CO129-265 - Public Offices & Others - 1894 — Page 475

467 (3)

In this connection I am to remind your Lordship

that a Mint was established many years ago in Hong Kong,

and the coins issued therefrom were well received and

would had it not been for the competition of the Mexican

Dollar, probably long ere now have become the recognized

currency all over the East outside of India.

The circumstances then prevailing have recently

so far been modified by the position of the Silver market

that there would seem to be now a favourable opportunity

of establishing what would be virtually a British currency

throughout the East. We cannot but suppose that such a

step would ten greatly in favour of British interests and

open up an enormous field to some extent under British

influence for the absorption of Silver which so far as

can be judged, muust remain the currency of these coun-

tries, in whose trade we are so deeply & vitally intereste

The Chamber may have again occasion to address

10

your Lordship on this important dubject, when communiča-

{tions