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-September 23, 1899.]
THE GOLD Standard in SIAM AND THE FAR*FAST.
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(Daily Press, 18th September.)
* countries.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
AMALGAMATION OF THE FOREIGN | service. ⠀ Of this we have had experience in
AND NATIVE CUSTOMS.
C
C
our own immediate neighbourhood. When the Foreign Custorus took charge of the Native Customs stations near Hongkong Piracy practically ceased to exist within the radius of the Customs patrol.
CHINESE EXCLUSION IN THE PHILIPPINES,
(Daily Press, 21st September.) At the last meeting of the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Com
· The proposed ́ introduction of the gold merce a despatch was read from H.B.M's standard in Siam- will if carried into effect Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, in reply to a tend to hasten the inevitable change in tions with reference to the granting of pre- letter from the Chamber making representa- China and the Straits. A majority of the frential rates on junk-borne cargo from Singapore Ghamber of Commerce some time Canton and recommending as a remedy for
(Daily Press; 22nd September.) One paragraph in the Reuter's mesia ago recommended a scheme for securing the evil the abolition of the Native Customs. published in our columns to-day is of Exity of exchange in that colony, and The Chamber's letter was published about a interest. The Chinese Minister at in another column we reproduce the sub month ago. After setting out the extent ington is reported to have made stance of a despatch by the Governor of and effect of the evil, the letter went on to against the exclusion of the Chinese from the Straits Settlements adversely criticis say "Seeing that any prospect of redress Philippines. If there is indeed any ing the scheme. The despatch is an ably is obviously slender so long as the intention on the part of the Washi --reasoned, one, but it is important to uote that while Sir CHARLES MITCHELL CON-
"two competing Customs services are main- Government to extend the United "tained side by side in Kwangtong, and Chinese Exclusion Laws to the Philippine - domus the particular scheme put forward his "that their continued existence syn Islands, it is not the Chinese who will be condemnation does not extend to the object "chronously must serve to obstruct and the greatest sufferers. The Americans in the scheme was designed to effect. One "limit foreign as well as native trade the Philippines and the foreigners there en- thing, His Excellency says, is certain, and
"in the province, the Chamber is strongly gaged in trade or industries would feel the that is that there is a general wish for fixity" of opinion that Her Majesty's Government effects of such exclusion most severely. The of exchange and any assistance that Her "would be justified in demanding the aboli- Philippino unfortunately, though some de Majesty's Government could give to attain "tion of the Native Customs with its Hop greas less indolent than the natives of the -such an end would be gratefully acknow- po, and that the entire collection of duties Malayan peninsula, is not naturally addicted
ledged by the community of the Straits
"be placed in the hands of the Chinese Im- to labour: he only works under the spar of Bettlements. One of the reasons urged by perial Maritime Customs, who could reim-necessity, and when his immediate
the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in "burse the Provincial Treasury: the sum at are supplied he feels little incentive to favour of fixity of exchange was that the col-
present contributed by the Hoppo." It further effort. If the trade and resourbe ony's transactions with gold standard count-
was further represented that the present of the Islands are to be vigorously developed ries exceeded in value those with countries system is abnormal, wasteful, and unprac-the assistance of the Chinese must be in- still adhering to the silver standard. If tical, and it was urged that in the yoked, and the restrictions imposed by the Siam adopts the gold standard this argu- interests of trade and in defence of violated Spaniards when in possession should be ment will be greatly strengthened, for Treaty rights the abolition of this Customs very materially relaxed. Under Spanish Biam ic one
of the most important anchronism should be insisted upon by the domination the Chinese, though far from of Singapore's commercial connections and British Government, who would no doubt be welcome, always formed an influential the change of standard there will further supported by the other Treaty Powers in so section of the population in the cities, lessen the volume of the colony's business just and reasonable a demand. In his and proved most valuable settlers, spite with silver countries and proportionately reply Mr. BAX-IRONSIDE, while admitting of some drawbacks inseparable from their increase its volume of business with gold that the Chamber's proposal to abolish the peculiar and disagreeable habits. If, how- Native Customs goes to the root of the evil, ever, it is proposed by the Americán mys that it involves such wide-spreading