CO129-116 - Sir MacDonnell - 1866 [11-12] — Page 222

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actually holds at this moment more than $100,000 of subsidiary coins.

The Commission has therefore prudently abstained from estimating the profit derivable from this source, till the limit of the market for that branch of the manufacture is ascertained.

Finally, whilst the report of the Commission gives no hope whatever of the Concern paying its way either through Public support or as a Government speculation, it gives scarcely more encouragement, when it suggests negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Authorities of China, and Japan with the view to changing the ancient usage of those Countries, and inducing them to accept the British dollar from amongst the present Foreign Coins, with the ultimate destiny of all, viz. a common extinction of individual character in the Imperial Melting pot. Such, however, afford a good practical commentary on the Comparisons instituted between the Hongkong Mint and the Indian Mints. All that can be attained by the proposed negotiations for the Hongkong Mint, and which it seems essential to its success - is that it is at once secured for...