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HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY, APRIL 20, 1931.

THE CHINA ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN LONDON.

FALL IN SILVER, "EXTRALITY" AND “CHANGING CONDITIONS.”.

Mr. S. F. Mayera (Vice-chairman, of the Association) occupied the chair, and, amongst others, the following were piæsent!-

extraterritoriality. We know from steps against it. It is clear. I the public statements of Chinese think, that when you find these Ministers that the Nationalist conditions arising your Banest Party desires an early and cum-policy is to endeavour as far as pete change in the legal status you can to swim with the stron, of all foreignera in China and the and not against it. In my view the abrogation of rights of jurisdiction policy which Great Britain should over their respective nationals in adopt under present conditions is China which are still-held under to endeavour as far as she can to

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the provisions of earlier treaties by Beaure goodwill and respect by His Majesty's Government and meeting as far as possible those The annual general meeting of the to sign the report, and I wish to

desires based on the spirit of on- China Association was held at the ninke expression of thanks to mem-other Governments. P., and O. Offices, 199, Leadenhallbera who have contributed to its We know that there have been tionalism which are being put for street, London, E.C., on Tuesday, contents, and of recognition to Mr.'

very great changes in conditions ward, because I am sure if through. March 24, 1931...

Gull for its compilation.

since those treaties were made out the negotiations which are now changes not only in China but in taking place-difficult and delicato international thought upon such as they must be we can preserve a subject, and we know that pro-have preserved something which the goodwill of Chinn, we shall gress has been made in China in the codification of aws and the may be of incatumaine, value to us organisation of modern law courts, in the future. We should natural. At the same time there is ampley all like to see the existing posi- evidence to show that the indepen. tion preserved, if not indefinitely, at least for as long as possible, kut influence is not yet assured, and we can do no more than make such that the Chinese system of taxation representations as occur to us to ander which British subjects would the authorities that are conducting como by the abrogation of extra these negotiations, in the hope, a territorial rights is still immature hope which I think is not unjusti- and full of irregularities More. fiable, that they will both appreci- over, although that vast country ate them and recognise them as far shows signs of settling down, there as they possibly can.

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is. still ittle, security for life or property in wide regions of it.

Aro we not entitled, therefore,

It is not only the sapping of a decent ideal which I deplore, but also the lack of foresight and busi. a ness acumen which has now been displayed. May I read a very short" extract from the “British Chamber of Commerce Journal," published in Shanghai in Decem- bor, 1924

"In the Boxer Indemnity wo have an opportunity of contri- buting to the thought of China, not merely to her commercial as- yote and our OW. And the words 'not merely' are used, not in any disparaging sense but in the sense that the thought of a country transends and ineludes its commercial activition

"The Boxer Indemnity gives us an opportunity of incerasing China's knowledge, not only of our industrial meâns,and ends, but of our politieal means and ends also, and in the long run the British taxpayer in likely to derive far more advantage from such increase than Croni the building of a railway, or from the opening of any other specifio channel for the export of Bai- tish goods."

And now may I have leave to say that I am sorry that neither in, the annual report, nor in the Chairman's speech, is to he found

any note of regret for this huck- storing upshot of a good idea.

As regards, the accounts for the past year, you will see that they show a debit balance of £69, sub- itct to anything our Hon. Trea Mr. A. M. Townsend, Sir James aurer may have, and I can only H. Stewart Lockhart, K.C.M.G., reiterate the observations expressed Mr. V. E. Loveson, Mr. H. W last year by Mr. Dodwell that per. Looker, Mr. K. W.Mounsey, Mr.haps those who can see their way P. Fowler, Mr. O. M. Green, Sir to make an dddition to the ordin.dence of those courte from outside Harry H. Fox., K.B.E., C.M.G.,ary subscription will do so, as it Mr. H. W. Bird, Mr. H. G. is a matter of grave anxiety to Simms, Mr. F. S. Clark, Mr. Leigh work with a debit balance. Garner, “Mr. E. A. Stanton, Mr.

