1920-03-25 — Page 7

CA BLES.

LATEST QABLES. (THROUGIN_MEUTER'S, ACHWOT-}

FRENCH PRISONERS IN RUSSIA.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIAN” REPRESENTATIVE.

PARIS, March 18th.

Havas message says:~~ With the object of hastening the re- "patriation of French prisoners of war in Russia, the French Government has authorised the Chancellor of the French Legation at Copenhagen to enter into.com- munication with the Bolshevist repre mentative, M. Litvinch.

The Chancellor is not permitted to treat with any other subject,

TO DEFEND BELGIUM.

FRANCE PLEDGES HERSELF UNCONDITIONALLY.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY. MARCH 25TR,

FAR EASTERN CABLE

NEWS.

[ET COURTESY OF THE ** CRIME MAIL"]

SHANGHAI COTTON CO. CASE..

SALE TO JAPANESE FORBIDDEN,

DEATH OF ME. FE ROSSER THE WELL-KNOWN ARCHITECT: The death occurred, yesterday morning, at St. Paul's Hospital, Causeway Bay, of Mr. F. Endell Rosser, who for the past seven years has practised in the Colony ad architect. The deceased entered the Hospital about ten days ago for an opera tion, which was successfully performed, and it seemed as if he was on the way to complete recovery, but on Monday

ARRIVAL OF DUTCH WARSHIPS.

OFFICIAL LANDING OF COM MODORE.

Bail-

HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

1920.

MINISTRY OF LABOWE.

As the request of the above Ministry application forms for securing the services of demobilised soldiers on the ministry's register were circulated amongst the mem-

The Report of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Combers of obs Chamber, meres, for the your ended Sist December, 1019, has been issued.

TELEGRAPHIO DELAY TO THE UNITED

· KINGDOM. **

DELAY TO INWARD MAILS.

Correspondence passed between the Post Master Lieneral, Hongkong, and " the amber whereby representations were made to the Home Authorities.

The arrival of two Dutch warships in Harbour yesterday morning was an nounced by much firing of salutes from the

Correspondance dealt with during the visitors, from H.M.B. Cairo and from SHANGHAI, March 24th,

U.S.S. Helena. The visitors IN... year, it says, has again, been exceptionally Sir Haviland de Saumarez, Judge of Maarten Harpertsaroon Tromp (Comeavy. Certain subjecta, on account of H.M. Supreme Court for China, has demander Boeser) and H.N.H.S. Hertog deir confidential nature, do not appear. livered an important judgment declaring Hendrik (Commandar Shije) are sailing The following are among the subjects which have engaged, the attention of the na ultra vires the proposed" sale of the under the flag of Commodore Bentz van

Committee:- Shanghai Cotton Manufacturing Com den Berg for a cruise, for the purpose of Pany to Japanese interests. An injuno showing the Flag in Eastern ports.

ing from Java, the warships went frst. tion was granted.

to Singapore and thence to Baiguri, This subject, which had the attention of whence they have come to Hongkong.

the Committee during 1918 has again been Immediately after the vessels were au- before the Chamber. Correspondencs be chored, Mr. G. 8. D. Hamel, Consul tween the Superintendent of the Eastern General for the Netherlands, wens on Extension Australasia and China Tolo- The Government, Tientsin board the Maarten Harpertesraon Trump graph Co. At 11.30 am, the official landing of Comhamber of Commerce, etc., and this modore Bents van den Berg took place.

Chamber will be found in the appendix. Accompanied by the Consul General, Captains Boeser and Shijs, the Com modore was received on Blake Pier by Capt. H. S. McGrath, A.D.C. to H.E. the Governor and a guard-of-honour of the Wiltshire Regiment under the command of Lisut. James Having inspected the

donth resulted from heart failure.

party paid a visit to Government House. Later in the day, H.E. the Governor Mr. Rosser first came to the Colony

INCRELSED VALUATION ON BILLS OF LADING, called on Commodore van den Berg on about seven years ago to join the late Mr.

Information was received from Shang board the Flagship. The Commodore

hai Lhamber of Commerce that the limit Brotherton Harker, on whose death, ve visited Commodore Gurner, H.M.8. Cara or cargo values had been raised to £200 years ago, he entered into business on his and the U.S.B. Helena daring the day. per package or £1 per cubic toot by the These visits were returned by Bear-Ad- Homeward Freight Conference. The own account. During the war he acted miral G. H. Borrett, Commander Briggs Committee is of the opinion that this as a Cable Censor. Mr. Rosser was a and Commodore Gurner later in the after-arrangement should be general and in consequence are pursuing the matter fur- Freemason, being a member of the The Dutch warships are staying in ther.

