1917-01-29 — Page 7

CROWN COLONY DEVELOP

MEIT."

THE DEPUTATION TO THE SECRE TARY OF STATE.

HONGKONG NOT REPRESENTED.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, JANUARY 29TH, 1917.

from enemy countries We desire to se that produced in the British Empire, and If a Commission such as is proposed is appointed to consider the development of the resources of the Crown Colonies, naturally & question of his kind would be one of the most important questions that they would have to consider, be cause of the large proportion of sugar which can be produced in these Crown Colonies produce

When I was a tons or nearly double in ten years. By the matter is serious. cepting the West Indies, these figures young man in Singapore there was an mostly relate to German and Austrias enormous jungle prodzce trade there. The jungle produce was collected from progress.

I realise that these figurce cannot be all the neighbouring islands, and there taken by themselves, a British shipping) are a great many, as you know, extending in the same trades shoved quite striking to what are now the American colonies increases, but the proportion of increas of the Philippines, and the Netherlands That trade goes on- it is all collected A deputation from the Trade and Into the total shows an enormously bigger Indian colonies. dustry Committee of the Royal Colonial advantage by foreign countries than by tirely put us now: Instituie and Societies: in London repre- ourselves, and, after all, it is propor in Java, and was shipped home by Ger- 1 would suggest that Crown increase that we have to man firms, senting Crown Colonies and Colmies not

In my opinion these figures by themselve Colonies are freely permitted to impose show possessing responsible government was

Mr. James Gardiner (Nigerian Cham- real

recessity for a strong Com import and export duties on

is articles.

I would instance bow, as Iber of Mines) referred to the large hold received by the Right Hon. A Boar mittee of Inquiry to discover what Colonies, on November 3rd (as briefly wrong with British Imperial policy at darcsay you know, the Americans came which the Germans have had upon our Law, M.P., Secretary of State for the announced in our cable column at the the back of Crown Colony and British in and bought up a good deal of pro-trade in Nigeria

the perty in the Malay States in order to time) for the purpose of urging upon His trade Majesty's Government the necessity for opinion that it is no use at this time carry away all the tin ore to be treated

A

development.

I venture

certain

Mr. Joseph Rippon coalt with tele graph communications.

THE COLONICAL SECRENDY'S REPLY.«. Mr. Bonar Law (in reply)—Sir Owen

the appointment of a special Committee talking about high freight rates, rebats there. A prohibitive export duty on tin Philipps" and Gentlemen-When I wa or Commission to inquire: into the condi-ystems, and such matters; we must go ore was imposod, and it is smelted by neked to receive this deputation I waa

tions of trade, the development of un- tural resources, and the improvement of labour supply, transportation, and in Colonies, with a view to making the Em pire mora self-supporting.

tercommunication

BorviDOS of

auch

deeper, if we are going to find the real British companies.

it, that is in itself a sufficient reason

for not receiving a deputation such

1 have now the pleasure of seeing before me. Well, I do not take that view.

would also point

I know that.

in Government Departments that, if reason for the prodigious growth of out that when continual complaints of very glad indeed to do 9. foreign shipping (meaning principally the drunkenness of the coolice on rubber there has sometimes been the view held German and Austrian shipping) to our plantations were made, and when we

they are not favourable to any proposal looked into it, it was found that there that is put before them on the face of Crown Colonies of recent years. may be allowed, I should like to express was no striction on the licences and in a word my view how Germany (for that German liquors were being sold, Sir Owen Philippe, K. C.M.G... insho is the principal factor) arrived at principally port wine, at 15 cepts a introducing the deputation, said it had

In conclusion I would ask you to re- its origin in a sors of resolutions passed her shipping and industrial position, bottle. A stop was put to that. by a meeting in British Guiana, which he did it by having behind her à nation member, that one of the most wonderful am always glad, so far as it is possible.

