This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
549
35217 [September 23, 1904
SECTION 2.
Acting Consul-General Campbell to the Marquess of Lansdowne — (Received September 23.)
No. 15.)
My Lord,
Canton, August 17, 1904.
UNDER instructions from Sir Ernest Satow, I have the honour to inclose, for Your Lordship's information, extract from a copy of the Intelligence Report of this Consulate-General for the June quarter, which was drawn up by Mr. Vice-Consul Giles.
I have, &c.
(Signed) C. W. CAMPBELL.
Inclosure in No. 1.
II.—COMMERCIAL.
The Kwangtung Bureau of Commerce.
ON the 13th May last a Bureau of Commerce for the Province of Kwangtung was instituted under the auspices of the Viceroy. It is modelled on the Board of Commerce as recently established in Peking, but the exact scope of its duties can hardly be said to have been clearly defined as yet. The preliminary arrangements in connection with the institution of the new Bureau are, so far, not completed, and consequently its activity in a commercial direction has not begun to make itself felt.
In the order issued by him for the establishment of the Bureau, the Viceroy gratefully admits that Chinese merchants are apt to look with suspicion on all official attempts to promote their interests, and would, as a rule, prefer to work out their own salvation in their own way. The Viceroy feels, however, that it is essential for the continued commercial prosperity of Kwangtung that officials and merchants should enter into closer relations, and co-operate with each other in promoting trade interests.
After this exordium the Viceroy proceeds to lay down the preliminary arrangements that should be made by the Bureau to enable them to start them in real earnest. The first thing to be done is to find a suitable site in the middle of the business quarter of the city, where it will be handy for the mercantile community. The Viceroy suggests that some disused temple should be converted to the purposes of the Bureau; or, if none is available, that a piece of land should be purchased and offices erected thereon, but he is careful to add that no more is to be spent on the buildings than is strictly necessary for the purposes of public business. The next step is to draw up a set of rules defining the work of the Bureau, and the general scope of its duties. The third is to select suitable men for the work, such as have an intimate acquaintance with matters commercial, and are likely to be of real assistance to merchants. The average official, as the Viceroy points out, is seldom in touch with the trading portion of the community, and understands little or nothing about business matters. Finally, the Bureau is to draw up a clear statement of the funds required to meet all salaries and other expenses.
The direction of the Bureau is vested in the Provincial Treasurer and the Grain Intendant of Kwangtung, besides two minor officials, holding the rank of Expectant Taotai. These last two are to be men of commercial experience, and are to have the actual management of the Bureau, while the Treasurer and the Grain Intendant are intended, so the Viceroy explains, to supply the requisite standing and authority to the Bureau, and generally to afford assistance and support to their junior colleagues whenever it may be found necessary.
It is difficult to imagine that the new Bureau is likely to prove of any practical use. The Chinese merchant has little, if anything, to gain from such institutions,
[2156 z-2]
his Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
HINA TRADE,
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
549
35217 [September 23, 104
SECTION 2.
Acting Consul-General Campbell to the Marquess of Lansdowne ---(Received Søptember 23.)
No. 15.)
y Lord,
Canton, August 17, 1904. UNDER instructions from Sir Ernest Satow, I have the honour to inclose, for Your Lordship's information, extract from a copy of the Intelligence Report of this Consulate-General for the June quarter, which was drawn up by Mr. Vice-Consul
Giles.
I have, &c.
(Signed) C. W. CAMPBELL.
Inclosure in No. 1.
II.-COMMERCIAL.
The Kwangtung Bureau of Commerce.
ON the 13th May last & Bureau of Commerce for the Province of Kwangtung was instituted under the auspices of the Viceroy. It is modelled on the Board of Commerce as recently established in Peking, but the exact scope of its duties can bardly be said to have been clearly defined as yet. The preliminary arrangements in connection with the institution of the new Bureau are, so far, not completed, and consequently its activity in a commercial direction has not begun to make itself felt.
In the order issued by him for the establishment of the Bureau, the Viceroy gretfully admits that Chinese merchants are apt to look with suspicion on all official tempts to promote their interests, and would, as a rule, prefer to work out their own alration in their own way. The Viceroy feel, however, that it is essential for the continued commercial prosperity of Kwangtung that officials and merchants should enter into closer relations, and co-operate with each other in promoting trade nterests.
After this exordium the Viceroy proceeds to lay down the preliminary arrange- ents that should be made by the Burean to enable them to start them in real earnest. The first thing to be done is to find a suitable site in the middle of the business quarter f the city, where it will be handy for the mercantile community. The Viceroy uggests that some disnsed temple should be converted to the purposes of the Bureau; r. if none is available, that a piece of land should be purchased and offices erected hereon, but he is careful to add that no more is to be spent on the buildings than is trictly necessary for the purposes of public business. The next step is to draw up a et of rules defining the work of the Bureau, and the general scope of its duties. The third is to select suitable men for the work, such as have an intimate acquaintance ith matters commercial, and are likely to be of real assistance to merchants. The rerage official, as the Viceroy points out, is seldom in touch with the trading portion of the community, and understands little or nothing about business matters. Finally Bureau is to draw up a clear statement of the funds required to meet all salaries nd other expenses.
The direction of the Bureau is vested in the Provincial Treasurer and the Grain intendant of Kwangtung, besides two minor officials, holding the rank of Expectant otai. These last two are to be men of commercial experience, and are to have the etual management of the Bureau, while the Treasurer and the Grain Intendant are tended, so the Viceroy explains, to supply the requisite standing and authority to the Bureau, and generally to afford assistance and support to their junior colleagues henever it may be found necessary.
It is difficult to imagine that the new Bureau is likely to prove of any practical se. The Chinese merchant has little, if anything, to gain from such institutions,
[2156 z-2]
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