1931-02-14 — Page 7

CHINA A PRICE MARKET

HON. MR. GORDON MACKIE'S WARNING

TO BRITISH ECONOMIC MISSION.

THE NEED OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN ALL SECTIONS OF PIECE GOODS PRODUCERS.

EFFECTS OF THE NEW TARIFF WALL.

About a hundred guests attended the dianer giver at the Hong Kong Hotel last night to the British Economic Mission to the Far East, by the China Association, Hong Kong Branch, and the British members of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce,

The Hon. Mr. C. Gordon Mackie who presided, offered a cordial welcome to the guests and in the course of his speech emphasised that China had become a price market, especially for textiles, Our Manufacturers are being boaton continually by Continental, United States, Japanese and Chinese competitors on prices." Ho urged the closest co-operation between all branches of the cotton producing industries-not woavors and spinners only, but bleachers, dyers and printers. Mass production combining cheapness with quality was the need of the day.

BRITAIN AND THE SILVER SLUMP.

This being so, participation in the cheapest grades commanding bulk demand is, admittedly, a vital no-

sonable quota, but also ag an ́erson) •

In

Branch of the China Association tial to low producing costs.

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1931.

CLAIM, AGAINST LOK YUEN

CAFE FAILS.

PUBLIC, EXAMINATION OF BUILDING CONTRACTOR..

Generally, the methods of dis was necessary for the British mer BANKRUPTCY COURT tribution in Chirp are simild, chant to get closer to his Chinese whether the distributor is a Br client, and to understand even tish. Continential or Japances better than he did at present, the firm, though it is probable that our Oriental point of view, Sic Ernest Japanese friends can get a little concluded by saying that his con- closer than we can to the Chines fident hope was that British in- by reason of the fact that both dustry would face up to the efforts have the Oriental point of view, that had to be made, and the re- But too much stress cannot be laid organisation that had to be accorn- plished. In his opinion very much on that, having regard to the pre-better limes lay ahead, both for Chung Chiu Kee, a building valence of anti-Japanese feeling Britain and for the Ear Last. (Ap-contractor of 10, Ship Street, was in China, as illustrated by ever plause.) He was sure that Britain publicly examined by the Official was on the road to regain the place. recurring anti-Japanese boycotts that she should hold in the trade Receiver (Ar. E. L Agassiz) at These only serve to emphasize the of the world, and in the time in the Bankruptcy Court sterday insistence of the Chinese upon mediately ahead of us ho know that fore Mr. Justice Wood.

the Home country could rely on Debtor said that he was 52 years buying in the cheapest market, for the help and co-operation of every the distribution of Japanese goods one out here. (Applause.)

old, and, besides his wife, he had. is novor greatly hampered by these

thro: sons, who were still attend- ing school. He had been in the boycotte.

Colony for more than 30 years, ago with a capital of about $1,000.

་“་;

it was eighteen months ago. effect on the higher priced British

THE GUESTS.

to 830,000 which debts wore still In 1925 debtor owed about 820,000

unpaid and his liabilities it pro- sant amounted to 833,0000. His

The following members of the British Economic Mission to the Far East were present: Sir Ernest ·| Thompson, J.P. (Chairman), Sir Thomas Allen, Mr. James Bell, J.P., Mr. William A. Crowther, J.P.,. Lt.- Cal: Reginald Moream, C.B.E., Mr. Louis Beale, O.BE. Mr. Josephata in 1928 amounted to about

8,000. This money, debtoranid Wild, Mr. F. W. Birchenough, J.P.,

ho used in order to make a profit 201, Mr. George Green, Mr. Arthur make a profit of about 34,000 an Mr. A. Duxbury, Mr. J. 17 Edmond,

in Inter years. In fact he did Reiss, J.P., Dr. S. H. C. Briggs,

one contract, but he lost money Mr. T. St. Quintin Hill, O.B.E.

en other contracts. His only asset Mr. N. A. Guttery, Mr. F. A. Barnes,

at the present time was a sum of $2,000 which was the balance due on a contract for building houses. at Shaukiwan for Chau Yue Tong

but he lost 83,000 on the work

!

and the British Members of the this connection, more particularly goods has been particularly sever. Peiping, the Hon. Mr. C. Gordon far in excess of his estimated

It is perhaps fortunate, in a sense, that the visit of the Bri- tish Economic Mission to Chinn coincides with a period of peculiar. difficulty in the Chin market Our visitors have acra things at their worst at least, we pil de outly hope (here, here). During their sojourn in the East they have seen and appreciated the, dis astrous results of the unprecedent ed fall in silver in the last three

Other guests invited were the months, which has had the effect Colonial Secretary (Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., C.BE), the CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH.

of practically stopping all busi Director of Public Works (Mr. H. ness exceps in absoluto necessities.T. Creasy, C.B.E.), Vice-Chancellor The Chairman (the Hon. Mr. C.

