Guest of, Chinese Banking and Industrial Leaders Mr. W. M. Kirkpatrick, China Representative of the Exports Credits Guarantee. Departuent of the British Government, was the guest of honour at a'dinner'given at the Park Hotel on January 20 by Mr. K.P. Chen, "General Manager, Shanghai Commercial & Savings "Bank, and Dr. P. W. Kuo, Director, Burcou of Foreign "Trade, Introducing Mr. Kirkpatrick to the guests, Dr, Kuy n the presence of such w group of leading bankers and industrialists, is hardly necessary for me to ray much by way of Introditction, for 1 believe" you all know. that Mr. Kitkpatrick has had 9 long and 3 teresting career and "has for many yetrs represented British. commercial ud "Ananelal interests abroad, He was one of the original members of the China Committee in the House of Commons. He is In every way weill equipped for. his new position, "It is my understanding that he purpose of Mr. Kirkpatrick's appoint. ment is to enable a representative of the Export Credits Guarantee Department to examine on the spot proposals submitted to It for consideration, {0 make all necessary investigations and assist in negotiations. In other words, it Is his duty to Investigate credit worthiness of buyers of British goods and to make recommendations {fo his department, The appointment of such an able representative on such as important mission represents a clear expression of British faith and confidence in China and in her future, It is a ree: cognition of the fact that China achieved greater stability and unity in her national life; that she has made great progress in her task of reconstruction; and that she fs on the eve of a great industrial and comme! cial "expansion. It means. also' that British manufacturers are to be given more official assistance in the matter of extending long-term. credits. to purchasers of British woods and that they will thus be able to play a mora important part in China's develop: ment, uch being the case, the appoints ment of Mr, Kirkpatrick to this Im-Portant work will benefit both' China and Great Britain, "It will result: not only in the increase of Sino-British trade, but, also in the promotion of better understanding and in further strengthening the friendly relations Detween these two countries, 1 feo! sure that present wish Mr. Kirkpatrick every success and will extend to him our heartiest ce. operation in every, way.
response, Mr. Kirkpatrick thanked the hosts for the opportunity given him to mest so many financial and business lenders of Shanghai and he expressed the hope that he might come better acquainted with them individually during his stay in Uhl He said he believed that with wu fication already affected, China would progress rapidly in her work of nnatlonal reconstruction, In reading report on China's forelyn trade by Dr. Kuo, he was surprised to find that Chinese cotton yarn is now being ported to India, During his stay India a fow yenrs ago, the reverse was the case. Although the work with which he i entrusted Is along matetlal lines, he believed it would foster better' understanding and cement friendly relations between China and Great Britain, On January 25, Me.' Kirkpatrick. was guest of Dr.' LIH. Kung, the Finance Minister, at the latter's house,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.