authorities to dispense with the assistANCO consequences that he has felt it his duty to of John Chinaman in opening up the fertile submit the matter for the consideration of group which they have taken under their the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. protection, it is to be feared "that" the We trust that the result of Lord SALIS-development of trade, which has been so BURY's consideration of this important que eagerly anticipated, will not come so quickly tion may result in definite action being as was at first hoped, and that the resources. taken on the lines recommended by the of the islands will take a long time to open Chamber of Commerce. The grievance of up. The fear of any competition of Chi- the River Steamboat Companies is one that nese labour with that of the American calls for remedy, and the experience of citizen has not in this ease to be considered, many years has shown that the only effec- for white men cannot undertake outdoor tive remedy is the amalgamation of the employment in such a climate as that of the two competing branches of the Customs Philippines, and as the natives will only Service. The effect of the adoption of that work when and how it pleased them they course would, however, have more wide-need not be specially considered. The reaching effects than the remedying of present order éxcluding Chinese has been a local grievance: it would be an im-made by General Oris on his own respon portant step in the direction of the sibility as Military Governor. It remains reform of China's fiscal system, and to be seen whether Congress will make the a thoroughgoing financial reform would exclusion permanent. be the most effective means of obviat ing the threatened break-up of the THE "TARTAR”- OVER-CROWDING. empire. The Empress-Dowager is reported to have become convinced of the necessity
(Daily Press, 18th September). of reforms in the administration, and if
The recent unfortunate difficulty with ve- there is any truth in this it may be preference to the Tartar has given rise to com- sumed that a reorganisation of the financial ments that exhibit more of irritation than system of the country would be included in of justice. It is quite possible that other the reforming measures Her Majesty is die British vessels chartered for the conveyance posed to regard with approval. Id view of of American troops to or from the Philip all past experience one cannot take an op- pines may hereafter avoid Hongkong and timistic view of reform in China, but there that the colony will thereby be deprived of seems to be a slight gleam of hope that the profitable business that might oth present innature might prove favourable for have come in its way, but that la no pressing on China the advisability of effect why any particular scapegoat should ing an amalgamation of her rival Customs ected unless it can be clearly showp Services. Incidentally another advantage is responsible. The original miste would be secured and one of scarcely less with the American authorities at Maniljn importance than an improvement of the overcrowding the vessel and in not maling finances, namely, the suppression of piracy proper arrangements for the mend on the inland waterways. The preventive dition to the Kansas Regiment, which wa service would also be an effective police still under military discipline, a large num-
The announcement that Siam has resolved upon the conversion of her standard was unexpected, but there is good reason to suppose that the change has not been decided upon hastily or without due consideration. The Government has for some years past been engaged in setting its finances in order, for which purpose it obtained the assistance of a financial adviser from Eng- land, and more recently several officers have been engaged from India to join the Finance Department. The proposal is to -adopt a monetary unit of the same value as the Indian rupee, which seems judicious, in view of the contiguity of Siam and India and the extent of their trade with each other. The particular scheme by which this is proposed to be effected may be open to criticism, like the Straite scheme, but currency conversions have taken place from time to time throughout the world's history and the operation is familiar enough to place it within the reach of any State that has sufficient financial stability to carry it through. When the change is decided upon the experts may be relied upon to arrange a scheme to carry it into effect with due re- gard to any special circumstances that may exist. A scheme that would suit one country might not be adapted to another, but as between the methods adopted by Japan and India there is a wide range of choice. Buch criticism as that to which Sir CHARLES MITORELL subjects the Singapore proposals is valuable in its proper place, but it is a criticism of details. If the advocates of the soheme should be unable to answer Hi Excellency's criticisms and this particular scheme should consequently have to be abandoned, they will no doubt address themselves to the preparation of another cheme not open to the same objections but
med to secure the same end.
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