Taken as 11

whoic, the report H. A. J. Macray, Mr. J. R.reflects the view, which I think Michael, Mr J. 8. Bruce, Mr. F. will moet with general concurrence, Salinger, Commercial Union As that there has been a notable im. sociation representative, Lieut.provement in the position of affairs General Sir Georgo Macdonogh, in China during the past year so

There are, it seems to me, two G.B.E., K.C.B., R.C.M.G.; Dr. far as her domestie polities are

points we should endeavour to so-

The Chairman: Before I put the Oswald Marriott, Mr. Joseph Ni concerned. The cessation of civil

cure as regards any negotiations motion to the meeting, I should aim, Mr. E. R. Morriss, Mr. J. S. Iwar and the entente between the to regard any fundamental change which are now being carried on. One like to observe, with reference to. flaskell, Mr. H. J. Stockton, Mr. Government and Marshal Chang in the legal status of our fellow is, whatever arrangements are ar what Mr. Loveson has said, that H. H. Brown, Mr. F. Anderson, Hauch-liang are evidences of this countrymen in China and of their rived at, wo should not be put in it was not considered necessary to Mr. R. H. R. Wade, Mr. W. P. improvement. The basis upon banks and firms, insurance com any worse position than any other maks more than a reference, for Ker, C.M.G., Mr. P. Pechles, Ma- which the Government can consoli.panies and shipping companies in nation interested in China, and the purpose of record, to the pass- jor R. B. Denny, Mr. D. C. Ruther date and extendite authority is that country as prematuro and the other, perhaps more important, age of the Boxer Indemnity Bill.

ja that before any ford, Mr. D. Poyntz Ricketts, Mr. undoubtedly far firmer than it was fraught with danger, not only to.

decisions It was an arrangement made by L. N. Leefe, Mr. H. D. C, Jones,

are taken by the authorities; His Majesty's Government and the a year ago, and, we shall be able our commercial interests but to an Mr. T. H. Whitehead; 'Mr. E. M. to judge more clearly whether this interest, which I imagine must ap.and certainly before any pro Chinese Government. This As- Gull and Mr. H. C. Wilcox, Joint improvement is of a lasting nature pear as valuable to China as it posals are laid before the Chin-sociation took no advisory part in Sreretarice.

by observing the outcome of the does to us, namely, the interest of ese Government our Association's the proceedings, and I think I representatives in China should may fairly say we have no cor CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH.

People's Convention in May, and friendship and mutual respect?

That a mutually satisfactory have the fullest information as to porate view on the subject at nil by result of the Government's The Chairman, after expressing efforts to overcome the disintegrat-molen virendi should be reached the proposals, and the fullest op. thanks to the P. and O. Companying influences of its own extremists in the negotiations which are now portunity of making such repre- for the loan of the room, said and the communist activities in procecaling between His Majesty's sentations to the Government here Government and China is an as-as they may think fit to put for piration which, I feel sure, public ward.

The first business with which we have to deal is the presentation of the annual report and accounts, which have been circulated to you for the statutory period, and I presume we may, as usual, take

them as read. (Agreed.)

In the absence of our Chairman,

Stanley H. Dodwell, whose absenes we all deplore, it has fallen to me

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Central China.

Economically the improvement in the political position has been re fected by the greater measure of control over the railways which is gradually being effected by the Ministry of Railways at Nanking. A beginning has been made in this direction, and it is to be hoped that the misuse of the Government- owned railways by military leaders is drawing to a close.

Developments in other phases of economic activity, such ns the ex- tension of the telephone system of the country and the use of wireless and aviation, afford other evidences of the progressive spirit which prevails in China of to-day.

The resolution for the adoption

of the report was put to the meet- ing, and carried unanimously.

Election of President.

opinion in this country will cor- I know that there is a sub-com:

The Chairman:. I now riso to dially entertain and apport, but mittee of our General Committee, proposes to you the election of the it will draw its own conclusions which is in close touch with the President of the Association for regarding the practical wisdom of authorities here. They have been the ensuing year, and I am sure. China if it sees His Majesty's devoting a great deal of attention I shall have your fullest support Government confronted by pressure to these subjects, and I know they in proposing the re-election of to accept fundamental changes in are taking every step they ean Lieut.-General Sir George Mac. the legal status of British subjects in the interests of those concerned donogh, G.B.E., K.C.B. KC.M.G. in that country before it has fitted in China. We can only wait and (Applause.) Sir George has given itself to exercise jurisdiction and see what eventually emerges from us devoted assistance during the fuller powers of taxation over the the altered conditions, which, at year; his close connection with great foreign communities which the present time, are changing more. affaire in China, and his wido have grown up in its midst,

rapidly than usual, and wait with scope of information from that I now beg to propose the adoption patience for the result, confident at country which comes to him in the of the report and accounts for the last that on our side we have past year. (Applause.)

Changing Conditions in China.

done all we can both to give effect to the Chinese desires for greater Mr. H. W. Looker: Mr. Chair- control of affairs in their own coun. man 'and gentlemen, in the absence try, and to protect the vital in of Mr. Mackay, owing to an un-terests of our own countrymen in

China. fortunate attack of the prevailing epidemic, it falls to me to carry

But in the ordinary pursuit of commerce the past year has been as gloomy for China as for the rest of the world. The fall in silver has not benefited her export trade, for the reason, on the one hand, that the movement of produce hasconding the adoption of the re born obstructed by internal disor. dor and high taxation, and on the

other on account of the lack of

I have much pleasure in second-

the task allotted to him of seing the adoption of the report.

