AAs part of the general atmosphere of the Conference, itis interesting to note that there was little public ity, little puffing, no. attempt. to attract the galleries, to win diplomatic victories. No effort was made to boost any official of the Ministry of Pinance or any particular delegate. The Chinese press was treated similarly, mimeographed resolutions of the various committees being made public, without too much individual advertising. This something now because, with regard 4 much loss important, questions, columns of individual "pals" avo constantly being handed out by press Mr, Soong and the other members of the Ministry who are to attend fo Financial Conference lett for Nanking on Saturday night, A: this Conference, a practical attempt will be made to turn these resolutions "into a National budget. Success at the Financial Conference depends upon how many provinces are represented, how many of those which now fly the Nationalist fa Mr. Soong's Speech At the close of the function, says Kuo "Min News "Agency, the Ministey of Finance, Mr.
Soong, after thanking the members on behalf of the Government for their earnest.efforts during the conference, said:—
"During the ten days of your conference you have Inid down most important principles for the] economic rehabilitation of the country. You have discussed: ways and means for the disbandment of surplus troops, limitation of military expenditure, creation of a strong contract bank, unification of national currency, strengthening of national credit, regulation of bank-note is abolition of likin, and many other matters almost. too numerous anention. Tu no uncertain terms you have: to-day also sent a cireul angry thu couriy srg the uuniflention of national final Ser gertionens are achievers you may well be proud of, An Apt Ilusteation "There may be a feeling that as almost every one of the resolution you have pasted is of such far-reaching importance, it ' too much hope that you could have come to sound conclusions during these ton brief days. This reminds us of the story of an eminent surgeon who once charged a wealthy man a huge sum for a delicate medica) operation. 'The patient protested at Having to pay such a high feo for an operation which had only lasted few minutes. 'You are mistaken, ty. friend,' retorted. the surgeon, you only know that the operation Tnnted a fow minutes, but you do not realize that in order to perform the' operation in a few minutes. have had to forgo tobacco for twenty years' Your Conference indeed tasted only ten days, but you bankers and business men have been experiencing years and years of misery from the misrule of militarists and politicians and the bondage of unequal treaties. Your resolutions are, indeed, not the work of ten days but decades of hard Tessons and bitter experiences, Coming People's Conference "The calling of the People's Conference, ofdered by the Will of our late Leader, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, is an event which the Governniont wishes, to carry out as soon as possible, but one must realize the difficulty of convening a really ro-presentative conference of the people in-a.short while. Therefore, until the Conference could. be convened, the Government is anxious to consult popular wishes whenever they can be clearly expressed. You gentlemen represent the propertied class, the wealth of the motion, but your decisions have been throughout marked by the broad consideration of national interests rather than by sectional or class interest. Therefore,.in.aécepting your recommendations and resolutions, I, representing the Government, desire to state wit earnestness that. your wishes, will be given: the utmost consideration and. further consulted when: possible.
"Lastly;, I. must. state: that whether' your proposals; remain lis execution is a responsibility devolving largely upon yourselves. Through the Standing Committee you elected this morning, this Conference will, after its formal ing, be enabled to advise the Government in putting into practical effect the measures you have brought forward. The Ministry of Finance will loyally support your views, and if you will only realize that eternal vigilance is the price lof liberty,' our Conference will pro-[duce startling results for our country"
'Mr. Chang Shou-yung Minister, who has with the finances of Chekiang and jangsu for over 30 years, then' spoke.
After paying a high tribute to Mr. Soong Mr. Chang made an inspiring plea to the members of the Conference to give strong support, normal and otherwise, to those in charge of the country's finances 80 that the resolutions adopted by the [Conference might be carried out and the country put on the right track toward progress and reconstruction, Conference Closely Watched Many delegates then spoke, among. whom were Mr. Vu Yahching and Mr, Yang Chien, Vice-Chancellor of the National University Council Mr, Vu called attention to the fact that foreigners as well as the whole people have been watching with intense interest the progress of the Conference; and he expressed the sincere hope of the delegates present that the Minister of Finance Would see to it that the resolutions Jadopted by them be put into practice, particularly those calling for the immediate disbandment of soldiers. On behalf of the dele-ates, he pledged wholehearted support to the Government in carrying out the policies outlined by the Conference. The Conference was then-officaily declared closed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.