Chairman's: Survey of a Troublous Year: Need of Closer Relationships Between Foreigners and Chinese: Chamber's Educational Activities The annual general mitering of the British Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai, was held at the Shanghai Club on Thursday afternoon, Mr. H. W. Lester presiding over a good assembly. Supporting Mr, Lester were Mr. Sidney Barton, c.itc., Consul-General and Pre: sident of the Chamber, Mr. J. F. Brenan, H. M. Vice-Consul, Messrs. H. E. Arnhold, ©. G. 8." Mackie, Brig. Gen. EH," Macnaghten, C.16., 0.8.0, P. W. Massey, W. J. Monk, F. R.'Scott, G. W. Sheppard, H.R. Shaw, A. H. George and P. Campbell, the Acting Secretary.
Reviewing' the work accomplished during the Inst year, the Chairman said in part—T have the honour to present t3 you to-day the Lith annual report of the British Chamber of Commerce; the year under review has been a most unfortunate one for British trade in China, and having, learnt the lessons which these misfortunes have taught us I am sure that we shall be glad to forget it soon us possible. The incident of May 30 and all its consequence: have been already fully dealt with at special meetings of this Chamber ani it only remains for me to say that your Committee believe the resolution regarding Chinese representation on the Council and the rendition of the Mixed Court which was passed at a special meeting of this Chamber on August 31, 1925, roved of very material assistance in settling the strike and raising the boycott, This resolution was the first definite and public expression of opinion that the British Commercial Community or for that matter any foreign commercial com. munity have made in favour of Eh ese representation on the Council and rendition of the Mixed Court. I mention this fact to-day because believe that all those who voteil in favour of it at that meeting and the few who voted against it have become impressed by the necessity of the closest possible ce-operation between foreigners and Chinese we are to live and trade together in harmony in Shanghai in. particle: and China generally. The attitude of our own Government is definitely and unquestionably one of conciliation and I venture to state that in my opinion and in the opinion' ct your Committee it should be the aim of the British Comaereial Com. munity in Shanghai to give a lead to its own Government and the Chinese in the reforms and concession which must inevitably come in the Government of Shanghai; and in this endeavour I feel sure we can any rate count on the friendly advice and assistance of the Chinese Commission is functioning under the mo: t difficult conditions, and the British Boxer Indemnity Commission seeks to find the best way to devote the remitted portion of the Indemnity to those purposes for which the China Indemnity Bill makes provision,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.