Mr. Soong spoke as follows:
"On behalf of the Bank of China, may T extend you a very warm welcome and express our hearty thanks for your presence on this memorable occasion, "For a number of years our original promises have been Inadenate for the needs of our expanding business, and the construction of our the opinion of many, too long delayed.
"As to the physical features of our Our architects have ftlven to the local press a much-too-Slowing description of its appearance When completed. Without desiring to trench on the poetic licence of the architects, T may'say that our board of directors has adopted as the key Role of the new. building practical nullity combined with dignity' without stitutions are essential. The Bank of China has made vast strides during the twenty-five years of its history, but this progress has been no more noteworthy than that made by many other banks. The development of China is such a vast undertaking that there is room not only for Chinese and foreign banks in China, but lor capital from abroad. "May Take your rescnce at this occasion to symbolize sympathetic ce-operation among our Chinese and foreign contréces In out: common undertaking?
in closing, T wish to say a word about the deeper significance of this occasion. We are laying the corner. stone of our building vat a period when the world has still not yet recovered from the great economic depression. In the political feld, the "On this occasion, several thoughts have come to my mind, which, with your permission, Twill venture to express, First, on behalf of my bank wish to thank our patrons and the eneral public for their unwavering Support. "As Mr, Sung Han-chang has Just said, the Bank of China was organized! at the same time as the establishment of our Republic, the [silver jubilee of which we are every~ where celebrating. During the space of twenty-five years the capital of issue from one million to 380 millions of dollars; loans, from $3,700,000 '716° millions of dollars; and deposits from. three snillions £9 $87 millions of dollars. Our branches have at the /samo time increased from three to 208, Tu laying the cornerstone of the new building, a milestone is erected to mark the generous and constant support of our friends and the general Public; to the Board of Directors and the staff of the bank, a testimonial fs also given that their efforts have been "'recognized. With the better facilities, resulting from the comple-lon of the new. building we trust that we shall be able to render still [better services to the community.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.