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endeavours to bring home to the Chinese Government the inevitable effect of such persistent neglect of duty on the trade and prosperity of the country, and that in the meantime every endeavour be made to combine with other foreign Powers equally interested in arranging a comprehensive scheme whereby the evil may be mitigated.
XII. Opium and Morphia,
That this conference welcomes the intention of His Majesty's Government, as evidenced by the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1920, to control the traffic in opium and its derivatives, but fears that these efforts will to a great extent be nullified unless the Chinese: Government and the foreign Powers are prepared to co-operate effectively in preventing the cultivation, import or sale of these drugs in any part of the country."
XIII. Crown Leases.
That this conference deplores the prolonged delay in arriving at a satisfactory decision regarding the extension of Crown leases in the British concessions at Canton, Haukow and Tien-tsin, which is seriously affecting British trade interests, and urges Hig Majesty's Government to effect an early settlement of this important question; and, further, that the terms of this resolution be communicated by cable His Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
XIV. The Famine.
That this conference express its deep sympathy with the Chinese people in the sufferings occasioned by the famine now afflicting so large an area of North China.
XV. Support of British Educational and Medical Mission Work in China.
That in view of the importance from a national standpoint of ensuring the adequate maintenance and development of British educational and medical work in China, this conference urges upon British merchants the necessity for unified effort to that end. As a means of supplying the above principle, the conference recommends the adoption. of the following proposals:-
1. That the Associated Chambers shall entrust to a central committee the work of formulating proposals for the support of British educational institutions and hospitals in China, and of allocating such funds as may be contributed
purpose.
for the
2. That prior to the issue of an appeal to members of the Associated Chambers for!
contributions towards the above objects, the said committee shall submit a statement showing the accounts which it considers to be urgently needed under each head, together with proposals as to the basis on which contributions placed at its disposal should be apportioned.
3. That a central fund be opened at Shanghai, into which funds to be placed at
the disposal of the above committee shall be paid.
4. That in view of the impossibility of dealing in an adequate manner with every phase of educational and medical work in China, the committee's efforts shall be concentrated on the following linea:
(a.) The support of British schools giving a high-class secondary education
to Chinese students,
(b.) Assistance to British medical missions in their present financial difficulties, due to unfavourable exchange rates and other causes, which threaten to interfere seriously with their philanthropic work in China.
5. That a certain proportion of the funds contributed be set aside as reserve fund from which contributions may be made for such charitable purposes, other than educational or medical work, as may seem to have a specially strong claim to the sympathy and assistance of British merchants in China.
XVI. Railways in China.
That in view of the inability of the principal railways of China to handle satisfactorily the volume of cargo awaiting transport which inability is due in part to faults in organisation, and in part to lack of material-this association desires to support the efforts of the railway authorities to--
1. Improve their organisation in respect of prevention of fraud, more regular running of trains and direct bandling of cargo without recourse to transportation companies; and
2. Obtain sanction for the expenditure necessary for the purchase of additional rolling-stock, the building of more goods sheds and the double-tracking of certain sections of the lines.
XVIL Railway Standardisation.
That in view of the vast potentialities of railway development in China, and with special reference to the efforts now being made by the Chinese Government, with the assistance of an international advisory committee, to standardise the national railway system, this conference regards it as a matter of primary importance that British engineering and technical skill, as applied to railway construction and equipment, should be adequately represented in this country, and commends this view to the careful consideration of manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
XVIII. Mail Service.
That, whilst gladly recognising that there has recently been some improvement in the mail service between China and the United Kingdom, the conference desires to call attention to the fact that it is still subject to frequent delays and is deplorably irregular, and urges the responsible authorities to make every effort to put the service on a satisfactory basis.
XIX. The Consortium.
That this conference welcomes the formation of the new consortium, and especially the proposal to invite Chinese financial co-operation in its workings, which, it believes, will meet the criticism that the new consortium only represents foreign financial interests. That this conference believes that while China's financial re-establishment lies in her own hands, and cannot be entirely effected from without, the new con- sortium should be of the greatest service to the Chinese people and foreign trade. XX. Definition of the term "Shipment."
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This conference is of opinion that, in view of the utmost importance attaching to shipment," every the standardisation of the clauses on bills of lading relating to
the point, not only effort should be made to obtain unanimity of opinion on amongst chambers of commerce throughout the East, but also, if possible, in all
countries.
With this object in view, this conference recommends that a special committee be appointed by the Associated British Chambers of Commerce in China and Hong Kong, consisting of one representative of each of the shipping, banking, and merchant interests (with power to add to their number) to enquire into and make recom- mendations to this association un all questions relating to the term "shipment," also responsibilities of shipowners in connection with bills of lading.
XXI. The Famine and Surtaxes.
This Association of British Chambers of Commerce in China and Hong Kong agrees to the proposed 10 per cent. surfax on customs import dues for famine relief for a definitely limited period of twelve months, provided that the distribution of the funds as raised be made subject to adequate foreign supervision and publication of detailed accounts, and protests in principle against the recent imposition of numerous surtaxes now being levied, which have been imposed without adequate notice being given or time stated.
XXII. The term "Shipment."
That Messrs, Scott, Arnhold, Beytagh, and a representative of the Canadian Pacific Ocean Services (Limited) together with the secretary of the Shanghai British Chamber of Commerce, be appointed to act as a committee immediately to enquire into and endeavour to arrive at an equitable and early settlement of the difficulties that have lately arisen in connection with the financing of bills of exchange due to the non-acceptance by foreign banks of bills of lading bearing certain clauses regarding shipment; that this committee have power to add to their number and of substitution; and that, in view of the extreme importance attaching to an early settlement, the
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