the Crownal shipping and industrial policy as op

shipping moment, in all Asiatic ports at over posed to our purely trading policy. She results of this war is that at the present aimed at industrial and domination and was rapidly gaining it the world, the subject of most frequent Her subsidied ships would carry West comment amongst the natives is that, African produce at rates and from porte whereas those ports used to be filled with and places that British ships would not ships flying the German flag, there has or could not compete with. She built up 40t been a German flag or a German ship indnetrics at home that absorbed those pan, for over two years. If you appre ciate how many million people talk to the Mother Country as well,' by supply. Products, and gradually but surely a shout this thing and what a vast place Colonice to be best devebped' in the in-

paying proposition developed. has been our position! Within my time it occupies in their minds, I am sure the British Government will see to it

was one of the largest of Colonies, whose devlopment except for the coastal area-had been slower than that of some of the other Crown Colonies. The opening-up to trade and commerce of the vast natural resources of all these Colonies was calculated to be of immance benefit, not only to the British communi ties dwelling within their borders, but ing the raw materials for important in- dustries here,

What

to steamy people who represent such large interests. A: you do, and at a for the from the point of view of time. events to have the knowledge of what your, vicwe are, whatever action. I may afterwards think it right to take.

Now, gentlemen, I have listened to-day to all these speeches with great interesi, but there are two distinct points of view in them all. One is, how are these torests not only of the Colonies but of the British Empire--that is a point on

to mentioning that there is sufficient or indeed a co-ordinated Imperial polic shall realise that, even if the German commending & Commission, something, He proceeded: I will confine invests we have never had an industrial policy that when this war is over those people which we all agree-and the other is re

TO MAKE THE EXPIDE NEVER SELF SUPPORTING.

to

The deputation wishes to plae before you the reasons which, in its opinion, make it vory desirable, in Imperial in terests, to institute an inquiry into the resources of the British Crown Colonia, with a. view

suggest. ing such practical measures as may lead to their development on right lines, and to their freedom from dependence, for the future, upon foreign markets for the dis posal of their produce. The deputation believes that, should you see your way to grant their request, the wish of the Government to make the Empire more self-supporting will be mibstantially fur thered.

of any kind. You will probably remem

ber, air, a Tariff Reform and Imperial Dag is allowed to return, it is not going Preference egitation at home and what to be allowed to monopoline.

Mr. E. R. Davon spoke on behalf of came of it.

tho. West Indies in support of the proposal.

Mr. Bonar Law: I have heard of it TARIFF THAT PENALISE BRITISH TRADE, Mr. Ben. Morgan: In these forty-five Crown Colonies there are an equal mum- ber of tarifle, all builtup separately, with

I presume, in the Nature of the Dominions Royal Commission, with the hope that that would further the objects

we have in view,

Now, is regards the frst, I listened, for instance, to the speech of Mr. Morgan with interest and with agreement; it was very similar to the kind of speech which, if I had had the ability and the know Jodge of the fate which so has, I should

he referred when'n. contioversy, that we all know about, was taking plac

Kny

and

has

suitable land within the British Crown Colonies to produce practically all the sugar which, before the war, we purchas ed from enemy countries, whilst there is almost unlimited scope for the develop

NEED OF PROPER CO-ORDINATION. ment of very many other tropical and

Sir Edward Rosling (Mauritius): As semi-tropical products in these Colonics. The good work which the Dorinions

an instance of a small unit of the Empire Royal Commission is doing by means of

no guiding principle behind them, not suffering from the wait of a proper co- its investigation into the resources of the favouring local or United Kingdom in crdination of the whole, I would mention self-governing States of the Empire is dustries or even British trade; indeed in Mauritiu Owing to the Indian Gov-lyself have at the time to which recognized by everyone, and it is felt that some cases the tariffs actually penalis ornment not allowing that Colony to an inquiry, such as will be suggested for or have in the past penalised, British recruit, indentured labour from India

A CONTROVERBIAL QUESTION- your consideration by the members of this

trade. Here, in this question of Crown there is not sufficient labour for their

Gentlemon, you all know that I am a deputation would be most helpful in pro- Colony tarilla, we have an instrurnent requirements, and in certain instances I moting the welfare and interests of the which, with an Imperial industrial policy am informed that land has gone out of member of a Governmies which contains that Crown Colonies, by drawing attention to at the back of it, would help us to develop cultivation. Not only is the production people of very different views on the resources of the distant parts of the these great and valuable territories in reduced, but India, unwittingly, has on subject before the war broke out. I ver Empire, which have suffered in the past the interests of the people of the Empire, at least one occasion penalised our sugur of these questions; on the contrary,

tainly have not changed my views on any through figuring so little in the public I venture to think that that great prin imported into Bombay by putting on think the lesson of the war has confirmed eye in comparison with the great eclfciple of preference must be generally

much opinion every governing Dominiota.

