CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 327

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scheme that I have put forward in my paper, he expressed himself as being strongly opposed to the devotion of the whole of the funds to educational purposes, but approved the spending of a certain amount on British institu tions. He is strongly in favour of promoting research work also, whether agricultural or scientific, but he does not believe that any good will be done by spending the whole of the money on education, in view of the circum- stances Dr. Hart has himself mentioned in regard to the growing conscious- ness of the Chinese, nor does he believe that the Chinese would receive such, a proposal with gratitude.

Mr. Beddington heartily endorsed the opinions and sentiments ex- pressed by the previous speakers.

COTL

The resolution was then submitted to the meeting, and carried nem.

Mr. Wolfers then rose to propose the second resolution:

*

"That the above Resolution be communicated to the China Association in Tientsin with a request that they telegraph the same, as emanating from themselves and ourselves, to the China Association in London. That they urge the latter to place the matter immediately before the authorities concerned, with the earnest request that it be given serious consideration before any definite resolutions are come to regarding allocation of the funds in question. That no such definite resolutions are made before the receipt of the report from the proposed Anglo-Chinese executive committee. Further, that the above Resolu- tion and this Resolution be communicted to the other associated British Chambers in China with a request that they endorse these resolutions through the China Association in London."

Mr. Johnston I beg to second the resolution.

The resolution was then submitted to the meeting and carried nom con.

APPENDICES.

Letters to the Editor of "The Times" from Mr. M. T. Liang and Dr. S Lavington Hart, dated 18th and 19th December, 1924, respectively.

Articles by Mr. H. G. W. Woodhead, c.B.E., Editor of the "Peking and Tientsin Times."

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MR. M. T. LIANG'S LETTER.

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BRITISH BOXER INDEMNITY OF £11,000,000 TO BE RETURNED TO CHINA.

To the Editor of "The Times."

Sir,

Several proposals have been made for the employment of this £11,000,000. Railway building and its extension have, it is stated, the support of the British mercantile community in China, and educational development the support of both Chinese and foreign educationalists in this country.

Both of these proposals have their own recommendations, and while it is the purpose of the British Government to apply the funds in some way that will be beneficial to both Great Britain and China, it will naturally adopt a plan that will be productive of the greatest good for both countries. It is true that education in the country is backward and should be given attention, and that we lack modern transport facilities which railway extension would supply. Undoubtedly, by applying the £11,000,000 to either of these proposals considerable good would result.

There is, however, another proposal not generally thought of, those who have had experience in developing it will attest its practicableness and its immense benefit.

China is really still primitive in many respects, and depends prin- ripally upon agriculture for the maintenence of her population. It is in the direction of furthering agricultural interests that the greatest benefit will accrue to all from the employment of the British Indemnity Fund,

It may be said that the Chinese are but half fed in our days, for with the price of cereals skyrocketing without the compensating rise in the general wage system they have to get along as best they can.

The rise in the cost of foodstuff is attributed to the terrible droughts and iuundations that happen here and there in this country perennially. About four years ago the whole of Central China from the southern border of Shantung Province to the Yangtze River (the Wei or Huai River basin) comprising an immense area was under water for about a year, which des