Hongkong until Monday next. Last Victoria Lodge. He was 45 years of age, might, the Commodore and the Dutch INTERRUPTION TO TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICA- Marshal Foch and his Chief of the and leaves a widow, one daughter and one officers were entertained to dinner on son, for whom much sympathy will be felt board E.M.B. Cairo. To-night, there is a dinner party at Government House, and Btaff, General Weygand, reported yester

The funeral, which took place yesterday to-morrow the local Dutch community are day morning to M. Deschanel on the pre-evening, was fairly well attended. The catertaining the visitors to dinner at the

Repulse Bay Hotel, sent military situation in Germany, and the movement of Allied troops in the

· gócupied areas.

„PARIE, March 18th.

A Havas message says:-

France, in a definite and reciprocal

YANGTRZE CONSERVANCY,

In conjunction with Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, pressure is being brought to bear on the raver Conservancy bureau and Maritime Customs Authorities to find

of the Yangtze opposite the british Con- cession at Chinking.

Treaty of Alliance, has pledged herself morning, he got an apoplectic fit, and guard-of-honour, the Commodore and a solution of the problem of the silting up

Berpetually and unconditionally, to come to Belgium's assistance whenever attacked.

UNREST. IN GERMANY.

MARSHAL FOOH'S REPORT TO M. DESCHANEL..

PARIS, March 18th.

A Havas message says:

The political debate in the Chamber of Deputies announced for to-day was post- poned

EARLIER CARLES.

ALLIES WILL TAKE ACTION.

PARIS, March 17th,

A Hovas message says -----

cortega left the Hospital at 4.30 p.m. and reached the Monument about half an hour later. Immediately behind the coffin walked Master Seton Rosier, the deceased's

досп

From Hongkong, the warships are going to Shanghai, North China, Japanese parts and back to Java by way of Manila,

TLON BETWEEN THIS COLONY AND CANTON.

Intimation was received in the early part of. April from the Post Master General, Hongkong, that he was willing to arrange for letters to be sent to Can- ton by the afternoon Express, thus over- coming to a large degree the inconvenience caused by the severance of telegraphio

communication.

little son, with Mr. G. F. Nightingale, THE "TEMPEST" COMEDIES. Mr Fung Tang and Messrs. Percy

and Messrs. G. R. Haywood, J. E. Under- wood and C. J. Hammes. Then followed

י

INCHBASE IN FREIGHT ON C.I.P. SHIPMENTS.

This Chamber's opinion was sought by Bmith Seth and rieming as to whether, in- crease of freight on C... shipments should be borne by the buyer or shipper.

· HOLIDAYS: "

WAB RISK INSURANCE,

A suggestion that a New War Risk Clause should be inserted in Selling Contracts was not supported by the Committee.

REQUISITION OF THE C.P.O. SERVICE SHIPS.

The intervention of this Chamber was organisation caused by the Home Govern. instrumental in alleviating the dis ment requisitioning the above Company's ships.

THE PUBLIC SERVANTS LIABILITIES ORDIN

ANCE; 1917. "A" Representations to the Government to have the above Ordinance made applicable to Mercantile as well as Public Servante raised practical objections which bave not been overcome,

AN "ORDININGS TO AMEND FURTHER. THI

LAW RELATING TO COMPANIES,

As the result of a copy of the above being put before your Committen by the Registrar of Companies certain angge tions were made which are to be found in the Appendi

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YUNNANESE TO STUDY AT HONGKONG 'UNIVERSITY. This matter which was under the con- sideration of the Chamber last year re

Stephen's College after passing the sulted in a scheme being drawn up and "two students being admitted to St.:

Scholarship Examination.

CHAMBER'S LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO MAJOR CASSEL, RE On "his departure from the Colony a letter of appreciation was sent to Major Cassel, O.B.E.

- LEGAL SUB-COMM 3 TTEE.. The Chamber feeling the necessity for a. Sub-Committee to deal with Legal ques." tions put this matter before certain mem- who expressed their readiness to serve an such a Committee,

TON FOR TON POLLOY, An acknowledgment to the Chamber's representations dealt with in last year's

DEPOSITS WITH CANLE, COMPANIES. report was courteously passed to the Chamber by the Government conveying the Ubjection was taken by one of the mem information, that the matter was one of thebers to the action of the Cable Companies. subjects being dealt with at the Peace in demanding a deposit against monthly Conference.

credit accounts. PROHIBITION OF EXPORTATION OF SALTFETRE TO CANTON,

ነት

The efforts of this Chamber were instru mental in obtaining permits to export saltpetre to Canton.

