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136
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
the water-works of the Colony, more part ticularly on the Kowloon side, the problem of disposal of refuse, the Market difficulties, etc. But it is unnecessary to insist on facts that are patent. No one can honestly-deny that Hongkong has of late years grown completely out of its former clothes, if we may so express it. This is to a certain extent satisfactory as a sign of prosperity, but to what does the prosperity tend if we are not to see the Colony improved and modernised with all convenient rapidity ? There is no improvidence in spending money on public improvements, when we have so ample a surplus. We may quote once more the saying, which a correspondent recalled to our memory last month, of a former well-known unofficial member of our Legislative Council. surplus," he said, "is a mistake, Hongkong should always have a deficit." If this be not interpreted too literally, there is much sound sense in the remark. It is certainly ridiculous that we should continue year after year with absolutely inadequate and unworthy buildings, or without any of a very necessary kind, while we have so much money in hand that we can afford to develop the New Territory, with no hope of return for a very long time to come, and yet see our surplus revenue mounting. A little more ostentation of our wealth would only be decent.
"A
worse still
CHINA'S OPPORTUNITY IN
EDUCATION.
(Daily Press, 14th February.) A few years ago a strong movement was made in connection with London University to have the system in vogue altered fund. amentally by converting the merely examin. ing body, without any coherence, into a regular teaching University, where students would have the immeasurable advantage of being able to enter into personal and friendly rivalry with their competitors. Although on the face of it the proposed change had almost everything to recommend it, it met with strong and lasting opposition, and it was only by the most persistent efforts on the part of its friends, amongst whom one of the most prominent was the late Member for the University, now Lord AVEBURY, that the Bill for the change was carried, so that London will in a short period have not only an examining board, but a real teach ing University. It is curious to find exactly the same train of argument which led to the erection of a school for learning, instead of the barren examining board in London, made use of by a Chinese writer in the Tung-wen Hu-pao in connection with the decision of the Powers that examinations shall cease for a term of years in those vinces where the graduates distinguished themselves by their misconduct. Here, he says, is the nation's opportunity. Let the authorities use it to abolish everywhere the old worn-out methods, and establish instead government schools, which shall teach the student something better than the mere poring over old books, without the practical education which personal emulation can alone supply. Not all the neatly turned phrases of the most elaborate eight-legged essays can give any hint, the writer adds, as to the proper way of conducting inter- national relationships. The foreigners, he tells us, have in this stipulation sought to blot out one of China's most cherished insti- tutions, but by so doing they have really opened the door, for a wholesome reform. Let but the new government take the lesson to heart, and, instead of the isolating, and barren examinations which have tended more than anything else to lower the entire system
pro-
[February 16, 1901,
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
of administration, quicken the whole of the THE CRISIS: TELEGRAMS. public service by the introduction of per- sonal emulation, and the imparting of prac tical in lieu of mere theoretical or moral instruction. Such a proceeding would be literally paying the "foreigner" off in his own coin; and would far more than any device which he has suggested, result in the regeneration of the state from its present seemingly helpless condition of dependence.
THE CHINA LEAGUE.
SHANGHAI, 8th February, 8 p.m. The Allies demanding eleven heads, in- cluding those of the Chuchou culprits, the Imperial Court is seriously exercised on three points-sufficient punishment of the guilty princes, security for the indemnity, and the military occupation until reparation, has been obtained.
The Empress Dowager now degrades. General Tung Fuhsiang, with a retention. of his command. This is an obviousevasion.
The opinion here is that the Chinese mission of condolence to London is indecent until reparation has been made.
London.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
(Daily Press, 15th February.) The home papers record that the new China League has now reached that stage of de- velopment at which it is enabled to take a permanent office and to begin to place its views definitely before the public. One of the League's earliest actions has been the circulation of a pamphlet (which we repro-
SHANGHAI, 10th February, 6.48 p.m.. duce in another column) setting forth the
Chang Pei-lun, who was cashiered for position which it takes up and calling at- tention once more, in a public manner, to the cowardice at Foochow in 1885, has been dangers of apathy in regard to the Far East, called to Hsianfu by the Empress Dowager, We need not here commend the attitude of and his tank has been restored to him.
