Jan. 4.
The Knighthood of the Order of the British Empire
on Mr. F. W. Maze, on. the conferred. by His Majesty occasion of the New Year, will be regarded as a graceful compliment to the Government of China as well as an appropriate recognition of distinction Jgained by " British subject in the service of a foreign State. His Majesty's loyal subjects, of whatever political complexion, warmly congratulate the:
[Customs Administration at a high pitch of efficiency. There has recently been a change of government at Nanking. It is not likely to differ from its preldecessor's view of Sir Frederic! work. In the last two years the [Customs Administration has twice been involved in the unfortunate politico-military differences of this country—first in the North and, only lately, in the South. Both the late Government and the men who are now helping to form the present Government showed themselves) fully sensible of the need for keeping the Customs aloof from domestic dissensions. They gave practiex! proof of that conviction leven at some cost to their own party jvstige, although, of course, the decision gave them prestige of a more permanent land estimable character. In this [they were obviously displaying [great confidence in the nonpolitical head of the service Foreigners, as well as Chinese, recognise that the Customs Administration is a stable entity in the midst of much that is fluctuating and unstable. It is the fervent hope of all that, when the process of the revolutionary period has been completed, China be able to look toa po manent civil service for the manning of her administration from top to bottom. The day may be far distant; it may be nearer than most people dare to think, The existence of the Customs service in the meantime is a guarantee that a model can be found as soon as conditions Justify abandonment of the admittedly unsatisfactory system of making civil service posts the spoils of political victory. Sir
head of the Maritime Customs Frederick is been at the at a time of many and rapid changes in the political thought, lof the country.
He has been fable to. adapt the King delights 10 policy to the needs of China and honour. The British in China|yet to ensure that the essential will tender congratulations to Sir integrity of his service has been Frederick Maze associating kept unimpaired. Like Sir Robert Lady Maze with their sentiments Hart, "he has held to the—and, at the same time, reserve view that the Inspector-General to themselves a mensure of zatis-derives his authority solely from! faction in the thought that the the Government of China to ward may be taken as recognise whom he is the expert adviser; prices, ing the value to Great Britain of jand servant.
In this wise con-the work of her sons and daughtduct of his dificult charge he: ers in this distant part of the has been rewarded by seeing his world. The fount of honour great department kept clear of cannot flow as freely here as on polities by the express direction British soil. Special discrimina-Jot the political years of the tion and not a little diffidence Nor is there any must be observed in directing it. reason to believe in view of the' into the midst of an international tradition thus community.
Nevertheless, it is any future Government, seeking a often felt that the work of man; reputation for sanity and sound Britons in China receives. lo judgment, would otherwise recognition than is its due or: Jordain. To those who know the' would, in fact, actually accrue significance of the different, within the Empire itself. Apart, Orders of Knighthood it is plain therefore, from the feeling that a that this aspect of his services well-deserved Knighthood has is being specially noted in the, been bestowed, there is the hope honour on which he is now re-that a more attentive eye will be ceiving well-earned congratula-east by the King's advisers in|t} us. The Royal Victorian entertained. The Government future on achievements in China. intend to proceed in the mean-'This consideration takes into time with the normal procedure account not merely the merits of tur the conduct-of the Round the work recognised but also the Table Conference's tuvestigadirect compliment paid to the us which are implied in the nation in association with which forthcoming visits of three ex-that work is performed, pert and authoritative ¢om-Delicacy must be felt by any mittees from England, It is not Government in deciding to to be expected that Indian politi cians, even though not of the honour one of its nationale. in service of another. The Gandhi school, will be enamour-British Government, in recomed of the exercise of the rostral ing power of the executive. B. -|mending the King to confer the on Mr, Maze, were anxious However strongly they may to show the friendliness of their realise that such steps are evitable they ap] ites 2F° feelings towards the Government ar—judging lin whose service he has success-
Order rewards personal services to the King. The Most Excellent: Order of the British Empire is similarly detached from political land official associations.
Tt may) be looked upon as_ testifying to personal services to the Empire. And in giving such long loyalty. to the friendly Government, of China, Sir Frederick has rendered those services in a very real To his Government and his department as a whole a nightly honour ts thus happily paid, from past experience—to be utterly unable to come out boldly into the open and support the Government. Perhaps "some of the returned delegates from London may have suftici courage but too much reliance should not be placed on that possibility. The authorities have ample means at their disposal for preventing Congress mischief to attain to unmanageable proportions. They seem inclined to avail themselves of them. No-one fully laboured. They could fortunately be under no isapprehension on the subject.
Less than a month ago, the then! Minister of Finance, in dix report that the Japanese authorities intended to. seize the Customs in Manchuria, bluntly observed:
"The Maritime Customs ie the principal "credit instrument Gh. which of only China bat Foreign Powers. look upon with the greatest solicitude"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.