TRADE WITH GERMANY.

Application was made to this Chamber to define the position of merchants in this Colony with regard to Trade with. Ger many The Committee are at present awaiting a definite expression of opinion from the Local Government (since pub lisbed the Local Preka)."

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.

ARMED HIGHWAY BOBBERY AT SWATOW. The attention of the Chamber was called to the action of the Chinese Military Authorities under Chan Kwing-ming in seizing by force certain cases of unsigned As a result of information put before bank notes in custody of British firm this Chamber the local Government was at Swatow. What appeared to the Com-approached with reference to the neces mittee as nothing more nor less thanity for making regulations governing the highway robbery was brought to the notice installations of Electric Light Plants. of the Government who took action in the matter.

DAYLIGHT BAYING. Daylight Saving having been instituted at Shanghai it was thought desirable to put the clock forward in Hongkong so as to maintain a uniform standard time in. this zone during the summer months, on, was consulted on the subject but did not favour an alteration, and subse quently at a meeting of members of the Chamber the matter was discussed in all its aspects and it was finally decided to make no change.

- RAMPLING GODOWYS,

The disabilities under which sampling of expert cargo is condued by the Gov ernment Analyst having en brought to the notice of the Chamber the matter was referred to the Association of Exporters and Dealers of Hongkong for investiga

·COUSIN KATE,

tion with the request that that body com municate its views direct to the Govern. Miss Marie Tempest and her talented

ment Copy of the Association's letter to other friends and sympathisers, among company last night staged the charming The Committee supported the applicate Government which points out the whom were Messrs A, E. Wright, E. Mlittle play "Cousin Kate." It is a cualtion to the Government by the Exchange public godown is printed in the Appen

impracticability of the establishment of a Hazeland, J. Caer Clark, A. G. Hewlett, love story in the atmosphere of rural Banks to have the following days gazetted dis WLWeaser, W. Budge, J. H Gardiner, England. First we are introduced to a general holidays: 3rd February, 1st July, 27th December 1819 and 2nd and 3rd young lady who has come under the strong January 1926. (Appendices W. DI. Q2mittee were ofered to a member on the influence of a preseritable young curate B2)... to an extent that has made her hesitate HEWETT, MEMORIAL" SCHOLARSHIPS. · question of a claim for damage to cargo A request was received from the Dean by fresh water where the Steamship Com over marrying the man to whom she is engaged, and stiff causes the lover to remove himself from her presence & few

of the Faculty of Arts of hongkong Uni-Dany were offering considerably less than days before the announced date of the

veraity for financial assistance on behalf voice value in Bettlement.

TELEGRAPHIC CHARGES,

The Council of Ambassadors, pesterday, P. T. Farrell, Captain Benson, Captain Wetherell, Capt. and Mrs. Skilton, and Mr. and Mra W. P. Neeson. The funeral ceremony was conducted by the Rev. V. H. Copley Moyle

considered the situation created by the re- cent events in Germany. It is believed that definite action has been taken. Ger-

CLAIM FOR DAMAGE BY TREBE WATER. - The services of the arbitration-com-

VANCOUVER HARBOUR.

Through the courtesy of the Colonial Secretary a letter from Vancouver Har bour Commissioners was passed to tha Committee for their opinion and sugge tions as regards the possibilities of Van- couver Harbour in connection with the Trans-Pacifio. Service. At the time of going to Press this matter is engaging the Committee's attention.

.PEAK HOSPITAL.

A scheme for re-organising and enlarg ing the Peak Hospital did not receive this Chamber's support as it was considered to be a matter that was outside the pro vince of a Chamber of Commerce.

.

RICE SHIPMENTS ro U.S.A.

The question of standardisation of foreign rice sold on the San Francisco Market which was engaging the attention of the Chamber last year was brought to

Correspon a successful fasue this year. dence showing the agreement arrived is printed in the Appendix

CROWN AGENTS.

The question of indenting for supplies; through the Crown Agents referred to in 1917 was again the subject of correspon dance with the Chambers of Commerce in Mainya. and also the authorities here.

man officials at the Legation were busyAmongst those who sent wreaths were and remains to propose, but the sudden the Chamber. Further a resolution pass-graphic charge for the prefix Urgent correspondence with the Rice Association wedding. The curate comes to sympathise of one of the students. This application

received the favourable consideration of Correspondence with regard to tele

the following:-

nring the afternoon. Herr Mayer naked an audience of M. Millerands to com- municate a message from the Ebert Government. Nothing was published.

