H.B.M.'s Chief Justice and Consul General, presided over a numerously attended meeting convened at the instance of Mr. John Macgregor, fyr the purpose of drawing attention ty the advantages of the China Association 5 The Chairman said the meeting a¥ase out: of a communication that a few menibers of. the China Association resident it ed acme time ago, ssu dither toforii a beat he (the Chairman) took the greatest interest in the Association and thought that it might be in many cases of great advantage to British interests China, yet in his official capacity he could not very well take any active position in the matte ight be that they differed from hi 3 the Consulate in their views july be done, and under auch circumstances it might be awkward if he had any prominent position in the Association. It might also be as well that he.should not, take any prominent ction in the matter now, but that he should take the ordinary position of a chairman and leave it to others to discuss the matter.
Mr. John Macgregor said that perhaps some people after reading the advertisement might consider the proposal to form a Iscal association as interfering with the Chamber of Commerce, and that their action might clash. Tt would be the last thing he should do, but it was not impossible that on certain questions it would be desirable for British residents to be able to address the British Government directly, und the Chamber of Commerce, from its constitution, he thought, had no locus standi in addressing the Government direct, and it could only be through an as-lation such as the China Association, Whether the proper thing was tu have local association, independent in " measure from the China Association, or whether they should enrol themselves as members of the parent association it would be for the meeting to say. His own opinion was that they should enrol themselves as members of the parent association and get sume gentleman here to act as corresponding secretary on behalf of the local resident members. Such an appointment would be honorary. When he was at home it was represented to him that there but few the Association in Shanghai, was much sympathy here with the objects of the Association, he could only attribute it to the want of opportunity for affiliating themselves to it.
jo need not tell them the membora of the Association at home took a great interest in the place. It way really quite a trent to see the face of the Hon. Sec. at hom Mr. Gundry, when ho mentioned Shanghai, and all matters comected with' Shanghai and the other ports were watched with interest. On several occasions they had had to ask the assistance of the Association, and their requests had always been well received. The entrance fee to the Association was a guinea, and there annal subscription of @ guinea, Having rend the objects of the Association he prepaved the following resolution *¢ That this meeting recommends British subjects resident in Shanghai to join the China Associntion; and that x legal committee to consist of five members, with an Honorary Secretary, form the local executive Mr. W. V. Drunanond seconded the resolution and referred to the yood work which the Straits Association ad been able to accompli i the local executive here would be likely tu conflict with the Chamber of Counneree, 3 out that it would be very useful to have some local machinery whereby the opinion on any subject of the British community could be ascertained and represented t the authorities at home.
The resolution was put and carded unanimously.
Proposed by Mr. Baird, and seconded by Mr. Brand, resolution was adopted appointing Messrs. Skottowe, Dudgeon, Bois, Drummond and Macgregor as a committee, the appointment of an Hon. See. tobe left to them to determine.
The proceedings terminated with a vote th he ch gives the natural tint a jethbers of a perfect Complexion No"ddubt smooth, supple, healthy, makes, the Skin comfortable. Sulall present would understand that whilst pholine Soap, 6d, Tablets, Everywhere. (4)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.