The unsatisfactory position exist ing in regard to rents and mortgages in Shanghai; the importance of having. consular representation at Changsha; and arising out of the hostilities: questions such as the occupation of British property by the Japanese areas north of the Soochow Creek; the diMeulties encountered in the removal of cargo from the wharves in the north-eastern dis tricts; the need for ce-operation between the British and the American and French communities Shanghai In view of the importance of the matters involved, a China Liason Committee was formed, with representatives from the China Association, London, the Federation of British Industvies, and the Bradford, London and Manchester Chambers of Commerce, The basis for the making of claims for damages arising out of hostilities was discussed with the Foreign Ofice; other matters dealt with being: connection with rialing of cargo ated to other ports; the calling ocean Liners at Shanghai.
We are Indeed fortunate in having with us this afternoon the Chairman of the London Committee, Mr. Warren T trust that he may favour us few remarks as to the point of view taken by those at home.
live in troublous times. indeed and what the fulure holds in store for Us oF how the constitution of this International Settlement or indeed the charter for this whole area may be modified by the present so drastically changed, circumstances who indeed can say? That the basis of govern ment of this whole area is capable of improvement no one can gainsay. Let us only hope that those who have their power to reshape the destinies of Shanghai speaking in its broadest sense may' be guided wisely and not be afraid to handle a prob Jem admittedly complex, with frm= ness and real foresight and thus avoid 44 repetition of the indecision and lack International Statesmanship Visible in 1932 and for which we have to thank the horrors of 193%, Following Mr. Massey, Mr.
Swire, Chatman of the China Asst ciation London, spoke in part ax follows:—
Speech by te, G. Warren Swire, It is very kind of you to allow me to say a few words at your Annual Meeting, and while T am very glad to take advantage of it T won't take too much of your time, "You here have had a very dimeult six months with conditions changing every day. fand though T can assure you we at home have shared fully in your anxieties, we have not had the ea stant strain of having to dear with things from day to, day.
'AS Tsay, 1 won't keep you long. bout there is one matter which T have always had very mulch at heart. seems to me stich a pity and waste of effort that there should be so many bodies representative of British in-forests in Shanghai and the Far East. Tt seems to me obvious that one must be able to yet better work out of one organization as the British represent= ative out here than out of three, whether it be to mobilize the vote for the Runieipal Council or to make presentations to the British author! would result an all round gain of strength and influence?
T believe it is said that the China Association represents only the big firms and. disregards too much the feelings and wishes of people whose control is out here and not in London Tean't remember, though you probably do, the exact arrangement, but {oy some time past we have speciiieal-I kept some places on the Committee for representatives of local China interests and, as you know, more than tone man on retirement from China has been asked to serve (Continued on pa
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.