452
SINGAPOLE AND THE GOLD
DOLLAR.
CHINESE OPINION,
A representative of the Straits Times has in- terviewed a prominent member of the Chinese community on the subject of the proposed gold standard for the Straits Settlements. That gentleman, while willing to express an opinion, was desirous that his name should not yet be mentioned in connection with the controversy.
The report of the Sub-Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, be thought, re- vealed a pre-determination on the part of the members of that Committee to recommend a gold standard. Their recommendation based upon the assumption that silver was going to fall to eighteen-pence. If this were going to be the case, then the Sub-Committee were quite right in advocating a gold standard. | and, he thought, the whole cominunity would be with them. Mr. G. S. Murray was a silver man in 1893, when he (the speaker) was a member of the Currency Commission. He believed then with the Chinese that a fall in
Was
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
CANTON NOTES,
|
[December 8, 1897.
As the reader will know, in China the coffin dealers keep coffins in stock just like any FROM THE "CHUNG NGOI SAN PO."|
other goods. A customer went to the shop On the 25th ultimo a junk named Kiang-mun in question and wanted to buy a coffin. After left Kingehow for Haichow.
When near
some bargaining a coffin was selected and the Cheungfa three boats belonging to robbers came
dealer proceeded to take it down, but imagine up to her and fired at her. The junk having on the surprise of the shop people when they board a large quantity of ammunition fired af
found a dead man inside! The body was in the robbers boats in return. The encounter such an advanced state of putrefaction that the lasted about eight hours. At last the junk features could not be recognised, but it is sur- caught fire. All the passengers were greatly mised the man had taken opium, previously frightened and many of them jumped into the secreting himself where the body was discovered, water and tried to swim to land. The robbers so as to make sure of being buried in a coffin, boats then came up to her and all the passengers because the Chinese think nothing worse remaining on board the junk were puttathe sword,
can happen to them tban to be buried It is reported that only two lives were saved. without a proper coffin. A medical exami. The junk had about fifty persons on board in-nation of the body was made and it was cluding the crew. All but the two above men- found it had been dead not less than tioned were either killed by the robbers or ten or twelve days. It is wonderful that drowned in the water. The case has been re-
it should have remained undiscovered so long. ported to the Canton Government and on the What the smell in the shop at ordinary times 25th ult, a gunbont named Kwong-Yuk was sent must be may be imagined when the presence to the place to make enquiries.
of a dead body in a state of decomposition was not detected by the sense of smell.
It is said that there are about seven hundred robbers assembled in Ta-yau-shan. They com- the dollar would be good for the colony. Mr. mit crimes of every description, and often go Murray had now changed his mind, within large bands to plunder the houses in the out giving in the report sufficient reason for it, with the result that the public might think that he believed himself to be wrong in 1893.
This, however, was not the case. Mr. Murray and the Chinese were quite right in their attitude in 1893, and they would also be quite right in 1897, in advocating a change in the standard. The reason was that in 1893 the dollar had not yet fallen low enough to enable the Straits producer to compete on superior terms with the producer, in gold countries. Tin, the staple product of the Settlements, exactly illustrated the argnment. With the dollar, roughly, at two-shillings, the producer got something like $39 a picul for his tin. With the dollar at two shillings and six pence. as it was in 189, the producer could only get about $30. Thus, it was shown that the low dollar had been, on the whole. a good thing for the Straits and Malaya. The - general revenne had increased, though. no doubt, some individuals had suffered. And there had been no increase in the price of labour, the bulk of which was drawn from China. He believed, therefore, that with a low dollar they were in a better position to compete with their rivals in gold standard countries.
But there was a limit below which, he thought. they could not afford to see the dollar fall, aud he thought that it would be a misfortune for the colony if the dollar were to fall any lower than it was at the present time. Between 1893 and now, the dollar had fallen to such an ainoqnt that they were able to fight on superior terms with the producer in a gold country. But there was a limit to the advant- age to be reaped. With the dollar at a shilling. say, instead of getting double their present prices they would be more likely to get less than their present prices, owing to the enormous stimulation of production, and the consequent glutting of the market. If the exchange could -be fixed at two-shillings, he thought their pre- sent advantages would be lasting, and the pros- perity of the colony would be assured.
The proposals, however, with regard to the inangaration of the new system did not appear to him to be altogether practicable. It would be dangerous. he thought, to run a Bill through Council making the change. By this method. the necessary promptness and secrecy could not be well assured. They had got to trust some- body, and the only person they must trust was the Governor. Let the Legislative Council pass a Bill giving the Governor in Council power to introduce the new standard at, in his discretion, the most favourable time. The change could then be made, when the occasion was suitable, by means of an Order in Council. The two-shillings basis could then be fixed with the minimum of loss to the colony.
neighbourhood in broad daylight. The caso has been reported to the local Magistrate, who has wired to Canton for assistance.
A new paper factory has been erected iu Shimpo. The machinery turns out about thirty pieuls of paper daily. The paper, it is said, is of excellent quality and is greatly appreciated by the people.
seized.
