March 9, 1903.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND|
THE CURRENCY QUESTION. The following letter has been addressed by Mr. A.. R. Lowe, Secretary to the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, to the Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary:-
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
28th February, 19.3. SIE-I am directed to inform you for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that in November last the Singapore Chamber of Commerce addressed this Chamber, drawing attention to the steps taken by that Chimbar with the object of investigating and considering the possibility of arriving at some method by which the fixing of ex hange between gold and silver in Singapore and the Straits Settlements might be solved, and asking for this Chamber's views as to the advisability of taking any action in the same direction with regard to the currency of Hongkong.
At a meeting of the Committee specially called to discuss this matter, held on 23rd December last, it was decided to reply that, although they greatly appreciated the friendly desire for joint action, the Committee regrette that by reason of the very
different position occupied by the two Colonies, they were unable to see their way, whilst China still retains a silver currency, to take any steps which might tend to lead the Government to adopt another standard.
Since the expression of opinion by the Committee a requisition from five members was received calling for a special general meeting of the members of the Chambar for the purpose of discussing the question of local currency, and this meeting of members was held on the 18th instant, when the following resolation was carried by a majority :
:
"That in the opinion of this Meeting it desirable the Straits Currency Commission should extend its enquiries to Hongkong with a view to ascertaining whether reform of the Colony's currency arrangements is advisable.”
In this connection, I enclose copies of the following papers.
1. Pablished minutes of committee meeting held 23rd December, 1902.
2. Notice calling special general meeting of members for 18th February, 1903.
3. Published minutes of special general meeting.
I have the honour to be. Sir, your most obedient servant,
A, R. Lowe, Secretary.
HOD. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
T
support of the proposal with the object of in any independent action in the matter ducing the Government to reconsider the deci-onquiries they have made, they do sion previously arrived at.
From the copy of the circular letter enclosed | faithfully,
shipowners secmel concerned about it. herein, addressed by this Chamber to the ship- ping firms and agencies in this Colony, you will observe that their opinion was sought as to the The SECRETARY, advisability or otherwis of bringing the pilots
under control.
In answer to this enquiry, Messre Bradley & Co., the P. & O. 8. N. Co.; Melchers & Co.; the Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steam Boat Co. Ld.; Butterfield & Swire; Shewan, Tomes & Co.; Gibb, Livingston & Co.; David Sassoon & Co., Ld.; the Nippon Yusen Kaisha; Jardine, Matheson & Co; Pacific Mail Steam Ship Co. Occidental and Oriental Steam Ship Co.; and the Toyo Kisen Kaisha, representing the chief shipping interest in the Colony, replied favour ing the licensing of the pilots by an examination board possessing the necessary anthority, and the opinion was expressed that as the authorities at other ports throughout the world were able to do his, there should be no difficulty in making similar arrangements in Hongkong.. No replies were receivel antagonistic to the proposal.
of
PETER MILAN Brewart
Hon. Fedr
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce. Incorporated ChamberofCommerce of Liverpool,
BIU, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool, 10th January, 19 13. Dear Sir,—L have to acknowledge receipt the Hoogkong Quarantine Ordinance Regula- your letter of October 18th on the subject of tions, which has received careful consideration, and I am to enclose for your information copy the repeal of that part of the Ordigane, which of letter saut to the Colonial Omoe requesting. makes shipowners liable for cost and expenses of passengers who have died or been taken ill and removed under the quarantine regulations referred to.-I am, yours faithfully,
The SECRETARY,
THOMAS H. BARKER, Secretary. Chamber of Commerce, Hongkong.
(Enclosure.)
His Excellency will remember that the Com- mittee's grounds for making the proposal were that many of the older and more reliable pilots were not now available owing to deaths, old age, or retirement, and their places taken by men of Inferior calibre, and that the increasing size of | SIR,- vessels and the more congested state of the Harbour necessarily required more care and knowledge on the part of the pilots than in the past.
The Committee are strongly against the institution of compulsory pilotage, as the Har- bour is not a 1aturally difficult one to navigate, and by reason of their local knowledge a number of the masters of ships running in and out on the coast trade do not require pilots.
It is very obvious that the possession of a certificate of competency cannot but prove alvantageous to respectable men and the fees suggested are within the reach of all, so that the only effect would be to weed out the undesirables to make room for better men.
