1936-02-26 — Page 11

BRITISH EMPIRE & CHINA

TRADE FAIR PROJECT

Statement Of Hong Kong Opinion

We have received the following from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce for publica- tion.

present low exchange values which have, of course, increased prices of imported goods, and the uncer- tainty of future exchange condi- tions are, to our minds, important arguments against the holding of a Fair to propagate imported com- modiles.

to

creased then profus suffer, either elrcumstance leaving the original supplier with less money allocate for advertising, particu- larly that of a stunt of a specula- tive nature in which category falls a Trade Fair.

A project for a British Empire and China Trade Fair, suggested by private promoters who have re- ceived a promise of a free site and other support from the Govern-į Increased prices mean reduced ment of Hong Kong, was adver-turnover, and if prices are not in- tised in Australia and New Zealand during 1935, but was postponed on account of lack of adequate sup- port both in the two Dominions and in Hong Kong, and because of international exchange uncertain- Lies at that time. Two Fairs cr- ganised by local committees had: been held in 1932 and 1933, but a canvass of Arms after the second one elicited the information that lew exhibitors considered that they had derived any benefit.

in

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1936.

GORDON SHOE

SHOP

An application by the Gordon Shoe Shop, Queen's Road Central for confirmation of an application for the reduction of capital was made before Mr. Justice R. E Lindsel. Acting Chief Justice, et the Supreme Court yesterday morning.

WEDDING BELLS SAMPAN THIEVES

Wilson-Hill

1

The Union Church, Kennedy Road was the scene of a very pretty wedding yesterday

when Miss Margaret Goudle Wilson became the bride of Mr. George Hill of Messrs Jardine, Matheson and Company, Ltd. The Rev. K. Mac- Mr. R. H. Cole, of G. K., Hakenzie Dow performed the cere Brutton & Co.. instructed Mr. Leomany. D'Almada for the petitioner.

Counsel said that facts were set out in the petition and he would formally ask for the confirmation of the "Court.

Bis Lordship made an order in the terms of the notice of motion. The petition applied for a re duction of capital from $250.000 divided into 500 snares of

$500 each, to $125,000 to be divided into 500 shares of $250 each.

VACCIDENTS!

Question (B)-We are not favour of participation, but there Knocked down by car No. 71 in is the possibility that the activities Queen's Road East, Chan Chi-

The bride, who only arrived in the Colony last Wednesday with her father, is the only daughter of Me, William Wilson and of the late Mrs. Wilson, of Langside Glasgow. The bridegroom is a well-known local footballer and this

year travelled as Hong Kong Interport team to A reserve with the

the Combined Chinese team and Shanghai where he played against

the Korean side. He played in the First Division of the Churches League in Glasgow and from 1928 to 1930, played for the Battlefield Football Club

Scottish Amateur League. In 1931, he

CHARGED

Fishermen Jump Into Sea

Two shermen, Lam Yee, 48, and Wong Ki, 35, were charged before Mr. Macfadyen at the Kowloon Magistracy yesterday morning with the theft of a sampan belonging to Chun King, 37, fisherman, from the waterfront at Cheungshawan on February 21, and with unlaw- ful possession of nine pieces of ron. Both defendants denied the charges and were remanded untu 2.30 p.m. to-day.

in

Second defendant was further charged with returning from! banishment, He was alleged to have been banished for ten years on February 5, 1929.

Detective-Sergeant Forrest, outlining the case, stated that about 10.45 p.m. on February 21. the defendants were seen by an Indian watchman acting suspl- joined the Dunoon Milton Rovers, clously on a sampan a Second Division team participa-Wing On Shing shipyard.

shouted to them and blew a police While at Home he whistle and both the defendants

प

the

ed the Kowloon Football Club in 1931, he was played i several positions. In 1930, he joined the

water!

gear the Ee

The watchman and a foki of the

of competitors, upon whom pres-sang received injuries, and wasting in the West of Scotland Ama- sure might be brought to bear by sent to the Government Civil Hos-teur League. their Principals at Home, would plial for treatment. oblige us to participate in order to Alighting from a tramcar while played at back, but when he join-immediately jumped into the avoid possible loss of prestige, and it was in motion in Canal Road agalas: our views as to the value | East, a Chinese, aged, about 30, of such a Fair. "This is an aspect received severe head injuries and Hong Kong Football Club, x news-

of the present method of organi was sent to hospital. sation to which we take strong exception, although our answer to Question (C) will show that we have little faith in this type of publicly-in the South China or China markets-as a means of furthering trade, whether or- ganised privately or otherwise.