The restriction on the export of rice from Canton has lately been strictly enforced and many junks illegally exporting rice have been The illicit rice was confiscated and sold to the people at low prices. The price of rice in Canton is consequently much lower than in Hongkong.
The forts at the Northern Gate have been The soldiers are repaired and reinforc.d. drilled évery day.
MACAO.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]
Macao, 2nd December. The prices of articles of daily consumption have been increasing enormously during the last few weeks, especially those of rice and fire- wood, and the increased cost of living is entailing much suffering ou the pepulation. In connection with this, much indignation is felt at the pro- ceedings of the Chinese Customs, owing to the measures taken to prevent the import of rice from China, During the past week a number of junks leaden with rice for Macao have been caught by the Customs launches and compelled to take their cargoes back again. So far have the Customs gone, it is said, that several seizures have been made in Portugnese waters, and in- quiries are now being made by the Macao Government to ascertain the real facts. Things cannot be lewed to go Ou in this way, and steps must be taken to obtain an planation from China of her action in stop ping our food supply. which is the more extraordinary in that it is the Chinese popu- lation of the colony that is made to suffer most severely. The position taken up by the Chinese Government, I understand, is that they would not object to rice being imported into Macao from China for local consumption, but they say that large quantities are re. exported from Macao to California and else. where, and it is that they wish to stop, the export of grain being contrary to law.
ex-
It is reported that we will soon have two steamers making daily trips to Hongkong and back, and if the rumour is true the compétition will be most welcome. I must express my sym- pathy with the Steamboat Co., but the policy adopted by the directors in increasing the rates of freight and passage is a mistaken one and, I should think, must reduce the income, for al- most all the passengers who used to travel first-class now use the second class, while goods that formerly were shipped by steamer are now sent by junk. The Green Island Capt. Tocque, of the P. & O. steamer Verona, Cement Company for iust::nce, used which arrive at Kobe on the 24th November to send its goods by steamer but now sends them from Hongkong, made the following report:- by junk. I fear this Company used to pay the At 8 a.m. this day observed a water-logged junk Steamboat Company five or six hundred dollars Awash with two men olinging to wreckage. a month, but now it pays hardly anything. Stopped and sent away 1st cutter and rescued l. A curious occurrence happened the other day them; both were in a very exhausted condition. in one of the coffin dealer's shops at Tarrafeiro.
.
I
Next Sunday the election of three members of the Tribunal das Contas will take place.
The temporary repair of the sea wall of the Prayn Grande is now almost completed, so that we no longer see the place in ruins as if the typhoon had just occurred. The work has been carried out at the expense of the Government. When will the anthorities con- erned begin to think about repairing the whole of the streets of the colony, which are in a most disgraceful condition?
HONGK NG.
The date of His Excellency the Governor's departure for England has been fixed and he will leave Hongkong on the 1st February. On Friday last the annual meeting of the members of the Navy League was held, the occasion being marked by a spirited speech delivered by the Chairman, Commander W. C. H. Hastings. On Friday evening a successful concert was held at the City Hall under the auspices of the Philharmonic Society. During the week the question of the ownership of certain land claimed ຄະ a site for a new Jewish synagogne has engaged the attention of the Chief Justice and considerable interest in the case has been
aronsed.
more.
The case is likely to last a few days
The late Mr. Torrance, who met his death by falling from a vérandah on Sunday was in- sured in the Scottish Metropolitan Insurance
o. against accidents.
A telegram has been received by the Governor from the Minister to Japan stating that cattle disease regulations have been enforced at Naga- saki from 26th November.
An order by the Governor in Council exempts from stamp duty instruments for the sale, trans- fer, or other disposition of any ship or vessel, or any interest in any ship or vessel.
The Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Go- down Company's Tramways Ordinance has received the assent of H. E. the Governor, given in the name and on behalf of the Queen,
At the regular meeting of Zetland Lodge held on 1st Dec. Bro, G. J. B. Sayer was elected Worshipful Master for the ensuing year, and Wor. Brd. G. A. Caldwell was re-elected Trea- surer and Bro. J. Maxwell Tyler.
Ten subscription griffins were drawn for at Keunedy's town depot on the 6th December, the following being the drawers:-Messrs. Fuller- ton, R M. Gray (2), J. H. Lewis (2), J. M. Atkinson, A. P. MacEwen, Gove, and Dr. Jor- dan, Que of the ponies drawn by Mr. R. M. Gray received fatal injuries while landing.
A couple of suspicious looking Chinamen were espied by Inspector Duncan at three o'clock on them orning of 3rd Dec. loitering about the dark corners in Burd Street. The Inspector shadowed. them for a while, but the men were apparently up to something, for they turned often to see if anyone was behind them. They soon perceived the Inspector, and made towards Jervois Street. The Inspector knew at once he had been seen, and stepping up to the men, asked them to give an account of themselves, which they were unable to do. Upon being searched large wallets were found round their bodies. They were brought before Hon. H. E. Wodehouse on 3rd Dec., and were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour as being rogues and vagabonds,
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