On Tuesday afternoon a general meeting of members of the China Association was held in the Municipal Council Board Room, Mr. John Macgregor being voted to the chair.
The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he was very nappy to be able to announce that since the issue of the report on the 12th inst., several new members had joined, viz., Messrs. F, Anderson, H. Baker Govellw), Janves Buchanan, R.'M. Campbell, H. J. Clark (Chefoo), John Cooper, P. OF, Lavers, (Chefoo), F. Julian Marshall, Moore, E. Shelli, and J. PB. Wake He thought that that was very satisfactory yoke in the short time since ed and much of that progress was attributable in a great measure to the energetic Hon, Secretary (Clear, hear). The members now numbered 72, and there was 4 credit balance of Tis, 714, Four members of the provisional committee elected for the purpose of organs tion had put themselves in nomination again to serve on the Committee to be elected for the current year. Me. Drammond had declined to put himself nomination, the time at his disposal not permitting him to serve, although he took the greatest tutorest in the Association, and ite objects. The report, necessarily, was not of very great interest, beyond teliing the fuct of the organisation, but it called attention for the incoming Committee to three particular objects which presented themselves to the minds of the outgoing Committee. The Gret was a subject which was of euch great importance tu ull of them, and was constantly before them,—the tion of silver, or gold, whichever they liked to call it, or beth, The Conference at Brussels had separated without arriving at any definite result, ey far as was known, Dut he was not hopeless that the outcome might be something beneficial, So far as he understand it they had simply retired to consult their respective Governments, to meet again in May next. One subject, however, which more immediately concern ed those in China was the proposal te establish a gold basis in India, and close the niiuts to the usual mintage of atlver, That, to his mind, could only be attended with results very prejudicial to the still further East. Of course he did not desire to introduce in any remarks he might make in connection with the hing connected with other countries, and therefore they should confine themselves to Great Britain. Great Britain relied for her greatness on her manufactures and commerce, and it seemed to him that if Grent Britain persisted in the policy she wasat present pursuing she would gradually drive manufactures to the seat of the pre duction of the raw material. That migh be a question of sume time, bu meantime everything wi they saw people at hone ery evils which they were now beginning ts realise, It was essentially a question of currency, and by and by the labourer, the peasant at the plough, and the mechanic would realise that the present condition of things under which he is groaning is the outcome of the currency which interferes with trade and is so. prejudicial to his connection with the outer world. By the last wail which had arrived it could be seen that Agriculture had spoken out with no very uncertain sound, and spoken out very strongly. He thought twas said that the depreciation in the value of landed estates within quite recent years amounted to five hundred millions sterling, and the depreciation in rents from land equalled thirty-four millions sterling. It was a belief among people—he thought he might say the majority of people—that that question was closely allied with the present relative positions of gold and silver. In proposing the report it occurred to him to make these few observations as " reason why the attention of the inc: mittee should very strongly be that important—subject, because thought it was wi kind of legislation proposed would be most fatal and injurious to the value of silver here, and therefore he thought it was a proper subject for the Association to teke up strongly. The ext matter suggested was the difficulty in connection with the registration of laud, and more especially in regard to the delays caused by the Chinese authorities, The general quest was brought to the notice of th Minister ws lo passed through here by a deputation he received most cordially, and whom he promised in every way in his power to endeavour to make' the whole atter of registration work ure effectually than it had in the past in the way of perminence of appointment im the Land Office. Tu a certain sense that would meet the suggestions of the Committee, but the suggestions as made now were more particularly the difficulties in gettit.g the Chinese to act promptly, and with due xtcention te what was reasonable in the transfer of land, The third subject was the curious inequalisy in postage through the British Post Ottice. "He dared say those present w pretty well acquainted with it but by just mention one or two facts, Through British Post: Olfice from here to the Uniced Kingdom evst7 cents per half ounce. They could yo to the French Post Otticc, and by British staumer poet the sume weight of matter fur 25 centimes, which at the present rate of exchange was about 3.60 cents, Another hing was that for half an ounce to Tudia they had to pay 10 cons, as against cents to Europe. That day he had had aletter from Ceylon the sender ut which had put 10 cents of x rupee upon it. As that was just under 5 cents of a dollar so he(Mr. Sacgregor) had to pay 10 Mexican cents for the receipt of the letter. one could go to the American or J.
Post Ollie and post a lett-r to An for half the cost that he could obtai same privilege at the British Post Ottice. Phot he thought was ay absurd anomaly and ought to be remedied, He concluded by proposing the adoption of the report and recounts, Mr. R. Francis seconded. lation to take any action with the right of foreigners to establish hai, and tw take any steps to overcome the Chi The Chai said his own feeling was that that being a matter aflect= ing all foreigners, their friends the Chamber of Commerce might they were entrenching upon the latter's especial duties. ould be very lad to join Comuberce might think right to and it was possible that if the El declined to move in the matter it could be brought to the notice of the Association, Mr. J. Graham said the question lind already been brought up at the Chamber of Conmerce, but xs there had not b particular instance of avy person wi to establish an industry which could be Drought before the Minister nothing had very few days the question will be tested, The Pyrhus was bringing some machinery which was being imported, but the Customs were opposing the landing.
The Chairman—I think lat is the proper way, and I have nut th slightest doubt but you will carry your po Tie report was agreed to. After some conversation it was agreed that che Gommittee should consist of seven names, including the Hon. Secretary. Whilst the voting was proceeding, The Chusirman invited the meeting to say whether they would prefer to adopt some motion calling the attention of the Asso-ion in London to the matier of the sed Indian gold standard, or whether they would prefer that the subject should be dealt with by the new Committee. He personally thought the sooner they did something the better.
Me. Gratam suggested leaving the matter to the new Committee.
Mr. E. J. H gg asked what form the Chairman's proposal would take, The Chairman said he would be prepared to propose something like the following resolution That this meeting request the Associa tion in London to watch all proceedings connected with legislation connected with gold and silver and especially any steps leading to exclusive legislation for India believing that the proposal to establish a gold standard there or closing the mints very prejudicial to the position of silver in the Far Mr. R. M. Campbell whilst regarding the resolution us very satisfactory, yet pointed out that out of the toral membership of the Association in Shanghai there, were nob many present, The question lind already been very closely watched by different bodies having somewhat the sane interests those present, and of course they all knew the exchange banks of India sent in. a requisition to the Government asking them to gives certain undertaking regarding the question of mintage charges on rupees, and the Government declined to give reply. Therefore he thought. they would not g thing by adopting hasty resolution, and it' would be quite time enough if it were left in the hands of the new Committee.
It was announced that the following gentlemen hxd been elected to form the Cowmiittee:—Measrs, 0. J. Dudgeon, J. W.
john Maczeegor, Charles Dowdall, E. B. Skottowe, W. H. Talbot and The Chairman proposed a special vote of thanks to Me, Talbot for the energetic manner in which he had assisted in the organisation of the Association, Mr. Talbot in reply assured the meeting that he had done what he had with the greatest pleasure.
The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.