My Committee trust that, in view of the opinions expressed by the shipping community in favour of some control being exercised over the pilots, His Excellency will be pleased to give this matter further consideration.-I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
A. R. Lowe, Secretary. HON. COLONIAL SECRETARY,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
30th January, 1903. of your letter
SIB, I am directed to acknowledg, receipt
of the 20th instant the subject of the proposed licensing of the pilots of this port, and to inform you that the Governor has given it his full consideration.
on
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber 2. With every wish to meet the views of the of Commerce held in the Chamber Room, ou Chamber of Commerce if possible, His Ex- Tuesday, 17th February, 1903, at 4 o'clock p.m.cellency desires me to inform you that in view Present Hon. C. 8. Sharp (chairman), Mr. W. Poate (vice-chairman) Hoa, C. W. Dick son, Messrs. E. A. Hewett, C. Michelau, N. A. Biess, J. R. M. Smith, H. E. Tomkins, R. Chatterton Wilcox, Hon. R. Shewan (ez officio) and Mr. A. R. Lowe (secretary).
The minutes of the monthly meeting held on '20th ult. were road and confirmed.
NEW MEMBERS.
The International Banking Corporation and Messrs. Wilkinson, Heywood and Clark, Limited, were elected to membership subject to the usual confirmation at the ǹxt sunual general meeting,
OFFICIAL CODE vocabularY, The SECRETARY reported that in answer to *the Chamber's letter of 5th December last a reply had been received from the London Chamber of Commerce stating that the matter would have consideration, and farther com. munications would follow.
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1,571 of the 16th July last he considers the of the reasons fully set forth in my letter No. proposal impracticable. His Excellency regrets therefore that he must adhere to the decision already conveyed to you in my letter No. 2,256 of the 16th October.—I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
The SECRETARY,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
Chamber of Commerce. The CHAIRMAN said that no further steps could very well be taken locally, and after some discussion it was decided to record the Com- mittee's dissatisfaction with the decision arrived at by the Government.
MERCHANT SHIPPING AMENDMENT OEDINANCE, 1901. The following letters were read :-
Southampton, January 7th, 1903, | DEAR SIR,-Your circular letter of the 18th PROPOSED LICENSING OF PILOTS.“ October last on the subject of the Merchant The following correspondence was read:- Shipping Ragulation now in force at your port
General Chamber of Commerc), **** Hongkong, 20th January, 1948,
with regard to the expenses of shipowners in cases of death or sickness on board has been un- SIE With reference to previous corresponder the consideration of the Directors at their dence on the subject of the propsal to license two last meetings, and 1 am directed to state the pilots of this port, I am directed to bring | that they are in full accord with your efforts to
• your notice," for the information of His Ex-get the Regulation repealed. cellency the Governor, further argumɔnts in
They, however, consider that they cannot take
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The Incorporated Chamber of
Commerce of Liverpool, Liverpo. 1, 10th January, 1903.
M RCHANT SHI) PING CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE 1899, and AMENDED ORDINANCE 1901, HongrỌNG,
I am directed to inform you that the Council of this Chamber have received a letter from the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce complaining of provisions contained in regulation No. 17 dt the first named Ordinance, and the regulation No. 16 of the am nded Ordinance, whereby shipowners are made liable to the Government for "cost and expenses of passenge ́s who have died, or who have taken ill on board ship, and who have been removed therefrom under the quarantine regulations of the Ordinance on their arrival in Hongkong."
It is stated that the amended Ordinance of 1901 has not yet been confirmed. The Connoll of this Chamber have carefully considered the matter; and consulted the large shipping associations and steamship lines interested. They are strongly of opinion that the principle involved, viz.. of imposing such liabilities on the shipowner in the cas of persons not on the ship's articles, is most unfair, and they trust that steps will be immediately taken with a view to the repeal of the regulation in question. —I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS H. Barker, Secretary.
$
HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL
Secretary of State for the Colonies.
INCREASED FACILITIES For pås engZÉ TRAFFIC ON THE WEST RIVER.
The following letter was read:-
Colonial Secretary's Officë, 23rd January, 1903.
of October last, I am directed to inform you SIR,-In continuation of my létter of the 20th that His Majesty's Consul-General at Canton had reported that the Chinese authorities have agreed to grant additional facilities "för passenger traffic on the West River and thất the following places have ben opened as ports of call:--Do Slug, Yust-Lẳng, Lak To, Luk På, How Lik, Kan Kong, Mab Ning and Yung Kl. Bainam and Nanning have already commence
2. I am also informed that the steamers
calling at these places.—I have, etc.,
The SECRETARY,
F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.
Chamber of Commerce,. The CHAIRMAN said this letter satisfactory commurfcation.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION, The SECRETARY reported that in a requisition dated 10th February
J. R. Michael, W. G. Humphrey, Messrs. Edward Usbornő, G; W
& Co., a special general had been called
p.m., for the purpose
of local currency,
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