A Soochow despatch reports that Nieh the League. It is only insisting on the points which we and other representatives Chi-kuei has been ordered to succeed H.E of the British Press in China have long Lo Feng-lu as Chinese representative in maintained to be essential for the future welfare of our Empire. None of the regions Tajen because there are no railways to con- The Empress Dowager censures Sheng of the world awaiting development promise riches like those of the Empire of China, vey the Southern troops to Hsianfu. and if we are to share in the legitimate exploitation of these, instead of seeing them seized by other nations who may proceed to shut us out altogether, the apathy of the past, which has perhaps reached its worst limits under the administration of Lord SALISBURY'S Government, must be done away with. As our readers know, the China League has set itself the task of conquering the indifference and ignorance of the home public and its representatives in Parliament, the ability of those influential men who a difficult task and one fully calling for all have associated themselves with the name of the League. It will be seen from the pamphlet referred to that the non-alienation of Manchuria is particularly urged by the League as a matter of vital importance to the future trade of Great Britain." This has been repeatedly stated, and the fact is familiar to British residents in China. Hon. Dr. Ho KAI. But unfortunately the great mass of people at home have refused to trouble themselves about Manchuria. The China League sees
Such
COUNCIL.
On Thursday afternoon, the 14th inst., meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber at the Govern ment Offices, there being present:-
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir HENRY BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. W. MEIGH GOODMAN, K.C: (Attorney- - General).
Works).
Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. R. D. OEMSBY (Director of Public
Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Captain Su perintendent of Police),
ĭ
Hon. BASIL TAYLOR (Acting Harbour Master). Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.
Hon. J. THURBURN, Hon. R. M. GRAY.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK, Hon. WEI A Yuk.
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of Coun-
cils).
PAPER,
no signs of awakening interest or activity to safeguard our present and future posit-n and to maintain our treaty rights."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table indifference is fatal, and it must be over-
The China the report of the Widows and Orphans' "Pen- come by every avaliačiu m.dns.
sion Fund for the year 1900 and also the report League should command the full support of the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol for the of all who care and are able to contribute to
year 1900, the maintenance of British righ's and in- terests in the Far East.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table Financial Minute No. 8 and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee,
the motion was carried.
The COLONIAL Treasurer seconded, and
The COLONIAL SEOBETARY laid on the tablé
the report of the Finance Committee, and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL TREASUBIR seconded and the motion was carried.
THE LAWS RELATING TO TRUSTEES. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL laid on the table
A letter has been placed at the disposal of from Canton by one of the victims of the our Shanghai morning contemporary, written recent attack on a house-boat. After describ ing the affair, he says:-"I am glad to say I only got a slight wound on the head and a black eye; beyond these and being a little shaken, I am perfectly O.K., which is regular good joss. It was very funny hearing the bal- and might have been much worse, but all's the report of the Standing Law Committee sa lets flying about, and pretty hot while it lasted, well that ends well, and I am now thinking to the Bill entitled an Ordinance to consolidate of qualifying for a soldier, for I shall never and amend the laws relating to trustees, and be so near fire again. Of course it has caused gave notice that at the next meeting of the a great scare here, and vengeance is being Council he would move that the Bill be read a taken, especially by the Germans, as the boat third time. was owned by that nationality. Mr. B. C. G. Scott is working on my behalf and reems to take a great interest in the case."We note that the N-C. Daily News quotes the letter signed * Observer” which appeared in these columns abōnti Mr. Scott's attitude toward pirney on the West River,
THE SALARIES OF SUBORDINATE OFFICERA. THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S REPLY,
The Hon. R. M. GRAY—I beg to ask the question of which I have given due notice.
The question was as follows contra all “I should like to know what, if any, reply has been received from the Secretary of State
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