The great fac protective duty in favour of Jave adopted in these tarifs tors of shipping and railway development Normally, Java sugar is worth some 3d strengthened the arguments which I used then. But I never forget for a moment controlled by a similar cwt, more than Mauritius,, but in one

that we are a very long way from the should also be from the main shipping year, owing to our having marketed our routes, the shipping services with the sugar rather better than Java, the fol- end of the struggle in which we are en Crown Colonies must be made to serve lowing year we were penalised by an gaged, and to me the fiut consideration the purposes of Imperial industrial increased duty. I mention these merely is got even the development of the Bri development not be left merely to the as instaters or evidence in favour of ap-tish Empire; it is the preservation of the And while that is 60, to be I have no doubt whatever that it is my xploitation of purely shipping interest pointing a Committee auch is we suggest. British Empire.

British If our tropical Colonies are These Crown Colonies, like Guians, need railways to open up their thoroughly developed they must depind duty and I hope that you, who evidently vast territories, and the Empire needs very largely on the ssistanco of Indian all share the views which I expressed, the products of these territories for her labour, and I think in the past India has will agre with me our first duty is to industries. It cannot be expected that not altogether appreciated her position consider the effect of anything we do or those railways could be quickly and pro in relation to the Empire and to the say upon the object wheh we have in porly developed by private enterprise different units, but has rather stor view, which a winning the war, and alone on any basis of immediate profit aloof, looking at Imperial questions keeping the Empire, for

future neither could the goot be collected from from a too bureaucratic point of view. Now, having said that I wish to say, these small territories by ships depend After the war trade and inter-colonial about the general subject which has been ing in the first place on immediate commera is likely to assume even put before me, that my hope is that the turna There must be a policy of greater importance than it has done in lessons of the war have made a great porial development Jebind the shipping the past, and it is there that a central difference in the views of those who hold and railway services with and in thet

The establishment of body which can show how each Colony different opinions from me before the Crown Colonies,

war took place and it is my sincere hope any auch policy will need to be preceded can best fit in with its neighbour and

the Empire at large should be of great that there is a strong feeling throughout by an inquiry into the surrounding con

In trade and communications, the whole of Great Britain on two sub- Crown Colonies in relation to thejects, first that our German enemice will rest of the Empire are not altogether un-never be allowed to use our resource like a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be fitted against ourselves in the fature in the way together. It is on these broad general that they have done in the past; and, grounds that we are asking for a Com- secondly, a feeling that the help we have mission or a Committee, framed possibly got from the Empire las changed the on the lines of the self-governing whole aspect of the question of prefer Dominiens Commission, in order to ar-ence, and has made everybody in this rive at some policy, which would tend country ready consider it not merely to co-ordinate all the different units of from the purely paying point of view. not merely from the proit and loss point of view, bat from the higher considera- tion of what the different parts of the pre owe to each other, and how much the strength of the Empire as a whole may be increased.

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188

DAWSON'S

Mr. Ben H. Morgan (Chairman of the Trade and Industry Committee of the Royal Colonial Institute) said: I have bean deputed to make a short statement in the nature of a general survey of the general economic conditions prevailing in the Crown Colonies, not with a view to sug gesting remedies, but to showing the neces-ditions and the many complex and value. sity for the appointment of a Committee diverse interests, and we think that this our of Inquiry on whose decommendations should be conducted by a strong Com action might follow. The conditions are mittee, which we respectfully urge you to

of course, abnormal, and I will appoint without delay. to-day, confine my observations to those prevall ing belore 1914. It is no exaggeration to Sir Ernest Birch, R.C.M.G. (Btraits say that the trading interests of our Settlements): In the first place I wish Crown Colonics, excluding the West to make it quite clear that I am not hem Indie, were largely dominated by Ger either as a representative of the Straits man influence before the War. The un Settlements or of the Federated Malay scrupulousness of these people, wombined States. I was invited by the Committee the Empire, with great capacity for detail and organ who organised this deputation to cont Sir Stanley Bois (Ceylon): Owing to isation made them successful traders in here to see you, and, having been in the the geographical position of Ceylon, end the Tropics. They had gained control Civil Service in the Colony and in the the fact that its government has been of the insurance market; in a few years, Federated Malay States, I accepted the administered by a succession of very able I think, they might have passed us in offer, because I venture to think I know Governors, I need not detain you long in abipping; their export trade grew enor something of the conditions which exist what I have to say on the subject. "My

CONSTIPATION IS DANGEROUS PETER mously; and Low they monopolised out there.

