CO129-488 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1925 [1-7] — Page 173

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years of continuous anarchy in South China and have brought with them enormous sums of money, which have been invested in the Colony. All those best qualified to judge are of the opinion that Hongkong is now only on the threshold of far greater developments and that when once affairs in China have settled down under a stable government so that trade can be carried on unhampered by piracy, brigandage and interrupted communications we shall be entering upon an era. of unparallelled prosperity both for this Colony and for British trade, of which it must always be the main centre for South China and, in the opinion of many, for much of Central China as well, when the necessary railway connections

have been effected.

4.

In order that we may be in a position to take full adventage of our opportunities it is essential that we should not be behind hand in making adequate preparations and owing to the practical suspension of public improvements during the years of the war there is much lee-way to make up. Much has been done during the last five years but much still remains to be done and I am confident that the

soundest policy is to press on as rapidly as possible with the work of development. I am not advancing merely my own opinion. My views have the unanimous support of the

Legislative Council, which includes representatives of the

leeding business interests of the Colony, and also, I may

say, of the public Press. I do not of course attach any particular weight to the views expressed in the newspapers but the fact of their support is of importance as it shews

that they realize that public opinion would not tolerate

in this connection the adoption of the attitude of carping

criticism and opposition to Government which as a rule

appears to meet with popular approval. I feel, therefore,

that I may claim that the policy which I advocate is

approved by the whole Colony.