At Stuttgart, the French Charge d'Affaires maintains diplomatic relations with the constitutional Government. He is in constant touch with the Presidentents Association, Messrs. Little, Adams stern assertion of her religious prin of the Peace Delegation.

FRENCH NEWSPAPERS IN DIFFICULTY.

OWING TO SHORTAGE OF PRINTING PAPER.

"

·ABOLITION OF TELEGRAPH CENSORSHIP.

on the abolition of the Telegraph Censorinip it was found that certain anomalies existed as regards private codes owing to the regulations in force in cer tain countries to watch messages were despatched. Lorrespondence dealing with this matter is published in the Appendix. QUARTERLY TRADE RETURNS.

necessary in urgent messages formed the subject of correspondence.

• EMBARGO ON AND CONFISCATION OF HICE JHIPMENTS FROM HONGKONG. The question of an embargo en Rica Shipments to the U.S.A. during July, 1919, was the subject of telegraphie of California. On reference to the local. Government is was found that there wa no ̈ foundation for this report. Later it was found necessary by the local "authori❤ ties to purchase compulsorily a small stock of rice consigned to the U.S.A. in order to provide for local needs.

TYPHOON SAFETY MEASURES, - As the result of damage to cargo and cargo lighters and the serious loss of life occasioned by the scarcity of tags, and launches available for towage purposes

HONGKONG DETENCE CORTE. during typhoon weather a Committee on

At the request of His Excellency the which the Chamber is represented has been

Governor this Chamber put forward the formed by the Government to evolve a scheme for better protection. This Com-game of the of its members to sit on the mittee is now at work and it is hoped Committee being formed, to consider e- that the result of their deliberations will drafting of a new ordinance for the re be manifested in some concrete form before gulation of the Volunteer Corps. the next Typhoon Season sets in. (Ap pendix X1).

STORM BIONALS.

This question, which has been before the Committee in previous years, was again brought up with a view to bringing the Hongkong Code into line with the China Coast System. Correspondence from the Colonial Secretary and the Director of the Royal Observatory is printed,

MEMBERSHIP,

intervention of Amy's Cousin Kate inter rupts the scene. It develops that Cousined by the Senate of the University Mrs. Rosser and children, Mr. J. H. Kate, when travelling down in a train, Shai Leung should be deprived of his deciding to recommend that ir Ngan Underwood, Mr. Gay Haywood, Mr, and struck up a warm friendship with an Mrs. C. J. Hammes, Mr. G. F. Nightin engaging young man whom she had never scholarship was received and was support- gale, Bradley & Co. (Machinery Dept.), scen seiere, and possibly might never see ed by the Chamber. Subsequently the

The Man Lung.. Officers and Members of Victoria Lodge, again. Kate is well advanced in years, vacant scholarship was awarded to Mr. Geo. K. Hall, Brutton & Co., Kowloon and unmarried, but that is het justifica British School, Astor House Hotel and tion for counselling Kate to make it up Madame M. Flint, The Kowloon Resid- with the man whom she had driven away by ciples. All is in train for a reconcilia- and Wood, Mr. Rosser's office staff, Staff

tion: Cousin Kate, at Amy's request, goes of the Buildings Ordinance Dept., to the house that the couple were to occupy P.W.D., Messrs. C. W. Falk, R. E.

after their marriage, to see that things Wetherall, W. L Weaser, T. L. Perkins, are in order. While she is alone in the J. Caer Clark, F. G. Becke, V. A. Ward, house her friend of the train journey S. F. B. Silva-Netto, Mr. Young, Capt. J. comes in at the window-for it is his Legge, Captain W. Benson, Mr. and Miss house-and a love scene between the two The Trade Heturn for the First Quarter Manuk, Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Hammes, Mr. develops after the ice has been thoroughly 1919 was published in alightly different and Mrs. W. Budge, Capt. and Mrs. F. broken, and it ends in a betrothal. Kate's form to that of 1918. The Chamber inti- 3. Skilton, Mrs. E. O. Murphy and Miss long absence had evidently made Amy mated to the Superintendent of Imports Kirkwood, Mr. and Mra. E. Walker, Mr. uneasy and she rides to the house through and Exports that the new form should be and Mrs. D. A. Goodwin, Mr. and Mrs, the rain. Then comes the denouement continued.. A. E. Wright, Capt. and Mrs. Wheeler, Cousin Kate's horror, she discovers A Havas message says:-

