CO129-273 - Governor Sir Robinson & Others - 1896 [10-12] — Page 10

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Goo23034/46

Hong Kong.

(4)

ther here or in the north, it seems to me, has three interests to serve. He has to serve himself, he has to serve those by whom he is employed, and—a far larger and wider interest—he has to serve those people who, directly or indirectly, are connected with his employers at home, of whom there is hardly any limit. I say emphatically there is not a man, woman, or child in the United Kingdom who is not interested in the China trade—in the China export and in the China import trade. Therefore he may have a feeling that he is patriotically as well as profitably engaged in the pursuit of his duties in China. It is only now that the Chinese Empire has sent forth her most influential statesman upon a tour to the Courts and the capitals of Europe and the United States for the purpose of evincing her desire to increase the intimacy of her communication and the magnitude of her transactions with other countries; and the way in which he has been received has proved that these feelings are abundantly reciprocated by Europe and by the United States. In the midst of this genial feeling and joy comes a dark cloud and a discordant note from the very quarter from which we might least have expected it. If there is any company in the Far East which is interested directly in the increase of the volume of business of China it is indeed the United Telegraph Companies, and it seems to me that their action in this respect is wholly undefended and is absolutely indefensible. (Applause.) And therefore I can only hope that our motives will be thoroughly understood, that we are not only acting selfishly, that we are not only acting for those whom we represent, but that we are acting for other countries at home, for our fellow-countrymen, for the world at large, when we endeavour to discourage and oppose the combination which I cannot help characterising as contrary to the best interests of mankind. (Applause.)

The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

The CHAIRMAN—That closes the business as regards the telegraphic rates.

Several members thereupon left the room.

THE RE-NOMINATION OF MR. WHITEHEAD

TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

The CHAIRMAN—A pleasant duty has, gentlemen, fallen to my lot this afternoon. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead, who has for six years represented the Chamber on the Legislative Council, has done so with great vigour and ability, never losing sight of its interests, and ready at all times to use his utmost energies in its behalf. It is therefore with much satisfaction that I now beg to propose that Mr. Thomas Henderson Whitehead be again nominated by this Chamber for appointment to the seat in the Legislative Council he has so worthily filled for the past six years.

Mr. DODWELL—I feel it an honour to be allowed to second the nomination of Mr. Whitehead to represent this Chamber in the Legislative Council of this colony. At the time of the last election for the post, one of the members of this Chamber said that Mr. Whitehead's profession did not give that wide experience and education in men and affairs which were needed, and that the inelastic and narrow horizon which the boards of the ledgers furnished were not calculated to give a banker that knowledge of affairs which the representative of the Chamber and of the mercantile interests should have. (A laugh) But, gentlemen, I think you will agree with me that the work done by Mr. Whitehead in the past six years has amply dissipated any such fears, fears which were not entertained by the majority which then elected him, and I think we owe Mr. Whitehead our heartiest thanks for the courageous as well as the able manner in which he has carried out his duties as our representative. (Applause.) Under our present circumstances, the post is a very thankless and unenviable one; our representative must devote a great deal of his time and much energy and thought to the fulfilment of his duties, and he must be prepared to accept more kicks and cuffs than thanks, and in addition must submit to much hostile criticism even from his own supporters. But this has ever been the lot of progressives, and I am glad to feel that in Mr. Whitehead we have a representative who, in spite of all these drawbacks, will devote his time and energy and experience to the duties of the post, and who will, without fear or favour, at all times do his utmost to protect the interests which he represents. (Applause.) I again beg to second the nomination of Mr. Whitehead. (Loud applause.)

The CHAIRMAN then took a show of hands and declared the resolution to be carried unanimously.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I desire to express my sincere thanks both to Mr. McConachie and Mr. Dodwell for the very kind words which they have used under the circumstances. I am well aware and conscious that in the past six years I have made many mistakes and that my shortcomings have been great and numerous, but with the experience I have gained I shall endeavour to the best of my ability to do everything that is possible to promote the trade and commerce of this important port in the interests of the colony. I feel very greatly and very much appreciate this renewed mark of confidence that you have expressed in me, and I heartily thank you for the honour which you have done to the banking institution which I have the privilege to represent in the colony. (Loud applause.)

The CHAIRMAN—That is all the business, gentlemen, I have to thank you for your attendance.

DRAFT.

Hong Kong No 250

Sir W. Robertson

Mr.

MINUTE.

Macnaghten 13/11

Mr. Lucas 13

Mr. Fairfield.

Mr. Wingfield.

Mr. Bramston.

Sir R. Meade.

Earl of Selborne.

Mr. Chamberlain.

