CO129-442 - Governor Sir May - 1917 [4-6] — Page 207

Fondosure

4.

THE

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

SATURDAY, APRIL

205

21ar,

1917.

!

F

HONGKONG'S MESSAGE TO THE EMPIRE AND THE ALLIES.

Ir was, of course, a foregone conclusion that the Government would refuse to endorse the resolution submitted by the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, through their Chairman, the Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK. in favour of excluding Germans from the Colony for ten years after the war and re-admitting them, at the end of that period, only on strict licence. It is perfectly safe to say, however, that the reason given for their action was not anticipated. The belief prevailed that the Government would decline to commit themselves on a matter that involved a The question of Imperial policy. speeches of the unofficial British members showed this, by laying stress on the fact that the Couneit were being invited not

to initiate legislation on the subject but merely to place an expression of opinion before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who is encharged with the re- sponsibility of representing Hongkong and the other Crown Colonies at the Far forbcoming Imperial Conference. from adopting an attitude of humility, however, and pleading that as Civil Servants they could not presume even to offer advice unsolicited to the Home Authoritics, the Government boldly de- clared that they could not accept the motion on its merits," for they were "not in the inter- convinced that it was este of the Colony." This is a remark- able change of attitude since the pro posal to cancel Enemy Trade Marks was Viewed in the light under discussion.

of the arguments by which it was sup- ported, it showed scant respect for the policy outlined in the resolutions passed by the Allied Economic Conference or in the recent report of Lord BALFOUR of Burleigh's Committee. Indeed, it may be said of the Government of Hongkong that they have learned nothing and for- result of the gotten nothing, as War. This, perhaps, is not surprising, for they are a comfortable distance from the scene of the strife, and the official creed has always been summed up in the words: "As it was in the begin- ning, is now, and ever shall be,"

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On purely economic grounds we ге- gard the case on behalf of unrestricted commercial intercourse with all the

nations of the world as unassailable, but, as Mr. BONAR LAW declared a short time ago in the House of Commons, the ques- tion is not one now merely of pounds, shillings and pence. Lord BALFOUR'S Committee, too; while frankly acknow

** any ledging that to some of them measures which may act in restraint of trade are in the abstract distasteful,” wisely and courageously recognised, "with the experience gained in the war." that no abstract opinions" ought to hinder what is best for the Empire. So far as this little outpost of Empire is concerned, the European commercial community are convinced that, both from a sentimental and a practical point of view, the exclusion of the Germans, with their unsavoury record in trade and war, would be a salutary step. They recognise that, in such an event, they might encounter German competition from new centres, but they are confident that this can be met successfully, and they are prepared to face it, especially in view of the fact that German firms are not likely for years to come to enjoy the great assistance which they received before the war from British banks and discount houses in London. This, be it remembered, is the opinion of practical men of affairs who have successfully pi- loted large businesses through the stress and diffiealties caused by the unprecedented dislocation of trade during the past two years half. By whom is this opinion op. posed? The official majority, reinforced by two nominated Chinese members, who admit that they have not consulted the The Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Hon. Mr. LAG CHU-PAR and his colleague favour the policy of Wait-and-See." Though declaring themselves in sympathy with the idea of placing Germans under strict licence they did not venture to move an amendment on these lines. The fear of finding Hongkong isolated by which they are afflicted, and upon which H. E. the GOVERNOR Beized with such eage: css, is purely chimerical, because there is not the remotest possibility that the Imperial Government will deal with

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