Mr. A. V. Young, Mr. and Mrs, T. M. that the man to whom she has become Froach newspapers give much promin-Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. B. L. Frost, Mr. counselling Amy to marry! ence to the serious position of the Pres. and Mrs. G. Ireland, Mr. and Mrs. D. A happily, however, in the final i

Parvel, Mr. P. T. Farrel and Miss Far- Miss Tempest sa Cousin Kate was de created by the shortage of printing paper.rell, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Edwards, Mr. lightfully natural, and the part of Amy and Mrs. H. Mackintosh, Mr. and Mrs was admirably taken by Miss Dorothy The price has increased nine fald since 8. Binney, Mr. and Mrs J. W. Donald, Hamilton who shared with Miss Tempest 1914. Several newspapers announce an in. Mr and Mrs. Young Hee and family, Mr. the honours of the evening. Mr. Graham and Mrs. D. Kilbee, Mr. and Browne's versatility was again proved by crease of price.

Mrs. W. P. Neeson, Captain and Mre his clever interpretation of the part of S. Thomson. Mr. and Mrs. A. Hicks, Mr. Heath Desmond, the lover of the two and Mrs. C. Liddell, Mr. and Mrs. A ladies. The other parts were well taken Keating. Mr. and Mrs. D. Richie, Mr. by Miss Doria Gilham, Kir and Mrs. A. G. Hewitt, Mr. and Mrs. J. Sylvaney, Mr. Roger Barry and Mi

Armorel Kemp, and as the curtain fell Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Thompson and others applause which was so richly deserved

The Company repeat this play this evening. It must be very disappointing to the Company to be playing night after A letter to Mr. Ross advising him as to of the Colonial Secretory that owing to paid to surveyors and the extraordinary. night to very small houses.

PARIS, March 17th.

PASTEUR ANTI-RABIC

TREATMENT.

REMARKABLE RESULTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

PARIS, March 17th.

A Havas mosage BLY*:--

success of the Pastour anti-rabic serum, during 18 months, in England and Wales, has been very remarkable

The scrum was injected into 90 people bitten, and not one got hydrophobi

PARISIAN TAXI-MEN.

AN INCREASE ON FARES AND THE SEQUEL

PAR78, March 17th,

A Havas mesange says: The Parisian taxi-men having doubled "their fares a week ago, the public went on strike, refusing to patronise them Many of the taxi-men are now offering the ald rate

4

betrothed is the man that she had been All ends

Kyrie

BOYAL ENGINEERS OLD COMRADES, ABBOGIA- TION.

The President of the China Command Branch of the above association applied to this Chamber for assistance in binding employment as skilled artificers for mem- bers of the Corps of Royal Engineers whose term of service with the colours was tearing completion, given that anything that the Chamber could do would be done.

An assurance was

TIME BALL BIGNAL

Hepresentations from this Chamber re- sulted in the arrangement that the Time Ball should be dropped at 10 am, daily and 4 p... on all days except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays and Elso that wire Idas aignals should be flashed at à p.m. daily.

ECONOMIC RESOURCES OF THE EMPIRE. As the result of a despatch received from the Secretary of State the Committes put forward the names of certain gentle at the request of the Colonial Secretary

the Economic Resources of this Colony.

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

During the year under review Maison A. R. Marty ceased membership, while the following new members were elected and their election requires the usual con firmation:-Messrs. Brunner Mond & Co Ltd, Mark E. A Beaumont & Co Mesars Cooper & Co., Mesara Walter Ford & Co., Messrs. Getz Bros & Co. of the Orient, Ltd., Messrs. Hastings, Hodgo & Co., Ltd., Messrs. Holland Facina Trading Co. Mesars, Hongkong Import and China Produce Export Co., Messr Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha, Mesars, Rudolf Wolff and Kow, Ltd., Messrs. D. S. Ste & Co., Messrs. Bilva-Netto & Co., Messrs Thomas W. Simmons & Co., Messrs. P. A Xavier & Co., Mr. A. G. da Rocha, Me J. T. Shaw, Mr. John Furer.

The memberhip at 31st December sfood at 186, viz. 161 firms, and 25 individual members,

FINANCES.