As the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce has ob- served in recent weeks ex- tensive publicity in the papers of Great Britain aim- ing at a revival of the project al- though no steps have been taken in Hong Kong to ascertain current local opinion on the subject), ine Chamber, on February 8. 1986, cir- cularised the exhibitors in the tw previous. Fairs, and the Hong Kong merchant firms generally. asking Them the following questions:--

(A) Have circumstances changed

to such an extent since last June as to warrant the hold, ing of a Fair in the winter of 1938/377 B) Would your

frm parti- clpate? Ici Do you regard a Trade Fair in Hong Kong as an effec- tive means of developing ex- por: and import trade?

DETAILED STATEMENT The following is a detailed state- ment of the results of the can-

vas

Number of Circulars issued 114 Number of Replies

Question "A".

'Negative (58).

Affirmative (8),

Qualified Affirmative (1) No Opinion Expressed (8).

Question "B"

Would not Participate (41), Would. Participate (4*).

75

NOT A SUITABLE MEDIUM Question (C).-We are firmly of the opinion that a Trade Fair is not, in China, a suitable medium of propaganda, Dor an effective means of prompting or developing business. It is Cur experience

that to retain the interest of the Chinese, even in a line already well established, the most persis- ton. and continuous contact work is necessary, this, of course, in volving

the maintenance of a

permanent staff on the spot. The actual process of introducing and establishing a new iine calls for even more intensive measures, and in either of these cases we fall to see what benefit would be derived from a Fair of a very temporary

nature.

Н

Ma Hok, aged 16, youth, was sent to the Kowloon, Hospita suffering from injuries received as a result of, being knocked down by lorry 3659 on Temple Street. Yau- mati district.

Resulting from a fall into nullah at the Happy Valley Race- course, Chan Yuen was sent to the Government Civil Hospital for treatment.

FRENCH ADMIRAL IN PORT

The French cruiser Lamotte- Piquet is arriving in Hong Kong from Haiphong to-day for a stay of five days before proceeding north Vice-Admiral J. P. Esteva, C-in-C. of the French Navy 1 the Far East, will be aboard. The Lamotte-Piquet, replaces the cruiser Primuguet as the fagship. The French Consul-General and Madame Leurquie are giving El reception in honour of the admiral at 1s Peak Road on February 27 from 8 to 11 pm.

The Chinese trader, we believe, Interest himself only in those goods for which there 13 2 definite demand on the part of the. ∙consumer, and is therefore to would do little or nothing to over-

Would Participate in a generally the latter that sales appeals have supported Fáir (47).

to be made. We take it That a Make support conditional

Trade Fair such as that proposed on local com-

is intended primarily for the cdl- ication of the Chinese business reluctantly man and, as stated, it is our view

Fair being run by a

mitree (6)

Would Participate

(8).

Might Participate (subject various qualifications) (11).

Four Hong Kong Chinese tac- tories. -

that very few would be sufficient toly interested to attend. This ap- plies in an even greator degree to the consumer who, in our experi- ence, has very little, if any, in- terest in the origin of the goods

↑ Four large British . concerns marketing a special product, who, however, add that they do not ex- pect a derive benefit from a Fair,

Question "C",

Negative (35), I

Affirmative (20). Qualified Affirmative (14). No Opinion Expressed (5). The firms which replied to the circular, included at the principal merchant firms holding important British agencies, but none of them expressed willingness to support the present profeet, The following are typical comments elaborating the replies received;

We do not believe that China is ripe for a Trade Fair on the lines suggested. When the country is ready, the proper place to hold an exhibition would be in China where all exhibits would be priced in local currency, with duty and all other charges included. Conditions in China are still very different from those pertaining in European countries, and it would be impossi- ble for exhibitors at a Fair to en-

would be taken up and paid for.

THE DIFFICULTY

he

buys, and in any case will always walt until they are brought to his notice. We cannot imagine the average Chinese coming any distance to attend a Trade Fair, and although it reasonable to assume that people within casy reach, Le, the Hong Kong people and possibly numbers from Can- ton, might come along, their main object would probably be to "get something for nothing" in the way of samples, etc., which, if not sold by the recipients, would be used and forgotten.

come.

