"My. Ziar, Members of the Chinese Advisory Committee and Gentlemen:—In rising to propose the health of our guests I am optimistic enough to feel that this social reunion will produce happy results, that it is ihe beginning of a better understanding between us, and I trust it will be looked upon as a favourable opportunity to remove any false impressions, and to promote that spirit of ce-operation in Municipal. affairs, of which we hear so much and see so little.
"Tt is now over 18 months since the Chinese Advisory Committee came into existence. As you are aware its mission is a twofold one. In the first place it is expected to assist the Council in matters affecting the welfare of the Chinese community. In the second place, and by far the most important part of its mission, it is expected to give the Chinese an opportunity of studying Municipal! affairs from a Western point of view, so that in due course Chinese stake their place as our colleagues representatives would be able to
on the Council. It is a matter for regret that up till now little or no progress has been made in the furtherance of either of these two objects, and the time has come when it is necessary to examine carefully the reasons for this failure, and if possible _make a fresh start fully determined that our objects shall be fulfilled.
"Speaking quite frankly,. an atmosphere of suspicion on both sides is largely responsible for the poor results. The Chinese are still inclined to lock upon foreigners as people who came and settled here by force, in other words they Jock upon: them as invaders.
"Gentlemen, your minds need not be agitated on this score as an aggressive policy towards Chinese is out of-the question. I woul ask you rather to dwell on the many proofs of friendship towards China on the part of foreigners, so recently evidenced by the Washington Conference, which has resulted in the decision to hand back Kiaochou and Weihaiwei, and abolish foreign Post Offices in China.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.