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"That there are important changes now going on in the relations of European powers to the Empire of China affecting the territory of that Empire, and to that extent affecting the privileges enjoyed under existing treaty rights by American citizens trading in and with China.
"That the trade of the United States to China is now rapidly increasing, and is destined, with the further opening of that country, to assume large proportions unless arbitrarily de- barred by the action of foreign governments, the exports from the United States to China and Hongkong, as far as they can be traced, having grown from $8,117,059 in 1893 to $17,978,965 in 1897."
"That, in view of the changes threatening to future trade development of the United States in China, the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York respectfully and ear- nestly urge that such proper steps be taken as will commend themselves to your wisdom for the prompt and energetic defence of the exist- ing treaty rights of our citizens in China, and for the preservation and protection of their import. ant commercial interests in that Empire."
The time has come when the opening up of the magnificent resources of the Celestial kingdom to the trade of the world cannot be much longer delayed if the integrity of China is to beesus- tained and the welfare of her people promoted. Never in the history of the Far East has there been greater need to strain every nerve to fully and completely safeguard our markets and develop new ones in the cause of civilisa tion. The example set by the New York Chamber of Commerce should be imitated by the Chambers of Commerce throughout the Far East, as each has a direct and tangible interest in the growth of the trade and com. merce of China present and future, and in keep. ing open on equal terms to all competitors the markets and resources of the oldest Empire in the world. Before sitting down permit me to offer you my grateful thanks for your kind reference to my humble endeavours, as repre- sentative of the Chamber in the Legislative Conncil, on behalf of the trade and commerce of the port. Members may rest assured that while I have the privilege and pleasure of living amongst you I shall continue, in my leisure time, to do my little best in the interests of the colony and the promotion of its welfare.
Mr. J. H. LEWIS-I have much pleasure in seconding the able report of the Committee for the past year, which has been to some extent
unfavourably criticised by Mr. Granville Sharp in regard to the question of light dues. To judge from Mr. Sharp's remarks in connection with the shipping interests of the colony, it would appear that he held a brief from the Harbour Master. However, all these points have been successfully upheld by the represen. tatives of the Chamber in the past, and most of us, I am sure, can only hope that the shipping interests will in the future be as well and as successfully protected.
The motion was passed.
The CHAIRMAN then moved the confirma- tion of the members admitted since the last annual meeting.
Mr. JACKSON seconded. Carried.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE.
4
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
bers of the Chamber the subjoined. report of their proceedings during the past year.
THE LIGHT DUES.
The agitation inaugurated in 1896 by this Chamber to secure the fulfilment of the pledge given by Governor Sir William Des Voeux when the Special: Gap Rock Light Tax was first imposed, that so soon as the cost of the light had been met, the light dues should be reduced to their former level, has resulted in the redemption of that promise by direction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Ac cordingly, at the commencement of the current year, the old rate of one cent per ton was reverted to, and the shipping has thereby been relieved from a burden which threatened to be- come permanent. Bearing in mind, however, that the principle of having resort to light dues for purposes of general revenue in any case of argent necessity has been endorsed by the Secretary of State, it will be necessary for this Chamber to keep a watchful eye on this ques- tion in the future..
[April 9, 1898.
QUARANTINE REGULATIONS, During the past year vessels from Swatow, Amoy, and Formosan ports were placed under medical inspection at Shanghai, Bangkok, Netherlands India, and Japanese and Philippine ports for a period, but arrivals from this colony were not subjected to serious detention.
ILLEGAL MONOPOLIES IN KWANGRI.
In May last a notice was issued by the Pro- vincial Authorities in Kwangsi announcing the concession to certain native merchants of the privilege of importing matches and kerosine into that province on terms constituting a virtual monopoly for a period of twelve years. The Chamber's attention having been called to this breach of treaty rights, a letter was ad- dressed in the first place to the British Consul
of the Kwangsi officials was a practical nulli- at Canton, representing that the action · fication of the transit pass privilege. Mr. Brenan had lost no time in protesting against the monopoly, and as a result it was cancelled soon afterwards. Further correspondence with H.B.M.'s Consul ensued on this question and By a Royal Decree dated the 30th April last, the cognate one of internal taxation on foreign the Portuguese Government declared all goods, and eventually representations thereon steamers entering Macao from Hongkong and were addressed to H.B.M.'s Minister at Peking, Chiuese ports exempt from tonnage and all who in reply promised to do his best to induce other port dues,-an important step to secure the Tsung-li Yamen to prohibit the farming the preservation of the trade of the neighbour-out of taxes on merchandise to syndicates, and ing colony.
ABOLITION OF PORT DUES AT MACAO.
THE OPENING OF THE WEST
RIVER TO TRADE.
The ports of Samehui and Wuchow-fu, and four ports of call-Kongmoon, Kumchuk, Shiuhing, and Takhing-on the West River were opened to foreign trade and navigation on the 4th June, and a British Consular Officer was at once despatched to Wuchow-fu. Pro- risional Regulations for the conduct of trade on the River were issued in August, and copies courteously forwarded to this Chamber by the Imperial Maritime Customs.