Witchell, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Gardiner, upon each act, the audience accorded the June 1919, and the late Mr. C. H. Ross men to form a Committee of Enquiry into ing a very satisfactory year. Income bak

THE BRITISH IMPERIAL COUNCIL OF COMMERCE, Intimation wae received that a Special Business Conference of the above council would be held in London on the 4th of the Chamber's representative on the coun- cil at the time was invited by telegraph to represent the Chamber at this meeting. the points of special interest to the busi ness community of this Colony is printed in the Appendix. A full report of the proceedings may be seen in the Chamber's

TROTSKY'S STRANGE TANK.

Reuter's Agency learns that a refuges who has escaped from Pavlovsk to Fin- land when the White Army was approach ing has explained the secret of the "Red Caterpillar," which was so much adver tired by Trotsky, in his wireless messages. This celebrated caterpillar" was con There was a fairly large audience at the structed at the Baltic Works in Petrograd Victoria Theatre last night when Pro at the instance of the Communist work fessor Eugen de Rubini, the well-known men, and by their hands. An enormous telepathist, gave an interesting demonstra furniture van was used as its foundation, tion of telepathic powern The audience this being covered with armour and sup was kept spell-bound right through the plied with a motor-engine, It contains a held gun and several machine-guns seance, the bewildering correctness of the outward

appearance of the caterpillar responses to mental injunctions causing a is most impressive, especially on account stir Ping hidden in the hall were found of its dimensions and the very threaten- and the mental commands of the conduc- ing jingle and rattle proceeding from its for carried ont accurately. The crowning ill-fitting parts. This production of home act of the scarce was the revelation of an inventiveness

was presented to the Conn imaginary marder among the spectators, oil of People's Commissaries with much Mr. de Rubini discovering the murderers, pomp. For several days it was driven the weapon, and indicating the part of the about the streets of Petrograd to create body where the victim was supposed to an impression A to whether it ever have been struck the fatal blow, went into action at the front the Bol Mr. de Rubin appears again at the abevils are silent.

theatre to-night.

PROFESSOR EUGEN DE BUBINI AT library, botani

VICTORIA THEATRE.

•

The Committee has pleasure in record more than doubled itself, due principally to increased membership and fees rond survey, while there is a corresponding increase in expenditure chiefly due to feed axpenditure detailed. 8567.86 has been carried to General Be A surplus of

The Committee brought to the notice it being impossible to claim that goods manufactured here owed 75 per cent of their total value to the labour expended upon them in the Colony and materials Account which now stands at produced by the Colony Hongkong would not come within the scheme for Imperial Freference.

PILVERAGE CLAIMS,

-FLOUR SE1PMENTH FROM AUSTRALIA. '

ment in requiring Hongkong importers of The attitude of the Australian Govern- Australian Flour to give an undertaking

Two members of the Chamber brought that such cargo should not be transhipped to the notice of the Committee the action to the Philippines, Straits Settlements of certain shipping Companies in consider- and Dutch Indica received the attention ably reducing claims on the grounds that of the Committee.

nd valorem freight should have been paid

ROYAL COLOSLAL INSTUINTE

The offer of representation at home by the above Institute in matters of Imperial interest, affecting this Colony was grate. fully accepted. Also letter offering agencies for certain Manufactures to British Merchants was received and de- tails are printed in the Appendix.

CONSTITUTIONAL HEVORM

The Chamber is indebted to the Euro pean Association of Ceylon for its report setting out a comprehensive scheme for constitutional reform in Ceylon.

REQUEST FOR STEAMEKIP LINES FOR

AUBTEILIA TOUCHING "PAPUA,***

A request was received from Papua that a new freight service to Australia via Papas should be inaugurated but the Chamber's enquiries in that direction were not 'auccessful;

$24,853.90,

CHINESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL,

The accounts of the Chinese Language School show a deficit of $1,978,40, neces sitating the absorption of a Fixed Deposit of $2,000 shown in 1017 accounts, et

This deficit is due to falling off in sten dance of students, due to war conditions and the consequent reduced income from School Fees, S

towards the end of the year stu became more numerons, and s is entertained that 1920 will an the School on a sound financial a

The Director again reports good sults of Test Examinations held from t to time, while the following studente BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION,

Passed the Final Examination and Notion was received of the intention toed the Chamber's Certificate of Profe hold a British Empire Exhibition in in Cantones, Vernacular: Messrs 1921 The Committee sasured the pro- Hevington, D. K. Mom, K. & Morn motors that they would do everything A. Mackenzie, A. W. Smith, and possible to assist this scheme.

| Wilka:

-