-- 6
2. I have since seen the Imperial Decree issued on the 5th of last October establish- ing a tael currency with subsidiary coins in decimal parts of a tael, and I have the honour to enquire whether it is the intention of the Chinese Government to withdraw the existing subsidiary coins representing decimal parts of a dollar and to issue the new subsidiary coins (decimal parts of tael) and whether the output of the Provincial mints are under Central Control. I presume that pending the return of His Excellency Tong Shao Yi no very pronounced steps are likely to be taken in the question of currency reform, but I should be glad of an expression of your views as to whether the new departure is likely to result in any real reformi, more especially in the matter which primarily affects this Colony, viz., the diminution of the excessive issue of silver and copper subsidiary coins.
I have, &c.,
F. D. LUGARÐ.
Governor, &c.
-7
No. 6.
Copy of despatch from Governor of Hongkong to H.B.M. Consul-General, Canton.
No. 22.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG, 13th February, 1909.
SIR-Referring to your despatch No. 124* of the 2nd September last and previous correspondence ou the subject of the issue of Chinese subsidiary coins at Canton I have the honour to request that you will be so good as to furnish me with such information as may be available regarding the recent operations of the Canton Mint.
HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTER,
PERING.
I have, &c.,
F. D. LUGARD,
Governor, &c.
96
No. 3.
No, 3.
No. 4.
No. 4.
Copy of memorandum from II.M. Minister, Peking, to the Waiwupu.
4th February, 1909.
Sir John Jordan has received a despatch from the Governor of Hongkong stating that the subsidiary coins issued by the Canton Mint still circulate at a heavy discount in the Colony, in spite of the reduction in their issue which has proved insufficient to be really effective.
His Excellency observes that on October 5th last a Decree was issued establishing a tael currency with subsidiary coins in decimal parts of a tael, and he enquires whether it is the intention of the Chinese Government to withdraw the existing subsidiary coins repre- senting decimal parts of a dollar, and whether the output of the Provincial Mints will be under Central Control.
As no information has reached Sir John Jordan, since the issue of the Decree of October 5th, regarding the question of introducing a uniform currency as provided for iu the 2nd Article of the Commercial Treaty of 1902, he would be obliged if the Wai Wu Pu would be good enough to acquaint him with the intentions of the Chinese Government in this matter, of which the importance to British trade in China is very great.
No. 5.
Copy of despatch from H.M.'s Minister, Peking, to Governor of Hongkong.
PERING, 8th February, 1909.
SIR-In reply to Your Excellency's despatch No. 7414/08 of the 31st of December last, I have the honour to transmit herewith translation of a memorandum I have handed to the Waiwupu enquiring whether it is the intention of the Chinese Government to with- draw the existing subsidiary coins representing decimal parts of a dollar in view of the Decree establishing a tael currency, and whether the output of the Provincial Mints will be placed under Central Control.
H.B.M. CONSUL-GENERAL, CANTON.
No. 22.
No. 7.
Copy of despatch from II.B.M. Consul-General to Governor of Hongkong,
H.B.M. CONSULATE-GENERAL,
CANTON, 19th February, 1909.
SIR,-Referring to Your Excellency's despatch No. 22 of the 13th instant I have the No. 6. honour to forward herewith particulars of the output of the Canton Provincial Mint for the two years 33 and 34 Kuanghsü.
Your Excellency will observe that while the output of silver dollars shows a large increase during the past Chinese year, a considerable reduction has been effected in the striking of 20 cent pieces.
I am making enquiries as to the more recent operations of the Mint, and will inform Your Excellency in due course of the result of my investigations.
The particulars above referred to have already been furnished to His Majesty's Minister and His Majesty's Commercial Attaché.
I have, &c.,
HAROLD PORTER,
for Acting Consul-General, absent.
His Excellency
I have, &c.,
Sir F. D. LUGARD, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.,
fro..
J. N. JORDAN.
His Excellency
THE GOVERNOR, HONGKONG.
* Not printed.
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