But the real point which we are cor because it poisons the system, causing tropical products, minerals, and raw

You know there is probably no place presence here is mainly to affirm a materials of industry is only too vividly under the sun, in which so many persons general principle thit. I should like to sidering to-day is whether or not such a sick headaches, biliousness, torpid liver,

Sc mure coordination between the in- Commission as you suggest will effect bad complexion, disordered digestion. being orought to our notice by the numerof so many nations and tribes congregate

Well, I have listened to ous public sales of German interests that as in Singapore, and there are very few terests and in the administration of the these objecta

various Colonies of the British Empire. what you have said, and I can only siy are how being conducted. Our-Crown porta in the world which have a greater Colonies were rapidly becoming freders volume of carrying trade than Sing It will be within your memory that at now to you that I will arefully consider one problem, the suggestions you have made. While for German industries; we were deplet pore. The peculiarity of British colonim tlp outbreak of the war

I was still in Oppositon and before I ing the natural with of our possessions, tion seems to be that we go into countries, taking one example alone out of the

cheerfulness restore regularity, and Germany was exchanging sheddy build towns of great importance in trade many, was how to dispose of our coconut, joined this Government, I remember en dispel onstipation, regulate the saver,

health. manufactured goods and squareface gin and commerce, construct railways, and produce. We then discovered that the more than one occasion saying as a critic ism against it, "Whenever you h have any for invaluable raw materials. She realised roads throughout the country, orect forti- bulk was going to the Continent, and

and Of all chemiste, or post free, 60 cents what this country apparently has never fications and establish great docks and that in England there were no presses difficuty you appoint a Committee," realised that the incre industrial de harbour works, and then the Government existing for expressing the oil. That was was not very much it favour of that the phist, from Dr. Williams' Medicine velopment takes place in the counis content to sit down and see foreigners a trade that has had to be entirely recourse, though I am quite sure that the Co., 96, Szechuen Road, Shanghai. tries lying in the temperate zones, the of every nationality come into the coun organiad, and finds itself under quite same thing could be said now just s more valuable will become the exchange try, and tmde in it without restrictica, different conditions since the war com- truly as when I said it when I was in

pratically 710 of commodities with tropical-countries, with

taxation. andmenced. We have many communications Opposition. I think there fa a tendeng ΟΙ little the ao offering raw materials and pro with

control. And with India in the carrying on of our among all of us, if we want something themselves to look into these very quas ducts in exchange for manufactured this privilege which is granted to estates in Ceylon. As you are aware, done, to think the way to get it is totions which you have put before me to- articles. I am not going to take up your them is known, by the name of Free our labour on the estates comes entirely appoint some Commission to inquire into day, in order that we may have their

views upon them. tirao to any extent with figums, but I Trade! In Singapore, amongst a certain from the South of India and generally it and tell. na how to do it.

That is not always the most effective should like to give a few to show how part of the population, especially the speaking I would plead that an outside way. Take, for instance, the Dominions All that I will say to you now is that German and Austrian trade has in Press, Free Trade has become a fetish, inquiry and an outside survey of the Royal Commission, wash has done very you must not go away with the idea that creased in the last twenty years.

and the worship of Free Trade is, of various requirements of our Colonies, useful work, the value of which I am I am satisfied that this method which you In 1893 enemy countries bought and use, eneouraged by all the aliens who and their relations etch to the other and sure will be found later. I forget how suggest is the best one for getting what

