I would add that with regard to that section of the line which lies inside British Territory the Committee are addressing H. E. the Officer Administering the Government suggesting that a similar guarantee should be given by the Colony for the interest required on the British section of the line, or that the railway should be constructed by the Colony.
It is estimated that the line through Hong Kong territory will cost in round figures about half a million pounds sterling, one million being required to complete the line to Canton.
So far as it is possible to obtain statistics of the trade of the district through which the projected line will pass it would appear that a large trade in produce and manufactured articles even now exists, while judging from the effects of railway enterprises already carried out in China and other parts of Eastern Asia we believe we are justified in stating that once the line is in working order an enormous increase will take place in the trade and in all the passenger traffic, with the result that the line should prove a thoroughly sound business undertaking and the risk to the guarantees would be practically nil.
If it is possible to obtain such Government Guarantee we believe that the present Concessionaires should have no difficulty in promptly completing their negotiations and commencing the construction of the line at an early date.
The Committee are of opinion that the Concessionaires should be given twelve months in which to actually start work on the Railway and if at the termination of this period a start has not been made they consider that the interests of this Colony and of British trade generally, opportunity should be then afforded for other negotiations to be put in train.
In conclusion, I trust that I may be permitted to express the hope that Your Excellency's influence will be employed in furthering the early construction of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, upon which enterprise the continued prosperity of this Colony and of British trade in South China so vitally depends.
WR&L(7)−18965-
Sd. Elbert A. Hewett,
Chairman.
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i
772
I would add that with regard to that section of the line which lies inside British Territory the Committee are addressing H. E. the Officer Administering the Government suggesting that a similar guarantee should be given by the Colony for the interest required on the British section of the line, or that the railway should be constructed by the colony.
It is estimated that the line through Hong Kong territory will cost in round figures about half a million pounds sterling, one million being required to complete the line to Canton.
So far as it is possible to obtain statistics of the trade of the district through which the projected line will pass it would appear that a large trade in produce and manufactured articles even now exists, while judging from the effects of railway enterprises already carried out in Chine and other parts of Eastern Asia we believe we are justified in stating that once the line is in working order an enormous increase will teke place in the trade and in all the passenger traffic, with the result that the line should prove a thorouhgly sound business undertaking and the risk to the guarantees would be practically nil.
If it is possible to obtain such Government Guarantee we believe that the present Comessionaires should have no difficulty in promptly completing their negotiations and commencing the construction of the line at
early date.
The Committee are of opinion that the Concessionaires should be given twelve months in which to actually start work on the Railway and if at the termination of this period a start has not been made they consider that the interests of this Colony and of British trade generally, opportunity should be then afforded for other negotiations to be put in trein.
In conclusion, I trust that I may be permitted to express the hope thi thet Your Excellency's influence will be employed in furthering the early construction of the Canton-Kowloon Railway, upon which enterprise the continued prosperity of this Colony and of British trade in South China so vitally depends.
WR&L (7) −18965-
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I have fo.
Sd. Elbert A. Hewett.
Chairman.
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