424
the report, I will not detain you by referring to them all and will pass over those to which nothing new of interest can at present be added. I understand as regards the Gap rock signal- ling that as a matter of fact two guns have been mounted at the rock and from the 1st January last one has been fired during foggy weather every ten minutes and the result has been most favourably reported on by ship masters. In connection with the reconstruction of the lighthouse I can only hope that some sound opinion will be obtained, and I trust it may yet be found that such a costly work is not necessary, (Applause.) The omissiou pointed out by Messrs. Gibb, Livingston & Co. in the Trade Marks Ordinances has since been rectified by the pass ing in August last by the Legislative Council of an Act to amend the Trade Marks Ordinances Nos. 16 of 1873 and 8 of 1836. You will notice
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
[May 21, 1896.
which are inseparably connected with the sea must naturally excite interest and arrest atten- tion. and the man who succeeds in minimising the risk to life to those who either in have to go, to pursuit of their vocation
sea or
In
who take passage on steamers will merit the blessings of his fellow men. January last those interested in shipping were afforded an opportunity of hearing in this room an interesting address by Admiral Maka- roff, of the Imperial Russian Navy, in which he very clearly described an invention devised by himself for minimising the effects of collision at sea. The importance of such a device as that described by the gallant officer received melan- choly and striking illustration the other day by the terrible loss of life in the collision between two steamers at the mouth of the Woosung River. I am not prepared to say that the Admiral's invention of a false nose (had the striking vessel possessed one) would have averted the effect of the collision, but it would probably have lessened the sad results thereof. I am glad to be able to announce that at the forth- coming third congress of the Chambers of Commerce of the Empire, to be held in London, will be represented by this Chamber Messrs. W. Keswick, E. Mackintosh, and A.
the import and lekin duties into one, after payment of which the goods would be free to any part of the Empire. Then there would be the question of guarantee. We should want some very sufficient guar- antee that this stipulation would be observed. Can this guarantee be obtained? I feel Bure this important matter will receive the careful attention of your new Committee. Another question somewhat closely associated with the foregoing is the much agitated pro- posal for the opening of the West River. The Chamber bas during the past year continued to carefully nurse this important question, and if we are to credit the published statements in London papers the Chinese Government has at last asseufel to the principle, but the negotiations now proceeding are to settle the ports and places to he opened to trade. I trust that Her that your Committer has continued agitating in Majesty's Government will not rest satisfied the matter of the proposed euforced use of the
with the mere opening of the so-called West official telegraph code vocabulary, and it is to be River only, but will ask the Chinese Govern- hoped that some solution satisfactory to all ment to include the North River also parties will be arrived at by the Convention in the inland waters of South China to be fixed to meet during the current year. Closely opened to foreign trade and steamer navigation. connected with this subject is the cost of tele-The negotiatsons in London are in good hands, grams, and you will observe that the present Mr. Curzon, the Under Secretary for Foreign high rates, not only between this colony, India, Affairs, who has undertaken the conduct of and Europe, but also locally with Japan and them, being thoroughly posted in East G. Wood, all of whom have been most inti- the Straits have formed the subject of consider-
Asian questions, and he has the China Associa-mately associated with it in the past, having able correspondence, with the result that the tion to appeal to in any matters of detail. each of them in turn presided over its meetings tariff on local traffic has been reconsidered and Let us hope that we shall see this privilege will posted in all questions affecting the com- and worked on the Committee. They are the rates to countries south of the colony will | accorded before the close of the current year. be reduced at once, and hopes are held out that (Applause.) The preferential duties granted mercial interests of the colony and will no ▲ modification of those between here and Japan
ou juuk-carried cargoes has again been brought doubt be able to speak with authority on may also shortly follow. The community generally to the attention of the Foreign Office, but little any matter connected with the Far East. Al are much indebted to the Acting Agent here progress has been made with this question. It though the inconvenience and loss occasioned and the directors in Faris of the Messageries is to be hoped that it may he included in the by the coolie strike in the spring of last year Maritimes for the prompt and courteous con-
have now ceased to trouble us, the lessons negotiations in reference to transit passes. sideration given to the opinion of the Chamber Early in April last the arrival of Sir Claude taught by that incident ought not to be forgot- against the alteration, carly this your, of the
MacDonald, the hew British Minister to China, ten, and it will be well to be prepared for any hours of departure of the French mail from
on his way through to take up his post at Pek-
recurrence of the labour trouble by making our- noon to ten o'clock a.m. This practically involved ing, afforded the Committee an opportunity for selves more independent of one class of labour. closing our mails the previous night and was
au interchange of views with His Excellency. It is stated by the British Consul at Amoy most inconvenient. Turning to an old and much who, in reply to an address, gave some accept-
that an ample supply of labour can be procured worn question--I may call it a time-honoured able assurances of the progress of negotiations from that port at any time, but the coolies would grievance that of official obstruction to transit
on the various subjects brought to his notice, require a guarantee of permanent employment, passes in South China. I am glad to say that and left a pleasant impression on our minds and would also demand assurance of protection Amoy, we have at least advanced a point. Wo have. that he had our commercial interests thoroughly from incensed Cantonese labourers. through the action of the officials at Wuchow-
