Gen. Chang Chun said:—
It affords me great pleasure to have the opportunity this evening, to extend to the members of the British Economic Mission our sin-feere greetings and hearty welcome upon their visit to China made with the purpose of promoting} Sino-British trade and cementing the already cordial relations sub: sisting between there two countries. It will be recalled that, about three weeks ago, the City Government held a similar funetion in honour of the Canadian Trade Mission while I was in conference at Nanking. Therefore, 1 am especially happy this evening to be able to welcome you in person, Ever since the conclusion of the: European War, the world has undergone great economic changes. The different countries. of the worl! have all row to seek new markets abroad in order to solve such pro-Dlems as over-production and un+ employment. The object of the British Economic Mission under the Ieadership of Sir Ernest Thompson, Tunderstand, is to inquire into trade conditions in the Far Eas', the tendered of their future deve. Topment and the Chinese points of view concerning Sino-British trate in the hope that its previous emin-ion may be restored. Such 'a mission is, indeed, very important and no wonder everyone looks upon it as heralding a new epoch in the history of Sino-British commercial relations, According to the Customs re: turns published this year, it apyears that trade between China and Great Britain, as well as the Bi ish Dominions and colonies, apart from Horgkorg, still maintains its own. Dzring the year of 1920, for instance, the total volume of to China formed 21.6 of the entire quantity from various countries combined, reas the figure of!
1928 was only 19.6 Tus value of goods ox-China to Great year of 1022 was es mated at Haikuan Tis, 38,507,387 drug that was increased to Haikuan] is, 74,994,237 in 1929. The con modities imported from Great Bi ain to China in the year of 1 was valued at Haikuan Tis, 11 148,969 which amount, while show. Sng some decrease "as compared. with the Ggures of 1922, 1925 ani 1924, exceeded that of 1927 by Haikuan Tls. 44,076,575, In fact. Yoth in iraports) and exports, the situation is very encouraging. ys, there is a great demand for British comm ities. At the present moment of national recarstruction, when the desire to bulld up modern cities and to remodel the old ones is pari mount in the mind of the autharities concerned and serious tempts have already been made in this conreet such goods "We realize," said Mr. Wild, "mainly from authoritative writers, that you have a problem to deal with which concerns what is really steel, iron bars, corrugated" iron Sheets, ete, have always found ai Stmplex of races, of cognate tye, sheets, chee Bae Pie-e Sontire Lo express the hope that goods, textile machinery and ti ye have row attained such a contion of comparative peace zs will plates are also in great demand, ble your revenue to be devot-ard the Chinese consumers gener-ed to the creation and utilization ally look to Great Britai for the of the best modern means of tran supply of them. Ai cial sik produced by the British manufacportation ard communications, By these means, and these alone, you turers has proved to be very po-will, in effect, so reduce the dispular by reason of its excellent tance which separates your people. quality and low prices and indica-in the several provinces of your: tions are that a very much greater country as will enable them to be quantity will yet be consumed Drought in closer contact one with China, another #md welded into a united As regards China's exports people of a great nation."
Great Britain, "we may mention beans, eggs, albumen and general Mr. Wild referred to the great agricultural products, which Brit changes that had taken place i ish exporters are very much in-Nanking and, in doing so, he made terested in. This year, the soya plea that the Chinese people bean market in Manchuria has bees would not do away entirely with jourishicg and with the ex: their designs, their arts and their ly good crops harvested rehitecture and he was glad to say season, the quantity exported that, in the new Miristry of Com: to the various European countries munications in Nanking, there was. has increased tremendously. Are: 'a happy combination of the two. vival of the bristle trade is also "Our terms of reference are to reported ard in recent years, the inquire into trade rel exportation of bean oils, coarse] (j morals, salt, flavouring versa and-we are all prepared to te, has shown a marked Icterpret euch terms in the broad: increas est sense possible. Agscttled ant In thort, with our large popula. peaceful China can supply Britain tion., the purchasing power of the and the British Empire with much Chinese people as a nation cannot of the food and raw materials we be over-estimated. China, being requote and we hope that you will agricultural country, has a greater rot even lose sight of that phase need for industrial goods than any of our inquiries and activities. You, other country. On the other hance. in turn, will require for a long. she can supply a great deal of what time, much in the way of manna: your people want by means of het tured goods ard we hope, by a con-Abundant natural resources. Thus, stant and carefal study of your re-she will prove herself to be a very quirements, by offering the very important ard powerful economi: best value obtainable, to secure ally with any. country which cares fair and substantial portion of your to deal with her on a basis of equal orders," said Mr. Wild. "I siceerelity and reciprocity. ly hope that wherever and whenever:
ness men should sot be mad> Britain is required to collaborate for the blunders of shor with you in the opening up and im-Tuternation provement of your wonderful na-without me tion, you will always find us ready ternational goodwill. Therefore, and willing and will never have Jet whatever obstacles stand in the serious cause of complain of the way of our complete mutual under. treatment on services rendered." standing and bar the better deve lopment of our trade relations be removed and Sino-British econom!
Another Chinese Welcome relations will have a bright future.
Members of the British Economic To this end, gentlemen, we must Mission were entertained at a recep-rely upon your practical busin tion held in the residence of Mr. J. tense and, I am sure, you will] 1 Rue Ratard on Dece: agree with me that this will fort ber 10, the hosts being Mr. 8. the most important: part of you Zau, director of the Shanghai office mission. -Jof the Ministry of Industry, Con "A toast proposed to the merce & Labour, and Mr. S. the Mission was heartily drunk, Chen, director of the Shanghai office after which Sie Ernest Thompson, lof the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. chairman of the Mission, proposed 1 large gathering prose tone in reply to the Mayor.
In ex-Chang Chun, Mayer pressing his sorrow over the sad eh. Lia Chis mishap which occurred in connection Ssu das with China's efficient Be together with the loss of life, Sir Ernest said the Mis ion hoped for Gen. Hsiung Hsi-hui covery:
said he wished to thank] the Mayor for his invitation and for Haute, Belgian Consul-General: " Mr. the great interest he took in the] EH. Greenman," Duten Consul Mission. They knew from his!
'G. Kwok Box, director speech that Gen.
Chang Chun had had mage a ye careful study of trade between Britain and they agreed On Ca, had said respecting nan of the Greater Shanzha about trade not only General Chamber of Commerce Britain and China but between Gerrard, Commissioner of the ies, and Sirs, Gerrards Me. Id. Hi. MIN. Commercial Counsellor:
The M Sileererays,. Counsellor of only Great Britain but they wished fan Lezation: tr. Verbian, to help China's trade with Byitain General Manuel Piedra Martel, Cuban and hoped to take part in reballding Minster to China, and others. China in that respect. The In welcoming' the guests, Mr. was great and it ad to be tackled said:—International trade is largely in a spirit of good AL. Sir Erne, matter of "give and take." In the concluding Ly expressing the hope realm of commerce, ce-operation is that the bonds between the tio the keynote of success. It is a countries wudd be greatly strength source of great gratification to note ened, then called on Mr.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.