The increase of trade in all its branches, though not recorded in custom house statistics, is a matter of notoriety, and evidenced by every indication of prosperity.
4. There is an improvement in the character of the Chinese population. Many of the natives, growing in wealth, have grown in respectability. There is more disposition than there has ever been among a better class of Chinese traders to settle on the island, while many great commercial houses in China, both British and American, have lately made Hong Kong their central point of establishment. The development of steam navigation, the rapid extension of trading relations with Australia and California, the increase of trade on the coasts of China, the opening of Siam, and the security which the flag of Great Britain offers against piratical attacks, are among the causes which have led to the happy results we are daily witnessing.
5. My exertions will be zealously directed to the securing for the colony an income from sources which shall in no respect interfere with its progressive prosperity, and which shall be adequate, without assistance from the Imperial Treasury, for accomplishing the various objects of public improvements which are likely to be most substantially and permanently useful. These will of course be the subjects of special reports.
6. The topic of the public health occupies the constant attention of the Government. Exaggerated statements as to the mortality in the colony having been industriously circulated, and false reports prevailing as to the prevalence of fatal epidemics, I caused an investigation to take place, the result of which shows, that for the months of February, March and April the average mortality did not exceed 1 in 7000 per day.
7. I think it is desirable that there should be in the colony a re-distribution of duty, and a revision of salaries, and that the recommendations of the Colonial Secretary are entitled to much consideration ; but the inquiries and investigations must naturally take a more distinct and special shape. It would, however, be useful to know that Her Majesty's Government looks favourably on proposals for a readjustment of functions and their appropriate recompence.
8. I see no adequate cause for anticipating any such defalcation of the revenue as will be incompatible with the proper payment of officials and the progress and management of useful public works.
9. I would not venture, even supposing there were a chance of the proposal being entertained by Her Majesty's Government, to support the recommendation from the Colonial Secretary of a differential duty in favour of teas shipped for England from Hong Kong. In my view the whole system of differential duties is obnoxious in principle, fraudulent in practice, and disappointing in result. Nor can I suppose that Parliament would ever sanction so retrogressive and unsound a measure, especially in the case of a self-supporting colony, not producing in itself a single chest of the article in question.
(Signed)
The Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P.,
I have, &c.
JOHN BOWRING.
No. I.
No. 2.
&c.
&c.
&c.
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