FOOCHOW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, (Foochow Herald.
A special general meeting' of members of the Foochow Chamber of Commerce was held at the offices of Messrs. Odell and Leyburn on Friday the 12th instant, The following firms were represented, viz.,—Messrs. Gibb, Livington and Ca., Oliver and Ca., Bathgate and Ca., Russell and Ca., Purdon and Ca., Adamson, Bell and Ca., Holliday, Wise and Ca., B. J. Morris and Go., Schénfeld and Ca., Siemssen and Ca., Alex Leith (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), Odell and Leyburn, Gilman and Ca., W, L, Hunter, Davi Sassoon, Sons and Ca., Butterfield and Swire, and Birley and Ca.
Mr. Ovex occupied the Chair, 'The notice convening' the meeting hay ing been read by the Secretary, the Chairman briefly stated that the object of calling the members together was to consider the following proposition, which had been submitted to the Chamber by a deputation of native teamen, viz "Phot all teas shall be weighed within one week after date of purchase; and that payment for the same shall be made within one week after date of shipment."
The Cuamwax concluded his opening; the Chamber had nothing to suggest in remarks by stating that the Committe of
regard to the foregoing proposition, and that it would devolve upon the gentlemen present to deal definitely with the subject.
Mr, Suerranp was of opinion that the question was entirely beyond the functions of the Chamber; they could not collectively deal with a subject that must necessarily Between buyer and seller. remain a matter of private arrangement
Mr. Lerma regarded the proposition as an excellent one, but admitted that there would be great difficulty in attempting to carry it unt. It would, if adopted, be a very effectual means of preventing reckless and dishonest trading, and he was of opinion that, on these grounds alone, it would be to the ultimate advantage of the merenntile community of the port to support the very moderate and reasonable proposal then before the meeting.
Mr. Densten objected to the proposition on the ground that it was impolitic to accord to the teamen the right of dictating terms to foreign buyers. In Shanghai the power of the native Guilds had of late been sufficiently demonstrated, and the same state of things might be brought about here. He agreed with Mr, Sheppard, that the arrangement of terms was entirely a matter of private arrangement between buyers qnd seller.
Mr. Coxe thought that if the proposed system of cash payments was established, a discount on such payments should be allowed to buyers, as was the practice in Canton.
Mr, Taras and Mr. Denwer were both of opinion that the proposal to weigh teas within a week was impracticable. Mr, Opett thought it wes only fair to teamen, especially in a falling market, that purchases should be weighed and inspected og quickly as possible.
The following resolution was then proposed by Mr. Densen and seconded by Mr, Suerranp:—That in the opinion of this meeting the questions submitted by the deputation of teamen are matters entirely between sellers and buyers, and that this Chamber can take no action."
To the foregoing resolution, Mr. Tarra, seconded by Mr. Lerra, proposed the follow= ing amendment "That this meeting approves of the suggestion for fixing some period for payment of teas, but thinks the suggestion as to weighing within a week of purchase will be found impracticable, especially in the case of Australian buyers, The meeting,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.