Error in Estimates, The purchasing power of silver han of the University (Sir Wm. Hornell, Gordon Mackie) said :-Gentlemen,

Debtor attributed his failure C.I.E.), Mr. H. J. Brett, C.M.G..

to on behalf of the Hong Kong cessity, not only to secure a ron fallen to less than one-half what Commercial Scoretary of HH. low tendering on his contracts_in The Legation, and Mr. D. AClarke, the hope of making, small profita, Secretary, to the British Minister, but the cost of materiale had risen Mackie (Chairman) Mr. W. H. Official Receiver I put it to you In addition, members of the Mis Adler, Mr. S. A. Arthur, Mr. Frank that you purposely made low ton- sion will have been able to gauge Austin, Mr. James H. Backhouse, dore in order to keep your credi the effect upon certain important Mr. DC. F. Belllimy, Mr. A. C. I. price was low I thought I would

Mr. R.-T. Barrett, Mr. W. H., Bali, tors, quiet-No, although articles of British expert trade Bowker, Mr. T. H. d. Brayfield, make some amali profit. natably, woollon textiles-of the, Allan Cameron, Mr. P. S. Cas- Debtor added, that bo now exceedingly high duties impos H. Crapnell, Mr. N. V. A. Grouployment, in which case he would aidy, Mr. Chau Yue Teng,. Mr. F. hopes of getting remunerative em. nd bỷ the China Tariff ns from the eher, Mr. N. M. Currie, Mr. H. B. be willing to pay the creditors 1st January this year.

Dawbiggin, Mr. W. A. Dowley, anything remaining after provid Mr. H. Dreyer, Mr. G. B. Dunnett, ing for family expenses, Mr. A. H. Ferguson, Mr. W. N. His Lordship adjourned the Fleming, Mr. Fung Kong Un, Mr.public examination, directing that Fleming, Mr. W G. Goggin, Mr. the creditore prepent, who had not H. M. Gregory, Mr. F. C. Hall, proved their chaims, should do so Mr. R. Hancock, Mr. W. J. Hansen, before they could be heard when Mr. J. Harrop, Mr. F. G. Herridge, debtor's case is again before the Mr. Ho Kwong, Mr. Ho Leung, the Court. Hon. Mr. 3, Owen Hughes, Mr. M. A Johnson, Mr. M. T. Johnson, Mr. J Kotwall, Mr. Y. T King, B. J. Lason, Mr. Faul Lauder, Mr. Mr. H. M. Kew Mr. S. Lack, Mr. B. Lander Lewis, Mr. C. M. Manners, Mr A. E. Martin, Mr. 3. R. Masson; Mr. G. E. Mitchell, Mr. SIR E. THOMPSON'S REPLY.T. A Mitchell, Mr. G. Miskin. Mr.

Hong Kong General Chamber, of Commerce, it is my privilege to extend a hearty welcome here this evening to Sir Ernest Thonipson

and the members of the British

Economic Mission to the Far East (applause). I trust they may find their stay pleasant and helpful to wards the object they have in view, namely, the furtherance of British trade in China.

When Mr. Archibald Паве, formerly Commercial Attaché at Shanghai, addressed the members of the Manchester, Chamber of Commerce in in17, he then advocat ed the appointment of a Commis sión to visit China and Japan-to study the requirements of the market. As events have, turned nut, it is unfortunate that his advice was not acted upon at an carller date. It would have been an easier proposition to tackle then than it is to-day, when such heavy inroade have been made into our trade. We, on this side,

with regard to cotten textiles, I will quale some remarks which wero published in the Annual Ite, port of the local Chamber of Com

meris for the year 1929-

"It de sincerely to be hoped that the formation of Combines now proceeding in the spinning and weaving sections of Lanca- shire will prove more effective than the efforts of individuals.

In much bulk trade the disparity between the British prototypo and competitive, counter-type is sufficiently broad to dispel hope of any carly British participation in quantity. To the observant student on this side, it would appear. futile to expect success to attend efforts directed only to the spinning and weaving sec tion of the industry. Mass pro- duction methods in that direction can only be effective granted, clo- sest possible co-operation on masa production lines with Bleachers, Dyers and Printers. Most of the latter have hitherto turned a deaf or to warnings regarding competition and have resolutely refused to counter by price re- duction."

As we all know, the cotton tráde

In conclusion, I sincerely hope that the work of this Mission will lead to a fuller appreciation of the facts, and a realisation of the urgent necessity for the very clo ses co-operation of all to ensure some measure of success in the for midable task before as (applause),

With these remarks, I will na you to drink to the health of "Our Guests."