Sir,

18 November 146

I have the honour

to acknowledge the receipt

of your Despatch, No 232,

of the 8th ultimo, enclosing

report of the proceedings

at a

special general

meeting

of the Hong

Kong

Chamber of Commerce to

protest

against the

action

of the joint Telegraph

Companies in raising their rates to Europe, America

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Goo23034/46 Hong Kong. 8 (4) ther here or in the north, it seems to me, has three interests to serve. He has to serve himself, he has to serve those by whom he is employed, and—a far larger and wider interest—he has to serve those people who, directly or indirectly, are connected with his employers at home, of whom there is hardly any limit. I say emphatically there is not a man, woman, or child in the United Kingdom who is not interested in the China trade—in the China export and in the China import trade. Therefore he may have a feeling that he is patriotically as well as profitably engaged in the pursuit of his duties in China. It is only now that the Chinese Empire has sent forth her most influential statesman upon a tour to the Courts and the capitals of Europe and the United States for the purpose of evincing her desire to increase the intimacy of her communication and the magnitude of her transactions with other countries; and the way in which he has been received has proved that these feelings are abundantly reciprocated by Europe and by the United States. In the midst of this genial feeling and joy comes a dark cloud and a discordant note from the very quarter from which we might least have expected it. If there is any company in the Far East which is interested directly in the increase of the volume of business of China it is indeed the United Telegraph Companies, and it seems to me that their action in this respect is wholly undefended and is absolutely indefensible. (Applause.) And therefore I can only hope that our motives will be thoroughly understood, that we are not only acting selfishly, that we are not only acting for those whom we represent, but that we are acting for other countries at home, for our fellow-countrymen, for the world at large, when we endeavour to discourage and oppose the combination which I cannot help characterising as contrary to the best interests of mankind. (Applause.) The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN—That closes the business as regards the telegraphic rates. Several members thereupon left the room. THE RE-NOMINATION OF MR. WHITEHEAD TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The CHAIRMAN—A pleasant duty has, gentlemen, fallen to my lot this afternoon. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead, who has for six years represented the Chamber on the Legislative Council, has done so with great vigour and ability, never losing sight of its interests, and ready at all times to use his utmost energies in its behalf. It is therefore with much satisfaction that I now beg to propose that Mr. Thomas Henderson Whitehead be again nominated by this Chamber for appointment to the seat in the Legislative Council he has so worthily filled for the past six years. Mr. DODWELL—I feel it an honour to be allowed to second the nomination of Mr. Whitehead to represent this Chamber in the Legislative Council of this colony. At the time of the last election for the post, one of the members of this Chamber said that Mr. Whitehead's profession did not give that wide experience and education in men and affairs which were needed, and that the inelastic and narrow horizon which the boards of the ledgers furnished were not calculated to give a banker that knowledge of affairs which the representative of the Chamber and of the mercantile interests should have. (A laugh) But, gentlemen, I think you will agree with me that the work done by Mr. Whitehead in the past six years has amply dissipated any such fears, fears which were not entertained by the majority which then elected him, and I think we owe Mr. Whitehead our heartiest thanks for the courageous as well as the able manner in which he has carried out his duties as our representative. (Applause.) Under our present circumstances, the post is a very thankless and unenviable one; our representative must devote a great deal of his time and much energy and thought to the fulfilment of his duties, and he must be prepared to accept more kicks and cuffs than thanks, and in addition must submit to much hostile criticism even from his own supporters. But this has ever been the lot of progressives, and I am glad to feel that in Mr. Whitehead we have a representative who, in spite of all these drawbacks, will devote his time and energy and experience to the duties of the post, and who will, without fear or favour, at all times do his utmost to protect the interests which he represents. (Applause.) I again beg to second the nomination of Mr. Whitehead. (Loud applause.) The CHAIRMAN then took a show of hands and declared the resolution to be carried unanimously. Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD—Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I desire to express my sincere thanks both to Mr. McConachie and Mr. Dodwell for the very kind words which they have used under the circumstances. I am well aware and conscious that in the past six years I have made many mistakes and that my shortcomings have been great and numerous, but with the experience I have gained I shall endeavour to the best of my ability to do everything that is possible to promote the trade and commerce of this important port in the interests of the colony. I feel very greatly and very much appreciate this renewed mark of confidence that you have expressed in me, and I heartily thank you for the honour which you have done to the banking institution which I have the privilege to represent in the colony. (Loud applause.) The CHAIRMAN—That is all the business, gentlemen, I have to thank you for your attendance. DRAFT. Hong Kong No 250 Sir W. Robertson IX Mr. MINUTE. Macnaghten 13/11 Mr. Lucas 13 Mr. Fairfield. Mr. Wingfield. Mr. Bramston. Sir R. Meade. Earl of Selborne. Mr. Chamberlain. fs Sir, 18 November 146 I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No 232, of the 8th ultimo, enclosing report of the proceedings at a special general meeting of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce to protest against the action of the joint Telegraph Companies in raising their rates to Europe, America

