May 13, 1896.]
for want of its natural extension, and though the Home Government have just voted 80,000,000 francs for expenditure on public works, the Governor-General seems in no hurry to lay out the money, and it is more than likely that it will be frittered away without making any appreciable improve- ment in the condition of the colony. There seems an utter want of system in the efforts of our Gallic friends, and, thrifty as they naturally are, the expenditure yields the scautiest of returns. This is proved by results. We believe that one main reason for this failure to make Tonkin prosperous is the tariff. It has checked if not abso- lutely killed foreign trade, and it has not promoted French trade. Protection withers not only the thing it is directed against but it blights the institution it was intended to foster. How otherwise is it that only one steamer arrives at Haiphong from France in a month, by no means deeply laden, and returns almost empty? The tariff destroys both import and export trade. Even articles of French manufacture do not find their way into the country absolutely free, for although not subjected to import duty they have to pay stiff landing charges at Hai- phong, which are again repeated at Hanoi, after the goods have paid a heavy freight up river,
Moreover, French manufac- turers will not readily send their goods to the market, and, hence it comes to pass that many branches of import trade are altogether neglected. The native produce | is also subjected to heavy taxation, not even a cargo of firewood, we believe, escaping the
Customs officers.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
399
they can prevent others sharing the advan- famines, and in any case the general or tages they coveted for themselves, If extensive substitution of the water carriage France could enter into a treaty of re- system for the bucket system would not, we ciprocity with Great Britain she would think, have been endorsed by the Sanitary. surely find her advantage commercially Board, certainly not by the Board as it while there is no doubt her colonies would existed before the resignation of the majority before long commence a new era of un-of the unofficial members. accustomed prosperity, and even in course of time her traders might learn that there was something better to be learned than protection.
DR. CLARK ON THE HEALTH OF THE COLONY.
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With regard to the plague, Dr. ATKINSON complains that Dr. CLARK's report contains controversial matter and that mention of Dr. Lowsox's name is unwarrantably in- troduced. The latter point really resolves itself into one of taste. It would have been quite possible for Dr. CLARK to have con- troverted the views to which he is opposed A variety of interesting topies are without introducing the name of their touched upon in the report presented to expounder, but, on the other hand, to draw the Sanitary Board by Dr. CLARK in his direct attention to Dr. Lowson's report capacity as Medical Officer of Health.gives point and definiteness to the discussion, Taking those in sequence, the first point which is entirely of a scientific nature and that arrests attention is the extraordinary has, or ought to have, no personal element waste of life that goes on in consequence or in it. As to the general question of the the ignorance of medical science on the introduction of controversial matter into part of the Chinese and the barbarous annual reports, as a rule the practice is practices in which they indulge, such as the one to be deprecated, but every rule has its cauterization of the bodies of newly born exceptions, and in the present instance infants. So strongly has this aspect of the Dr. CLARK is to be thanked for his ́inte- death rate impressed Dr. CLARK that he resting remarks on the plague. The means recommends the Board to represent to by which the disease is conveyed is an un- H.E. the Governor the desirability of decided point, but one of great importance, taking active steps in the direction of and any information or intelligent argu- the education of the Chinese in Westernment on the subject is to be welcomed, medicine, such as the endowment of the whether it be embodied in an annual report. College of Medicine. We hope the recom- or given in some other form. Without ex- mendation will be acted upon, for in this pressing any opinion upon the principal point matter the Clovernment seems to be neglect- ¦ in dispute, namely, whether plague infection jing a plain duty. It is time the task of his disseminated chiefly by the enranations ducating othe Chinese community to more from the breath and skin or by the excreta, correct idens upon the treatment if the sick | everyone will agree that breathing the and the preservation of health seems in al-atmosphere of premises which are filthy, ill- most impossible one, but it is one that has ventilated, overcrowded, and dark must be to be undertaken and a beginning can hest
a fruitful source of disease, and that the be nude by assisting the College of attention of the Bond should be directed to Medicine for Chinese in the excellent work the speedy improvement of the general it is performing. We boast of the benefits sanitary condition of the colony, the pro- British rule confers upon native races, þof its