Sir Ernest Thompson in reply, thanked the hosts of the evening. for their hospitality, and referred to the great cordiality with which the Mission had been received

Petition Dismissed.

my

Was in

Mr. E.. 8. C. Brooks appeared claim against the Lok Yuon Cafe. for the petitioning creditor in a Yeung Wai (Ting, the creditor.. said that he was owed 81,500-on

promissory note on which noth- ing had been paid..

Choi Wang stated in evidence tint he was assistant manager of the cafe which continiaed business

who for years, have been struggling in Lancashire so far as the in everywhere in the Far East. Two Simmons, Mr. A. B. Stewart, Mr.ber 23. A week later Chow sent,a

to retain our hold on the market, ning and (uteaving sections aro and have done our best to explain concerned, has hitherto been carri- the position to our suppliers fed on independently by numerous Home, are indeed glad that His separate organisations, and it is Majesty's Government has at last only in what are termed the finish- taken action. The members of the ing sections that any largo com- Mission may rely upon our hear.binations have been the order of tiest co-operation.

points arose in connection with the visit the Mission; had they come at the right time, and would they do any good? The Manchester Chamber of Commerce had put it on record that had the Mission gone years earlier many of the prob-

K S., Morrison, Mr. L. N. Murphy, Mr. G. C. Moxon, Mr. J. Ormiston, the Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson, Mr. T. E. Ponroe, Mr. G. A. Pentreath, Mr. A. Piercy, Mr. J. A. Plummer, Mr. T. Romsey, Mr. A. B. Raworth, Mr. H. R. Remington, Mr. L. E. N Ryan, T. H. R. Shaw, Mr. W.. F.

R. Stock, Mr. E. Stone, Mr. T. 8. Tim, Mr. G. G. N. Tinson, Mr. G. BB. Thomson, Mr. F. Syme Thom son, Mr. M. St. J. Walsh, Mr. J. P. Warren, Mr. M. A. Williams, Mr. Mr. Wong Oi Kut, Mr. M. F Kpy, ST. Williamson, Mr. 8. H..White, Hon. Secretary, Ching Association and Secretary, Hong Kong. General Chamber of Commerce.

LOCAL BROKER OBTAINS.

DIVORCE.

CARROLL CARROLL AND OGILVIE.

A decrece hizi was granted in lood sharebroker, against his June, 1930 to Mr. W. J. Carrol, wife; Mr. A. G. W. Ogilvie being cited as co-respondent,

yutil Jan, 17, when it was closed down by an officer of the Court, Witness said that Chow Lok Pin was, the managing partner, but he abo onded on the night of Decom

lottar from Canton enclosing the keys of the anfo and saying he was unable to carry on the busi Fuk Chun, his older brother, whe ness. Witness greed that Choi

a small share in the business. was a..detetive in Canton, had missory note, his Lordship b that it was a patsonal note, given by Chow, Lok Pip with the Irm tor. The petition was on the ground that the petitioning creditor had not pror. ed his debt and also that no act of bankruptcy had been proved.

After examination of the pro

Weaving Company's Debis. Loung Sam Yu was the petition- ing creditor against Cheung Shun Weaving Company Mr. H. Wo, trading as the Cheung Shun Armstrong, appeared for the peti tioner; who claimed $2,000 due.on two promissory notes...

lems now facing them would not the day. In the light of that fact have risen. Personally he believed we can review the position in re

that just the same would have been Superior Quality Not Enough,

gard to producing costs vie à vis said if the Mission had come out Since they have made very our principal competitor-Japan, here in 1920. It they had come out thorough investigations during whose cotton textile industry then it would have been before the their tour of Japan and North from raw material to the finished occurrence of political events that had profoundly altered the situa- China in the last few months, article is carried on by more prtion in China, and before the am afraid much of what I have less mas production methods. rapid growth of industrialism in the to day may seem to them an "oft Members of the Mission have seen had come out at a very opportune East. In his opinion the Mission told tale," but I hope that, tikis for themselves in Japan, and tine indeed for examining things any rats, it will not be a "vain the subject needs" ne further in the East on behalf of our own -repetition." On many points we elaboration from me. I would, country, and its industries gould not toller that this was the fourth country. Britain was a alow moving Evidence was given by, the peli- ran hut confirm what the Mission however, liko to say that we here be pushed further than they, intend, occasion on which he had had to has been told elsewhere as to the fully realise the very oxteed to go; but there never was find serious fault with the respon main reason why Britain has mot sive changes, in addition

time when British industry was dent in respect of friendships with mare ready to give careful, con- other men, A concierge in charge retained her proportionate share, great, financial sacrifices, which sideration to anything that the of Ladderdale Club Mansions, in recent years, of world trade would be necessary before Lanca Mission might recommend in order Maida Vale London; stated that with Chinn. It must have become shire, could reasonably hope to

to get it change of methods. Many the Fespondent and, ed-respondent Missions and Royal Commissions had ved, at the club as Mr. and increasingly evident to members compete with Japan for the bulk had presented reports which had Mra Carroll for several weeks of the Mission in the course of business so vital to our trade, il been ignored, and such a report The President of the Divorco their investigations, that China la indeed, she is ever able to do so. Chinh by the Blackburn Chambering the jury, said that he did not ad on business by chartering stona-

was that of the mission sent to Court (Lai Merrivale), in address now satially a price market,