live in the place After this war we

with the other, Iong it was at work before the war broke we want done. I see many advantages communications each sold in the West Indies to the extent of hope, that you will use your influence would be of the greatest importance to the put; I think it was either two or three in it. I see, for instance, that me of the £202,900 (I will only give round figures), with the Uabinet and the Government of British Empire, I understand that Bir years. Its deliberations are not finished things that the people of this country and this increased to £701,000 in 1913, the day is put a stop to this state of John. Anderson has recently appointed a yet, and I venture to my this, that with do not at all realise is the enormous ex- The trades of these Colonies are, as know, things. In a Colony of that importance, Committer of Inquiry in Ceylon as to the particular object you have in vier tent and importance of the Colonies largely dominated by the United States. which ranks with Ceylon and Hongkong, Enemy trade with Ceylon grew from on the direct route to the great Asiatic possible developments, and with a view that is of getting a trade policy for the other than the self-governing Colonies, £197,000 in 1893 to £2,081,000 in 1913; nations of India and China, it seems to of coordinating such inquiries I think Empire as a whole, if we appoint a Com and if sach & Commission were to issue Straits Settlements £977,000 in 1898 to me that some measures should be taken Commission of the nature that has mission which is going into every one of a report, which would be studied by and Whisky is the whisky with ✯ £3,788,000 in 1913; West African Colonies, in the future to see that British trade is been indicated by previous speakers these Colonies and examining exhaustke brought home to the people of this con- growing popularity, because its Hy. (as obviously they must do if they try it would be of immense value. I ste elegant flavour is solely due to £550,000 in 1893 and £6,394,000 in 1013; fostered in the place and that foreign would be of the greatest value. East Africa, £78,600 in 1903 and £375,000 trade remains in the place by permission.

are to help us in the problem you put that quite well. TOO BUREAUCRATIC A POINT OF VIEW,

before us) the conditions of all these All that I can say to you, therefore, original fineness developed by Age. in 1913.

I myself, if it were possible, would go so Mr. Sandbach Parker: As I am asked Colonies, then, unless the war lasts untilie that I will consider your suggestion, Obtainable from all Wine The enormous growth of foreign ship far as to advocate that all foreign firms to speak here as the Chairman of the a great many of us are more grey-headed but that you may be sure that we have ping to our Crown Colonies in the ten should caly trade under licence re- British Empire Producers Organisation than we hope to be, the Commission will in this Office clearly in view the necessity Merchants. years prior to the war I will illustrate newable annually. But I certainly it will be unnecessary for me to enter not help us in the problem of how trade of some definite policy on all these sub- in every few figures. Ja 103 foreign think that it is of the greatest - ini- into the question of sugar again, as I relations are to be setled when the warjects when the war ends, in order that we shipping entering Ceylon totalled portance that no foreign shipping firms had the privilege recently of doing so. ends I wish you clearly to have that may, if possible, run the British Empire 3.200,717 tons, and increased in 1913 to should be registered in the Colony, and when laying before jou, in a deputation in view 5,829,709 tons. This increase in carrying that no foreign hanking corporations led by Mr. Hughes, Frime Minister of I wish also to say that the subject has and not Australia in the East African If you knew as I know, having been Australia, the proposals of the British not been left ont of right till now. and South African trades foreign coun-resident there for many years, and her Empire Producer Organisation for quite realise that though

18 the first consideration, we have trim increased their tonnage from ing seen exartly what has taken place development of the industry within the 2.485.853 to 3,001,808 tons In West under our eyes how the Dutch banks Empire. I should like to emphaste the got to prepare as well as we can, as well as the time allows, for the end of the Africa the increase is very striking have been supported very largely by fact that before the war we imported 90 1,034,007 tons in 1903 to 3,031.881 tons in German munney and how German ship- per cent, of our requirements in this war. I have already sent out. inquiries Foreign shipping with the Westing has come into the Colony and cut country from foreign countries, per to every one of the Colonies taking them Indie grew from 3,383,505 to 6,813,400 into our trade, you would realise that cent, of which, or 1,300,000 tons, came (Continued at foot of next Column)

SIGNIFICANT FIGURES.

ΠΟ

trade was principally to the Far East, should be allowed in the Colony,

1013.

the

war

23 one XINVENT.

SOLE AGENTS:

H. BUTTONJEE & SON.

[99

I Sir Open Philipps: I should like to express our appreciation to you, sir, for the sympathetic and kind way in which FRENCH LESSONS you have listened to all the speeches, and for the speech you have made in respouse.

torg can safely be left in your hands. We are sure that these important mat- We thank you very much for so kindly receiving the deputation.

G. MOUSSION,

115, MORRISON HILL ROAD.