Shanghai, 17th January 1900.
Dean Sir,—I now enclose you copy of a Resolution that was passed "unanimously. by the Committee of this Chamber at a recent meeting, regarding the present high rates that are charyed for teleyramsbetw Europe and the Far East and the necessity for a reduction of sun The Committee of this Chamber trast that you will give this matter your prompt and careful attention, for they. are con-inoed that if the rates were redueed to a reasonable limit, the largely increased number of business messages that would then be forwarded would more than compensate your Company for the reduction of charges made.
Tau, Dear Sir, Yours faithfully, Chairman, Manager, Great Telegraph Shanghai.
Resolved—The Connnittee are strongly of opinion that the rates changed for telegrams between the Far vl Earopo are much higher than rant, thereby" hampering this' opinion munications re of Commerce in th tion has been exhvusti dealt with by the Hongkong Chamber, and the following extract from Resolutions on Cable Rates passed by them on the 3rd of October will suffice to show that the mercantile community here have good grounds for complaint.
wipe rate charyed between London and Hongkong is relatively much higher than that ruling for many other countries, as the following figures will show Coventry. Distones (mites). Ton South Australia......12,009 49 Hongkong seveessssees 9,800 Cyprus 3,000 San Francis 26,000 1 6 Malta 2.28) 4
This list does not exhaust. the comparisons, but those sivan will sutlice tu indicate the very great differences existing, Thus, while South Australin is more than two thousand miles further distant from London than Hongkong, the rate thither is 2. per word less, while Cyprus, which is nearly one-third the distance from England, enjoys a rate about equal to one-tenth of that Of the tariff te Hongkong.
Ita, which is over two thousand miles dist England, pays even less, the 4 only 4d. per word. The tariff to Francisco is also proportionately much lower."
The Committee are of opinion that the interests of trade generally a reduction of rates should be made by the Telegraph Companies, and appeal te them to carry into effect at an early date, failing which the Committee are resolved to tak possible means, in conjunction with of Chambers, to bring about reasonable charges for telegraphy in plice, vf the present prohibitive ta 1 similar letter was sent te the Muaneser of the E. B. & A, Td. Ca.) Shanghai General Chamber of Comun Shanghai, 17th Tanuary, 1900.
Dear Sin,—I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 19th December covering copy of a dispatch to the Secretary of State about the exorbitant rates charged for telegrams between Europe and the Far East, which will be read with interest by my Committee.
"Being a cosmopolitan Chamber it is not possible for us to follow the same course that your Chamber has done, but I now enclose you copy of a Resolution on thig
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.