Baseline (Original)

Goo 23034/46 Hong Kong. 8 (4) ther here or in the north, it seems to me, has three interests to serve. He has to serve himself, be has to serve those by whom he is employed, and-a far larger and wider interest he has to serve those people wito, directly or indirectly, are connected with his employers at home, of whom there is hardly any limit. I say emphatically there is not a man, woman, or child in the United Kingdom who is not interested in the China trade-in the China export and in the China import trade. Therefore he may have a feeling that he is patriotically as well as profitably eu- gaged in the pursuit of his duties in China. It is only now that the Chinese Empire has sent forth her most influential statestman upon a tour to the Courts and the capitals of Europe and the United States for the purpose of evincing her desire to increase the intimacy of her communication and the magnitude of her transactions with other countries; and the way in which he has been received has proved that these feelings are abundantly reciprocated by Europe and by the United States. In the midst of this gentula tion and joy comes a dark cloud "and a discordant note from the very quarter from which we might least have expected it. If there is any corapany in the Far East which is interested directly in the increase of the volume of business of China it is indeed the Tuited Telegraph Companies, and it seems to me that their action in this respect is wholly nudefended and is absolutely indefeusible. (Applause.) And therefore I can only hope that our motives will be thoroughly understood, that we are not only acting selfishly, that we are not only acting for those whom we represent, but that we are acting for other countries at home, for our fellow-countrymen, for the world at large, when we endeavour to discourage and oppose the combination which I cannot help characterising as contra bonge moves and op- posed to the best interests of mankind. (Ap- planse.) The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN--That closes the business as regards the telegraphic rates. Several members thereupon left the room. THE RE-NOMINATION OF MR. WHITEHEAD TO TRE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.. The CHAIRMAN-A pleasant duty has, gentlemen, fallen to my lot this afternoon. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead, who has for six years represented the Chamber on the Legisla tive Council, has done so with great vigour and ability, never losing sight of its interests, and ready at all times to use his atmost energies in its behalf. It is therefore with much satis- faction that I now beg to propose that Mr. Thomas Henderson Whitehead be again no- minated by this Chamber for appointment to | | the seat in the Legislative Council he has so worthily filled for the past six years. Mr. DODWELL-I feel it an honour to be allowed to second the nomination of Mr. White- head to represout this Chamber in the Legisla tive Council of this colony. At the time of the last election for the post, one of the mein- bors of this Chamber said that Mr. Whitehead's profession did not give that wide experience and education in men and affairs which were needed, ant that the inelastic and narrow hori zon which the boards of the ledgers furnished were not calculated to give a banker that knowledge of alhire which the representative of the Chamber and of the mercantile interests should have. (A laugh) But, gentlemen. I think you will agree with me that the work done by Mr. Whitehead in the past six years has amply dissipated any such fears, fears which were not entertained by the majority which then elected him, and I think we owe Mr. White- head our heartiest thanks for the courageous as well as the able manner in which he has carried out his duties as our representatire. (Applause.) Under our present circumstances, the post is a very thankless and unenviable one; our repre- sentative must devote a great deal of his time and much energy and thought to the fulfilment of his duties, and he wust he prepared to accept more kicks and cuffs than thanks, and in ad- dition must submit to much bostile criticism oven from his own supporters. But this has ever been the lot of progressives, and I am glad to feel that in Mr. Whitehead we have a ro- prosentative who, in spite of all these draw- backs, will devote his time and energy and ex- perience to the duties of the post, and who will, without four or favour, at all times do bis utmost to protect the interests which he represents. (Applause.) I again beg to second the nomina- tion of Mr. Whitehead. (Loud applause.) The CHAIRMAN then took a show of hands and declared the resolution to be carried unanimously, Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Mr. Chuirman and geutiomen. I desire to express my sincere thanks both to Mr. McConachie and Mr. Dodwell for the very kind words which they have used under the circumstances. I am well aware and conscious that in the past six years I bave made many mistakes and that my short. comings have been great and mumerous, but with the experience I have gained I shall eu- deavour to the best of my ability to do every- thing that is possible to promote the trade and commerce of this important port in the interests of the colony. I feel very greatly and very much appreciate this renowed mark of con- tidence that you have expressed in me, and I heartily thank you for the honour which you have done to the banking institution which I have the privilege to represent in the colony, (Loud applause.) The CHAIRMAN-That is all the business gentlemen, I have to thank you for your at- tendance. DRAFT. Hong Kong No 250 Sir W. Robriewon IX Mr. MINUTE. Macuaghten 13/11/ Mr. Lucas 13 Mr. Fairfield. Mr. Wingfield. Mr. Bramston. Sir R. Meade. Earl of Selborne. Mr. Chamberlain. fs Sir, 18 November 146 I have the honour. to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No 232, a of the 8th ultimo, enclosing report of the proceedings at a meeting special general of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce to protest the action against the of the joint Telegraph Companies in raising their rated to Europe, America

2026-05-28 00:00:49 · Baseline

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Goo 23034/46

Hong Kong.