The Chairman: The motion is

port and accounts. I have not had before you, and is open for discus- had of devoting careful thought to the advantage pour Chairman has sien.

what I am going to say, and there.

course of business, makes him of inestimable value to the Commit-

toe, and he has placed that know. ledge and information unreserved- I have pleasure, ly before us. therefore, in proposing his re-elec tion as President of the China A- sociation for the coming year.

Mr. H. W. Bird seconded the re- solution, and it was carried un- animously,

- Election of Chairman.

Mr. F. Anderson:-I have much Mr. W. E. Leveson: Our Chair-pleasure in moving that Mr. Sid-

The Boxer Indemnity,

Idemand for Chinese exports during fore I do not propose to say very man's reforcnco to the Boxer In- noy Mayers be appointed Chairman

this period of world depression.

shoulders of the Chinese Ministries of Finance and Railways.

much.

This restriction of the export

demnity was a brief one, and only of the Association for the ensuing There is no doubt that we have typographical. trade has had its natural corollary

all your. His long and valued experi We shall in a reduction of purchasing porer

all welcomed recently signs of doubtless take his advice and cutenes in China and the interest with and the consequent diminution of what we thought was an improve the offending leaf from our copy which he has been associated since importe. Moreover, the payment of ment in the conditions in China-of the report. He says we shall be his retirement from the East are guld obligations under these condi-

an improvement wo have looked furnished with a cormeted leaf to undoubted qualifications for form. tions of depreciated silver-has-

for for many years without any insert in its place. For my part, ing sound opinious about the ques placed a crushing burden on the thing definite materialising. We shall certainly cut out the in- tions which come before the "Coin- can only express the hope that this correct leaf from my files, and put mittee of this Association from improvement is a genuine one, and it in the fire. And if I am seat time to time. one which will continue to develop a corrected-leaf Ished).put that The Fall in Silver...

in the next few years. There is in the fire, too. No Englishman Whether the difficulty in which

one thing, I think, that must be should be called upon to file auch Ching is involved by the fall in clear to every student of China, a record of the state to which Eng silver, admits of any artificial rd and that is that conditions are lish statesmanship has fallen. medy, is a question which can only changing there very rapidly, and be answered satisfactorily by an

it is not only difficult to keep interchange of authoritative opin-track of them, but it is impossible fone on the subject. So far an OUT to estimato exactly how far those

changes may go.

In his capacity as Vice Chairman, Mr. Mayers has carried on the work of the Clisir in Mr. Dodwell's absence, and I am sure I am ex- preasing the unanimous opinion of Evory active member of the As the Committee when I say that he sociation is aware that five years has carried on that work in an ago an Act of Parliament was passable and chaient way, and it is ed dedicating the indemnity to therefore a great satisfaction to education, that during these five us, and I am sure to all of you,

information goes, the strong desiro of China and of all those foraign interests which are affected by the think you will probably agree years every conceivable device has that Mr. Mayers has consinted to fall in silver, for immediate inter with the that if we look back in been adopted to prevent that Act continue to carry on this work in national consideration of the pro- the history of this country and of from being put into effect, and the difficult times through which blem, in counter balanced, if not the world we shall find that once that, this year, another Act has we are passing. In glancing over outweighed, by the opinion of high this spirit of nationalism has eat boen passed repealing the former the report there is evidenes of Mr. financial authorities that no arti- foot in any country, it is difficult Act and ordering the expenditure Mayers' work in the greater pro- ficial remedy is practicable. Tho to check it, and it is impossible of the indemnity upon railway minence which has been given to dogmatic statement that nothing to stop it. We have only to look equipment to be manufactured in the silver question," and further evidence of his interest in that can be done will not satisfy suf. at what has happened within our Great Britain.. ferers and it is to be hoped that own limits in Trolaud, in Japan," [~~When I recall the speeches-and- question is shown in his visit to their efforts to bring about intor and in Egypt, and see what is writings in favour of the proposala Paris, where lib attended. the meet national consideration of the pro- happening in China and India, to of 1025, and contrast them with the ing of the International Chamben blem and the adoption of some re- realise that once this ory of nu evasive contradictions and signi- of Commerce, and represented the of the last six China Association. I have a fec]- medial measure will not be relaxed, tionalism and national self-dove ficant silences

In the field of foreign relations lopment has seriously arizon, it is months, I find the result nauseating that the sequence of events is

(Continued on Page 4.) the outstanding problem is that of not possible to take any effective ing.

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