The bistribution Problem. of Commerce in 1804. He hoped think it would take the long toers, running between Hong Kong and that our manufacturers are

bla, audience would read that re decide on the evidence which fed and Ewang Chow, Wan, was in- It has often been Being beaten continually by Con-

port. It would help them to uller. been given In his opinion, the nestigated on a petition filed by. pated that the distribution meatand the report of the present respondent was an unscrupulous Laung Sek Hing, who was repre tinental, United States, Japanese thods of

Commission when it was issued, woman, and the co-respondent had Tobacco and and Chinese competitors, on

companies might be followed lems that were facing British Trade, tichel's name.

and to get behind some of the prob made a shameful use of the peti price. I do not propose to elabor. D ate this point at the present mo in regard to sextiles, but it must and especially the cotton trade in The Lucco was recently made

absulüter geg

mont, because members of the Mis

to

suggest

Oil

be borne in mind that commoditics suoli as cigarettes or oil, in rela

slot are interviewing representatively small standardiped, units,

China to-day, M

The Chairman bad, referred to que lo agreed that much dibalgana. amalgamations in the cotton

tives of various local firms who, lend themselves more readily to tion would have to take place; and have no doubt, give them chapter up-country distribution, price-fix and verse for the statement in roing and stocking, than do textiles,

gard to many kinds of manufac tured goods, engineering products,

etc.

stated that his liabilities amounted Cheung Shun Wo. the debtor,

to..$24,000, Besides a sum of 81,450 roalised; by the sale, of his goods by auction, the only other esot was a sum of 3300 due to the firm.

A receiving order was made, - Navigation Firm'i Faluri.

Navigation Company, which earri

The affairs of the Hop Cheong

sented by Mr. F. OE Rendall.

Loung sted in evidence that khe was maneger of a bikery in Canton and spent most of his time in Canton He was a creditor to the extent of 810,000.

PROBATE GRANTED.

Ab EWING LEAVES A

1/7

Tam Tak San, assistant mon ngor of the debtör firini, said that.| it might be the Mission's duty to

landlord a few days ago on a dis the premises were seized by the make suggestions in that direction. which very greatly in character, Reorganisation, would mean grest

BIG ESTATE..

trees, warrant for $140. The goods range of quality and design, and sacrifices in that trade, but he be

seited would fetch about 850, but are handled by many manufactures loved that these sacrifices would be Hong Kong citate worth $38,100 there: myre, book debts amounting and merchants, on a keenly pom made at Home, by all sectiqut of and net personalty outside thote about 83,000. About 90. per petitive basis. Textiles cannot be those concerned. He believed that Colony &mounting to £53,079 06.-7d. cent of the book debts could be Our traditional alogan in regard transferred to up-country points the Home industry would make the was left by Mr Archibald Or collected. The liabilities amount- to world trade hae boon the sup-by foreign importers anything like changes necessary for England towing, formerly of the Chnia Ined to about $4,000, erior quality of British manufac o cheaply as by Chinese, who to compete in the Chinese market, and Mission; who died at Rose In reply to the Official Receiver, tures, but unfortunately, in the day assume the risks of orodit, up- But it was not only at Home that ands West End, Southampton, witness stated that book debts were

country in which we country currencies and Áraumst i Amerikers would hen to be mad England on Mar 11. 10.32 so deeply interested, with ja alltidont possibilities; of Thore out here on would have to probate of the will and thros debtors werd in, the Colony.

e of the The ATT LID-copy-offed, and he added that all the firm's series of misfortunes, political and brigandage and piracy); for a mar- task of distribution

therwise, har so reduced the pur- gin at which no individual Euro-bear their share in those sacrifices, codicils have been granted to Br. Mr. Agassiz asked that a note chasing power of the people, as to pean merchant, or special market. The present system of Britial trade. J. Gilmore, banker, who is at make price now the primary coning organisation, would care to would not stand in the form in borney for the executors. The will sideration rather than quality, consider the business.

which it had been established. It contains family bequests.

mud to the extant, he hân mention,

of this statemoilt be made on the record, and his Lordship, there after made a receiving order.

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