THE NAVAL YARD EXTENSION,
Hearing that the Admiralty projected a large extension seaward of the Royal Naval Dockyard by reclamation from the sea and construction of a basin, your Committee, apprehensive that this projection of the area of the Yard would affect the fairway through the men-of-war anchorage and cause a silting up of the foreshore in t of the new Praya, addressed the Goverment on the subject, and asked that such steps should be taken as might be necessary to protect shipping interests. The matter was referred to the Naval Authorities, who have expressed an opinion that the extension of the Naval Yard will not affect the fairway and is not likely to cause any serious silting up, but if the latter should occur the Ad- miralty will probably be ready to apply a remedy.
HONGKONG AND THE POSTAL SUBSIDY,
fully recognised the importance of the publica- tion of internal Customs tariffs, which he had instructed the Consul to apply for.
PREFERENTIAL DUTIES.
This oft-recurring question came rather pro- minently to the fore again last year. In Sep- tember last, the Hongkong Canton and Macao Steamboat Company informed the Chamber of a new infraction of the Treaty by the Hoppo at Canton who, in competition with the Imperial Martime Customs, had lowered the duty on waste silk when carried by junks and diverted the carriage of that product from the river steamers to native craft. Urgent representa- to H. B. M,'s Consul and subsequently to the tions on the subject were promptly made first British Minister at Peking. His Excellency promised to bring the matter before the Tsung-
Yamên, but the result has heen practically nil, since the carriage of the article referred to continues to be made in junks. The Central Germent at Peking demand documentary possible to obtain, as it is the interest of ship. proof of the practice, which it is virtually im- pers to avail themselves of the opportunity to lay the silk down in Hongkong at the lowest
terms obtainable.
INFRINGEMENT OF TRADE MARKS.
The reference to this Chamber by the Govern- ment of a letter from Messrs. Marsland, Son & Co., of Manchester, complaining of an infringe- ment of their Horseshoe" label by Belgian reply was, on the 5th June, addressed to the general scheme of registration to cover Great
With regard to this important question, a
manufacturers, and suggesting that some Government despatch requesting the views of Britain and her colonies, led to some corres- the Chamber on the new demands of the Trea-pondence on the local registration of trade sury, in which these were strongly combated, and an emphatic protest made against the mileage basis on which it is sought to fix the colony's contribution to the mail subsidy. Beyond the acknowledgement of the receipt of this commu. nication, nothing further has been heard in connection with the protest, which it is to be
The CHAIRMAN-The next business is the presumed is still under consideration in London. election of the committee.
Mr. JA8. MCKIE rese and said he would like to suggest to those present the name of Mr. H. A. Ritchie as a most desirable member of the new Committee, Mr. Ritchie was not only the Superintendent in Hongkong of the largest and most important shipping company in the world but by the tact and energy he had displayed in the agitations against light dues and stone piers he had proved himself a capable acquisi- tion to the Committee of this Chamber.
THE MEDICAL INSPECTION OF VESSELS,
In consequence of a recommendation from the Local Government Board that a systematic medical inspection of all vessels entering the waters of this colony should be adopted, on the principles prevailing in ports of the United Kingdom, to which end it was proposed to estab- lish inspecting stations at each extremity of the harbour, with an adequate staff of medical officers to perform the work, the opinion of the Chamber was sought by the Government. The The voting papers were then distributed question was referred to a Committee of gentle- and on their being collected it was found that men engaged in the shipping trade, and a copy of the following had been elected:-Messrs. R. M. their report setting forth the undesirability and Gray (Chairman), Herbert Smith (Vice-Chair-impracticability of the proposed inspection was man), G. B. Dodwell, H. A. Ritchie, A. Haupt, despatched to the Government with a covering J. J. Bell-Irving, T. Jackson, N. A. Siebs, and letter endorsing these opinions and adding a T. H. Whitehead.
suggestion for facilitating the work of the Health Officer. No further action has since been taken with regard to the inspection, but the latter suggestion of the Chamber was adopted, presumably in deference to the wishes | of the shipping interest.
The proceedings then terminated.
The following is the report of the Com. mittee:-
The Committee beg to submit to the Mem."
marks. Your committee, in reference to the. latter suggestion, were not prepared to advocate any scheme of Imperial registration embracing both the colonies and the United Kingdom, on account of the proportions such an undertaking would necessarily attain and the great attendant cost of having commensurate departments in each colony. At the same time they recognised the importance of owners of marks for local trade being able to claim the protection of re- gistration, and accordingly the Government were requested to ask the Attorney-General to give
an opinion оп certain points
and confirm or otherwise certain conclusions. named. This was done, and the Attorney- General, in a minute on the subject, ex- pressed the opinion that registration in this colony is only prima facie evidence of the right to a trade mark, and evidence of a prior subsist. ing registration in England would be admissible to defeat the prima facie proof of the local re- gister, but when application for registration has been made in Hongkong before the date of re- gistration in the United Kingdom, the local re- gistration should confer prior right in this colony.
THE QUESTION OF DATING BILLS OF LADING.
This question, which has been very la gely discussed in London and various British ports, was brought to the notice of the Committee
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