hibition of back-to-back houses, the open- elevating an enlightening influence, and it
ing out of narrow lanes and passages at is the duty of the Government of this full present gecluded by filthy hoardings, awn- colony, so far as its means allow, to elevate
ings, and other coverings, the provision of and enlighten the Chinese under its juris
an abundant supply of pure water, and diction pud, to place within their feuch the prevention of that overcrowding which reasonable educational facilities, more espe has unhappily been permitted to continue cially in a branch of science which is to then "unchecked for so many years past,' and to us the most important, mamely, that tary improvement is one of the main factors of medicine,
that must determine the future prosperity of the colony, for unless the plague can be completely rooted out and its recurrence prevented trade and property must suffer severely,
H“
Sani-
THE CHINESE IMPORT TARIFF
Aud yet, while thus neglecting or misusing the markets they already possess, the French are continually sighing after new domains to exploit. They would fain bring Yunnan and Szechuen under the tricolour, but for what end it is difficult to conceive unless it might be to overrun those provinces with an army of officials anil to close them to the commerce of other nations. It is matter for most serious regret that the French, la grande nation, as they are fond of styling themselves, should have such wholly un- practical views of their mission in the world, In the field of science Frenchmen can hold their own with any nation; they have also produced warriors, statesmen, poets, drama tists, musicians, &c., who have done in- | mortal honour to their country; but they do Passing to another subject, it will def not, probably on account of some defect in noted that Dr. CLARK approves of the exiŝi- | character-partly due to the absence of the ing system of conservancy, deprecates the necessity for emigration--make good | introduction of water closets, and does not colonisers. It is a pity the French people agree with the theory that latrines are the do not recognise this and cease spending vast | principal means of conveying the plague sums in expeditions to out-of-the-way places infection. For a city such as Victoria, with
ÅND TRANSIT PASSES. which will never be French save in name, and a tropical climate and a limited water sup- which will prove an ever-growing drain upon ply, "Dr. CLARK says our present system One of the objects of La HusG-CHANG'S the resources of a wealthy but over-taxed appears a perfect one. In the Public Works visit to Europe is the obtaining of an in- country. France is a great sea power, but Department, we believe we are correct in crease of five to eight per cent, on the ad her merchant navy by no means keeps pace saying, a preference has been entertained; calorem import duties at the treaty ports. with her warships. It is not through any for the water carriage system and it was The varions Chambers of Commerce and the want of energy in seeking new outlets for desired that when the new drainage | China Association will have to give their trade. France owns Algeria, and her was completed that system should be attention to this matter and not allow any sphere of influence in Africa covers vast applied, if not to the whole colony, at least agreement to be made without due considera- regions, in which, however, there is little to all European houses; but Dr. CLARK is¦tion and consultation with those whose in- commercial intercourse with the Republic. of opinion that the Board must zealously terests are primarily affected. In the arrange- ́ In Eastern Asia she has for the past quarter guard its powers of preventing the intro-ment of the new Japanese tariff the Foreign of a century laboured to build up a second | duction of Water closets and of the water Office and Board of Trade relied solely on India, but with only the most slender carriage system of the disposal of expreta, their own judginent and imperfect know- measure of success. Unfortunately other for there can be no question than se vors, ledge and grave mistakes were made. It nations cannot regard French efforts at containing such matter, may play a most is important that the same course should empire building with the same sympathy important part in the dissemination | both ; not he followed in any rearrangement that they might otherwise, because wherever of typhoid fever and of diphtheria. The of the Chinese tariff that may take place, they succeed in effecting a lodgment there opinions of the Public Works Deport-and, to guard against it, the Chambers they at once introduce a protective tarif to nient in favour of the water carriage of Commerce and the China Association shut out competition and secure the field for system have possibly undergone some modi-' would do well to place their views before themselves. The effort is seldom successful, tication since it has been so painfully, Lord SALISHERY without loss of time. The and sometimes trule is killed, but the demonstrated that the Tytam reservoir has Chinese will have no difficulty in making French are seemingly content so long as not placed us above the danger of water out a good prima facie case for an increase
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