In view of his departure from Shanghai, the Shanghai General Chamber, of Com: merce on Friday convened a special meeting for the purpose of presenting Mr. E. F. Alford, the ex-Chairman of the Chamber, with an Address as a mark of the Chamber's appreciation of his services. The proceedings took place at the Offices of the Chamber, Kiukiang Road: Mx. W.D. Little Bressrs. Wade Gard'ner, J. Chapsal, A. resided, and amongst those present were
Korf, J. C. Bois, C. Brodersen, J. H. McMichsel, A. Worth (Committee), F. J. Maitland, ©. J. Dudgeon, E. Davies, J. F, Seaman, D. M. Moses,'S. A. Hardoon, R.. Heatn, Komura, J. Henningsen, Inglis, R. W. Little, 0. S. Addis, Vander Stegen, J. L. Scott, J, W. Harding, E. B. Skottowe,-W, S. Jackson, J. S. Fearon, M. Rohde, O. M. Dyce, G. A. Matthews, Max Adler, and Drummond Hay (Secretary).
The Chairman said—Gentlemen, we are met here to-day to say good-bye to one who has been our Chairman for the past three years. Mr. Alford, it was our intention to present'you with an item of Chinese manufacture, that might serve to remind you of Shanghai and the members of the Chamber of Commerce. This souvenir is not yet ready. It was further intended that the Address—-which we are about to offer you—should have been suitably got up and signed by the members, Time has not permitted, but I hope to have the pleasure of forwarding it toyon shortly. Meantime, with your permission, I will read it On the occasion of your going home, the members of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce desire to express appreciation of services rendered Wuring three years of your occupancy of the onerous post of Chairman, During your term of office the power and influence of the Chamber, representative as it is of the cosmopolitan nature of this Settlement, hes been maintaine! and strengthened, and it is largely by your hard work and zeal that the Chamber occupies a. place in the forefront of general efforts, aimed at safeguarding commercial interests, not only in Shanghai but throughout all China, The radical changes which, during the past three years have taken place in China have made your period of office one requiring ex. ceptional vigilance for the protection of foreign trade in this Empire.
The thoroughness of your work in keeping watch upon events in their relation to tr interests it is especially desired to recogni in the farther development of the present complex situation, the loss of your able and valuable services as ce-adjutor is felt by all of us as one which it will be hard to replace.
'We trust, Sir, that you willhavea pleasant voyage home.' In our hearty wishes for your happiness and prosperity in the Future, we desire to include Mrs. Alford and, your family. I fear our words have not adequately expressed our feeling towards you, but I assure you that our wishes are sincere. (Applause.)
Mr. Alford in reply said—Mr. Little, and gentlemen, I do not know how to express my. appreciation of the honour you have done me, or my thanks, for the kind words you have uttered and the souvenir which Tunderstand you are kind enough to present to my wife and myself. When three years ago I was asked to undertake the Chairmanship of this Chamber I did so with much reluctance, because- I: doubted my own fitness for the office, but I may say I was reassured on that point by the confidence shown me by the Committee. I think it is to that confidence and assistance, given me both by the Vice-Chairman and the ot.er members, that the usefulness of the Chamber has been increased, and I hope maintained, rather than from any personal efforts of my own. That there have been periods entailing a sacrifice of time and of labour is, of course, undeniable, but when work is a pleasure to the worker it almost becomes a pastime, and I think the thanks are more due to those who gave me the opportunity of occupying the position rather than to me for the manner in which I have occupied it. I do not know how to thank you, for I feel naturally what is probably the' termination of my career in Shanghai, as I think it is unlikely, except under very exceptional circumstances, I shall return. feel it very difficult to express myself at the severance of the ties of friendship and association which have lasted with me for over thirty-one years. It was in 1867 that I first came out to China and was employed by the firm with which it has been my good fortune to remain and become a partner. Thirty-one or thirty-two years is a lon time to look back upon, and think of the difficulties and, perhaps, one of the first difficulties I recollect was being called into the private office by the senior in Hongkong and told that my handwriting was good enough for a sermon, but I was not paid to spoil the books. (Laughter.) With the aid of a broad pen, however, I overcome the caligraphic difficulty, and I have got over many other difficulties. But I di got come here to mention personal matters of that kind, and I will take the opportunity to again urge upon the Chamber, as I wrote in the memorandum to the Committee, the desirability of: continued support and adhesion to the one body which represents the interests of all nations. It has been a pleasure to me to work on this Committee not only composed of my fellow-countrymen, but composed of men who I' think have become my personal friends, of Ameri. can, French, German, and Russian nationity, and I can look back with satisfaction on the fact that in all our relations during the past three years there has never been one word or one thought which was distasteful or painful to any one of those nationalities. Gentlemen, I really do not know what Ican say more than that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. T appreciate greatly the honour and compliment you have paid me, and I can only trast that the future of the Chamber will continue to be as useful and satisfactory to all interests and all nations. Gentlemen, Tagain thank you. (Applause.)
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.