C. Q.
418
Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" dated 18th March, 1904.
Printed 20 APR 1904
To Hon. GERSHON STEWART
Mr. Chairman and gentlemen,-I have very much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and accounts. The report came into my hands about two days ago, and when Mr. Wilcox asked me to second the motion for its adoption I hardly thought I would have time to know very much about what the Association has been doing. However, I am glad to say that when I opened the report and began to read it, the subject-matter of which it treated was of such interest that I read it right through without once putting it down. I congratulate the committee on the useful work they have done, especially since the latter half of 1903, when they have actively tackled several very important subjects. The three which occur to me as the most interesting are the occupation of Newchwang by the Russians in violation of all pledges and treaties, the construction of the railway between here and Canton, and the opening of Waichow.
With regard to the first, I feel that protests such as ours will carry considerable weight with our Home Government, especially at a moment such as the present. It seems to me that, although our country has taken no active steps to vindicate its treaty rights openly, protests such as that which has been sent forward by this committee will strengthen them in their determination to support to the utmost of their ability what our allies are endeavouring now by all efforts in their power to secure - free and open rights in Manchuria to all traders. (Applause.)
With regard to the construction of the railway, I do not know enough about it to express an opinion about the deviation of route which the committee's letter of 12th December recommends. But I am heartily glad to see that the committee have addressed themselves to the British and Chinese Corporation upon the subject of this long hung-up concession. I am of opinion that failing every other means of making that railway, it would be a sound thing for this Colony to guarantee a moderate interest on the cost of construction. In any case, the amount the Colony would be liable for would not be very great, and if the railway prospered, the guarantee of a certain interest might never be called up; and I consider that even in the event of a small debit in the first year or two, the prospects of a fair revenue from that railway are extremely good (Applause) - because the Canton delta is, as we all know, both fertile and populous.
In regard to the opening of Waichow, that is a thing that I hope the committee will always bear in mind and, if the railway is brought into the field of practical politics, will press for. (Applause.) It seems from all accounts to be necessary as a link in the railway between Kowloon and Canton, which, if taken in the way the committee recommend, would not interfere with the great interests we have in our steamers on the waterway, and would render it impossible for anybody else to develop any port on the banks of the river against this port. (Applause.)
I was very pleased to see that the committee in their letter of 12th December quoted the weighty words which Sir Henry Blake gave on his going away on this subject, and I am very glad to see that the Officer Administering the Government (page 25 of this report) has taken the matter specially under his control; at least, he has brought all the influence he has got to bear on that point. I think we are not unduly sanguine when we think that with all these different influences brought to bear on it, this railway will be made to go ahead by some means or other. (Applause.)
Well, gentlemen, after reading these letters, I felt that the committee were fortunate in having their views put forward in such a thoughtful and lucid way as the Chairman has done. With regard to the accounts, we are in a very happy position, money is coming in and very little going out. The account is mostly on one side.
I have no doubt that as our balance increases, we will find some useful means of utilising it (Applause). With these remarks, I have very much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and accounts.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Page 420
Page 421
C. Q.
418
Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" dated 14678
18th. March, 1904.
Brd 20 APR 041
to
Hon. GERSHON STEWART Mr. Chairman and gentlemen,-I bave very much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and accounts. The report came into my hauds about two days ago, and wheu Mr, Wilcox asked me to second the motion for its adoptiou I hardly thought I would have time know very much about what the Association However, I am glad to has been doing, say that when I opened the report and began to read it, the subject-matter of which it treated was of such interest that 1 read it right through without once putting it down. I congratulate the committes on the useful work they have done, especially since the later half of 1903, when they have actively tackled several very important subjects. The three which occar to ne as the most interesting are the occupation of Newchwang by the Russians in violation of all pledges and treaties, the construction of the railway between here and Canton, and the opening of Waichow. With regard to the first, I feel that protests such as ours will carry considerable weight with our Home Government, especially at a moment such as the present. It seems to me that. although our country bas taken no active steps to vindicate its treaty rights openly, protests such as that which has been sent forward by this committee will strengthen them in their determination to support to the utmost of their ability what our alliesaro endeavouring now by all theefforts in their power to secure-free and open rights in Manchuria to all traders. (Applause.) With regard to the construction of the railway, I do not kuow enough about it to express an opinion about the deviation of route which the committee's letter of 12th December recom- mends. But I am heartily glad to Ste that the committee bare addressed themselves to the British and Chinesa Corporation upon the subject of this long hung-up concession, I am of opinion that failing every other means of making that railway it would be a sound thing for this Colony to guarantee a moderato interest on the cost of construction. In any case the amount the Colony would be liable for would": not be very grest, and if the railway prospered The guarantee of a certain interest might never be called up; and I consider that even in the event of a small debit in the first year or two the prospects of a fair revenue from that railway are extremely good-(applause)-because the Canton delta is, as we all know, both fertile and populous. In regard to the opening of Vai chow, that is a thing that I hope the committee, will always bear in mind and, if the railway is
ስኮ
brought into the field of practical politics, will press for. (Applause.) It seems from all accounts to be necessary as a link in the railway between Kowloon and Canton, which if taken in the
way the committee recommend would not iu- terfere with the great interests we have in our steamers on the waterway, and would render it impossible
else for anybody
to develop Any port
the banks of the river against this port. (Applause,) I was very pleased to see that the committee in their letter of 12th December quoted the weighty words which Sir Henry Blake gave on his going away on this subject, and I am very glad to see that the Officer Administering the Go- vernment (page 25 of this report) has taken the matter specially under his control; at least he has brought all the influence he has got to bear on that point.. I think we are not unduly sanguine when we think that withį all these different influences brought to bear! on it, this railway will be made to go! ahead by sonis means or other. (Applause.) Well, gentlemen, after reading these latters I felt that the committee were fortunate in having their views put forward in such a thought-! ful and lucid way as the Chairman has done. With regard to the accounts we are in a very happy position, money is coming in and very little going out. The account is mostly on one side. !
I have no doubt that as our balance increases we will find some useful means of utilising it- (Applause.) With these remarks, I have very much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report and accounts.
The motion was carried unanimously.
54
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