1 tried to make some enquiries us to what was the procedure on these occasions and I was told, 1 believe, 'a senior member of your Committee that I was -supposed to be funny and make you laugh. That Jcame as a great shock, quite apart from the fact that it is hardly my, nature. 1 had lived under the impression that It was os improper to be frivolous on an occasion of this, kind as it might be, say, to retail Rabelaisian stories to an audience of [Scotch elders.
feel, therefore, that I cannot face that particular prescription, 1 was old, however, at the same time that must be brief, and that instruction I propose to follow. My speech must be extremely parochial, "probably egotistical, which I fol "is a sad falling off from the Imperial speech which has been given to you by your President, whose wide knowledge and experience of Imperial affairs has particularly fitted him for the re~ marks that he has made to-night, My remarks, I take it, must be connect. Jed with that, small in size, part of the British Empire which is known fas Hongkong. I should not presume to talk to this audience on the gen-loral Chinese position, which still continues to be sufficiently disturbing, but T feel that most of you know fat least as much, if not more than, do. I therefore crave your indul-{gence should my few remarks appear fo be somewhat egotistical and parol
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.