(4)

ther here or in the north, it seems to me, has three interests to serve. He has to serve himself, be has to serve those by whom he is employed, and-a far larger and wider interest he has to serve those people wito, directly or indirectly, are connected with his employers at home, of whom there is hardly any limit. I say emphatically there is not a man, woman, or child in the United Kingdom who is not interested in the China trade-in the China export and in the China import trade. Therefore he may have a feeling that he is patriotically as well as profitably eu- gaged in the pursuit of his duties in China. It is only now that the Chinese Empire has sent forth her most influential statestman upon a tour to the Courts and the capitals of Europe and the United States for the purpose of evincing her desire to increase the intimacy of her communication and the magnitude of her transactions with other countries; and the way in which he has been received has proved that these feelings are abundantly reciprocated by Europe and by the United States. In the midst of this gentula tion and joy comes a dark cloud "and a discordant note from the very quarter from which we might least have expected it. If there is any corapany in the Far East which is interested directly in the increase of the volume of business of China it is indeed the Tuited Telegraph Companies, and it seems to me that their action in this respect is wholly nudefended and is absolutely indefeusible. (Applause.) And therefore I can only hope that our motives will be thoroughly understood, that we are not only acting selfishly, that we are not only acting for those whom we represent, but that we are acting for other countries at home, for our fellow-countrymen, for the world at large, when we endeavour to discourage and oppose the combination which I cannot help characterising as contra bonge moves and op- posed to the best interests of mankind. (Ap- planse.)

The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously.

The CHAIRMAN--That closes the business as regards the telegraphic rates.

Several members thereupon left the room.

THE RE-NOMINATION OF MR. WHITEHEAD

TO TRE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL..

The CHAIRMAN-A pleasant duty has, gentlemen, fallen to my lot this afternoon. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead, who has for six years represented the Chamber on the Legisla tive Council, has done so with great vigour and ability, never losing sight of its interests, and ready at all times to use his atmost energies in its behalf. It is therefore with much satis- faction that I now beg to propose that Mr. Thomas Henderson Whitehead be again no- minated by this Chamber for appointment to

the seat in the Legislative Council he has so worthily filled for the past six years.

Mr. DODWELL-I feel it an honour to be allowed to second the nomination of Mr. White- head to represout this Chamber in the Legisla tive Council of this colony. At the time of the last election for the post, one of the mein- bors of this Chamber said that Mr. Whitehead's profession did not give that wide experience and education in men and affairs which were needed, ant that the inelastic and narrow hori zon which the boards of the ledgers furnished were not calculated to give a banker that knowledge of alhire which the representative of the Chamber and of the mercantile interests should have. (A laugh) But, gentlemen. I think you will agree with me that the work done by Mr. Whitehead in the past six years has amply dissipated any such fears, fears which were not entertained by the majority which then elected him, and I think we owe Mr. White- head our heartiest thanks for the courageous as well as the able manner in which he has carried out his duties as our representatire. (Applause.) Under our present circumstances, the post is a very thankless and unenviable one; our repre- sentative must devote a great deal of his time and much energy and thought to the fulfilment of his duties, and he wust he prepared to accept more kicks and cuffs than thanks, and in ad- dition must submit to much bostile criticism oven from his own supporters. But this has ever been the lot of progressives, and I am glad to feel that in Mr. Whitehead we have a ro- prosentative who, in spite of all these draw- backs, will devote his time and energy and ex- perience to the duties of the post, and who will, without four or favour, at all times do bis utmost to protect the interests which he represents. (Applause.) I again beg to second the nomina- tion of Mr. Whitehead. (Loud applause.)

The CHAIRMAN then took a show of hands and declared the resolution to be carried unanimously, Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Mr. Chuirman and geutiomen. I desire to express my sincere thanks both to Mr. McConachie and Mr. Dodwell for the very kind words which they have used under the circumstances. I am well aware and conscious that in the past six years I bave made many mistakes and that my short. comings have been great and mumerous, but with the experience I have gained I shall eu- deavour to the best of my ability to do every- thing that is possible to promote the trade and commerce of this important port in the interests of the colony. I feel very greatly and very much appreciate this renowed mark of con- tidence that you have expressed in me, and I heartily thank you for the honour which you have done to the banking institution which I have the privilege to represent in the colony, (Loud applause.)

The CHAIRMAN-That is all the business gentlemen, I have to thank you for your at- tendance.