Opinion is unanimous that the assembling at a Trade Fair in Hong Kong of the typical exports of China will be useless because it is not believed that buyers will ar- tend from countries overseas, Nor is it necessary that they should do so, for the exports of Chiria have been known to merchants in consuming markets for many years, and the extent to which they are purchased depends upon world trade conditions.

ma-

Some runs express the opinion that for certain lines, at a favour- able time, a, Trade Fair might be desirable, but, speaking generally, an equivalent amount of money would be mure effectively spent in other ways. Another suggestion is that much greater benefit would accrue" to chinery by

trade in British

an extension of the plan Federation of British Industries, already adopted by the

namely, sending Chinese engineer- However, assuming for the pur- ing students to study in manufac- pose of argument that the Fair turers works in Great Britain. It would be well attended. certain that unless exhibitors were gineers who have received part of we are is very noticeable that Chinese en- prepared subsequently to follow their training in a country over- distinctly favour the pro- ly, no lasting benefit would ac- ducts of that country and not only crue and the cost of participation purchase the equipment manufac- would have been borne to no pur-tured in that country for their

up contacts closely and consistent- geas

розе. We think it very probable own projectà but also strongly re- that the firms being approached commend it to their friends, con- in Great Britain, who might feel hections and employers in all parts inclined to support the scheme, of China.

have not given due consideration 1

..

In some newspapers in- Great

ter into negotiations of any magní-

to this aspect, and they are very Britain the statement has appear- tude without most searching enkely looking on the Hong Konged that the projected Fair has the quiry as to whom they were deal-Fair in the light of their Ing with and without adequate

ex-support. of, or is sponsored by, "the guarantees that any goods ordered perience of similar events held in Hong Kong. Chamber of

Com- the United Kingdom or perhaps in merce." There are two Chambers, other British territories where Bri- of Commerce in Hong Kong-on" tish influence is stronger and more the Hong Kong General Chambé It is not so much the difficulty general than it can be said to be of Commerce which embrace in selling as the difficulty in ob- in South Chins, Probably they do firms of all nationalities but has taining payment which makes not fully realise the entrepot na- predominantly British member- business with China so unsatisfacture of this port nor its compara- ahip: the other is the Chinese tory to-day.

tive unimportance in size and General Chamber of Commerce, share of actual business vis-a-vis The latter has given the promoters South China as a whole.

a letter wishing them well in their enterprise; this Chamber has taken the view that, as an international It is argued by many that pre-Chamber, it cannot advise its Question (A)-In our opinion, gent low exchange values, high members on the subject. In res- the expenditure of money on par-

duties and Provincial taxes, have ponse to numerous requests, the ticipation in a Fair would be even increased the prices of imported Chamber has collected the local less justifiable this year than it goods and form an obstacle to ex- opinions the gist of which is set might have been in June last. The paralon of trade which a Fair forth above.

A firm with a large up-country organisation for marketing an im- ported product in general demand writes, the following memoran- dum:

*

EXCHANGE VALUES

Entering the Church on the arm of her father, the bride looked charming in a white satin gown with beaded embroidery, full train, long tulle veil and "Jullet" cap of seed pearls. She carried a sheaf of pink gladioll.

Mrs. W. W. Tweedie, as Matron of Honour, wore a grey dress inter- woven with silver thread, set off with a grey picture hat. Her bouquet was of pink sweet peas.

Mr. B. I. Bickford was best man. Appropriate music was rendered on the organ by Mr. Longyear.

A reception followed the church. ceremony at the Hong Kong Hotel where friends of the couple

to toast gathered

their future happinessS.

Later they left for the honey- moon

which is being spent

shipyard' went into the water and arrested second defendant. During that time the other man Swam out into deeper water, but a sam- pan was procured by the watch- man and he went out and brought him back.

The following morning about 10 a.m. a report was made by the complainant at the Shamshuipo Police Station that his sampan was missing. First defendant was in hospital for two days suffering from immersion.

Both defendants denied the charge, of stealing the sampan and alleged that they had dredged the iron bars from the harbour.

"Sunnyste. Cheung Chau On leaving, Mrs. Hill wore a two-plece. sult in belge with a Kolinsky collar at and brown hat.

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