CO129-361 - Public Offices - 1909 — Page 296

}

43

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]

(Translation.)

Inclosure 3 in No. 1,

Memorandum communicated by the Wai-uu Pu to Sir J. Jordan.

THE Board have received a Memorandum from Sir John Jordan inquiring, at the request of his Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong, whether in view of the issue of a Decree establishing a tael currency, it is the intention of the Chinese Government to withdraw the existing subsidiary coins representing decimal parts of a dollar, and whether the output of the provincial Mints will be under central

control.

In reply to inquiries addressed to the Board of Finance, the Wai-wu Pu have now received a communication from that Department, wherein they call attention to the great importance of the question of the currency, and point out that if a perfect system is to be devised, it is essential that the subject should be considered in all its aspects. At the present time the Government Council are preparing a Memorial on the subject, and, as soon as the result of their deliberations is made known, a detailed scheme will be prepared, and general instructions issued. As regards subsidiary coins, the Board of Finance point out that they have long been in circulation in all parts of China, and not merely in Kuangtung. As soon as the whole question has been considered and a scheme decided upon a further communication will be sent.

February 23, 1909.

CHINA TRADE,

CONFIDENTIAL.

[16132]

294

C.O. .16121

[April 28.1

SEOTION 2.

KEG 13 MAY OC

No. 1.

Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan.

(No. 78.) (Telegraphic.) P.

Foreign Office, April 28, 1909, PROHIBITION on sale of coal at mines of Peking Syndicate in Honan. Your

telegram No. 78 of the 21st April.

The Syndicate inform me that their agent has been advised by you to draw up a reasonable claim for compensation. They suggest 1,000 taels a day from the 1st April. Do you concur?

[2236 ee--2]

0

!

ne