at heart. As you are aware, from the published however, is not the only place from which a fa this spring in the case of Mr. John Andrew, correspondence, the Government recently ad labour supply can be procured. I imagine that obtained incontrovertible proof of the manner
dressed a letter to the Chamber inquiring whit is obtainable both from India and Japan. in which the treaty stipulations with regard to ther its opinion on the subject of the Sanitary Cem to matters personally connected with trade under transit pass are set at nought in Board remains the same as that expressed | is Chauler. I have to record the return of South China. Hitherto, while the fact of official hostility to this privilege was notorious. it had been difficult to furnish proof; but the conduct of the Prefect of Wuchow in refusing to reassure the native merchants by issuing a proclamation sanctioning the purchase of Mr. Andrew's cargo, and, when at length compelled to issue such proclamation, rendering it nagatory by stating that the duty would be levied on the goods after their transference to the buyer, afforded convincing evidence of their determination to render the treaty a dead letter. The Acting British Cousul at Canton took up the case vigorously, and this Chamber, ou be coming acquainted with the facts. pressed the matter on the attention of the Foreign Minister and of H.B.M's Chargé d'Affaires Peking, both by telegram and by letter, with
at
|
the result that careful consideration has been promised, and We are assured that Her Majesty's Government are pressing the Chinese Government to carry out the spirit of their treaty obligations in regard to the transit pass system. With this assurance from Lord Salisbury we must for the present rest satisfied. Within the last few days, as you are aware, statement has been telegraphed out by Reuter to the effect that after the coronation of the Czar His Excellency Li Hung-chang intends visiting the Courts of the various treaty ports partly with a view of obtaining an increase of from five to eight per cent. ad valorem of the import duties levied on foreign goods at the treaty ports of China. Now, gentlemen. I am sure you will agree with me that this will raise a very important question. I think that before entertaining any proposals the British Govern- ment (and indeed all the foreign Governments interested) will submit them first to the various Chambers of Commerce in China and to this Chamber. For my part I do not see how any proposal to raise the tariff can be considered for a moment, unless it were to consolidate all
in the letters of Mr. J. J. Keswick, the theu 12th
October
and
For
19th Chairman, dated November. 1894, and by the member then representing the Chamber in Council; also whether Mr. Whitehead has received any mandate from the British members of the Chamber to oppose the views pronounced by the Retrenchment Committee, Mr. Keswick, and myself. To this we have returned a reply to the Governer to the effect that if His Excellency wished an expression of opinion on the subject it woul, in order to be final, be necessary to take the opinions of all the members. my own part 1 can only say I strongly de- precate the chamber, which should remain a purely commercial body, being mixed up with political or municipal matters. (Applause.) There is one question which, although it has not formed the subject of correspondence, has not been lost sight of by the Committee. I allude to the additional light dues impased on shipping in this free port, These wor first levied to pay for the construction and tighting of Gap Rock Bghthouse, and a pledge was given by the then Governor (Sir William Hes Voux) that they should cease when the object for which they were imposed had been attained. That term has expired, but the light dues contine to be levied. It is, I am aware, a temptation to u Government to continue a convenient impost, especially when its finances are not in too flourishing a condition; but when a pledge has been given it ought to be punctually and honourably redeemed. (Ap. plause.) There is also another question involved of the highest importance to this port. The ton- nage is attracted hither, in no small degree, by the freedom from dues of all kinds which in some ports form so heary a burden on vessels. I hope we shall not only firmly maintain that freedom, but that we shall likewise succeed in ridding ships of the light dues, thus again mak- ing the port absolutely free. (Applause.) Any invention or device calculated to lesson the perils
:
Mr. Whitehead, the nominee in the Legislative Council of this Chamber, who resumed his seat in that assembly in August last. There have been few changes in the Committee during the past year. In July last Mr. Douglas Jones left for Shanghai, and Mr. Ede, who had re- turned to the colouy, was asked to resume his old place on the Committee. On the depar- ture of Mr. Gray recently Mr. Herbert The Smith was invited to fill the vacancy. Chamber has only lost two members during the year, and I am glad to say a number of new menibers have been elected, and their election will require confirmation from you to-day. By the resignation at the commencement of the year of Mr. Fullarton/Henderson the Chamber have lost a tried and able secretary, whose long oa pacity experience in China and business peculiarly fitted him for the effective discharge of these somewhat onerous and occasionally difficult duties. Those duties were, as you, know, always discharged with the greatest credit to himself. (Applause.) His place has been filled by Dir. B. C. Wilcox, who also brings to bear a lengthy experience and intimate knowledge of One more subject the colony to the work. remains for me to touch upon, and on this I I refer to the shall not detain you long. financial position of the Chamber. You will observe that again our expenditure unfor. our income, the difference tunately exceeds on the year's working being $1,126.41, which added to the $1,876.96 short on the working of the previous year, reduces our former reserve This is not 2 Lund of $5,250 to $2,509.13. healthy state of finance and unless new mem- bers come forward and add to our revenue by their subscriptions some other means must soon be found by which income and expenditure can be balanced. With these remarks I beg to move the adoption of the report and the passing of the accounts. (Applause.)
Mr. INGLIS-I have very much pleasure, Mr.
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