London, May 6, 'The year 1996 was "the most useful and hopeful for industries and trade In China since the Great War,' declared Mr. D. G. M. Bernard, tue chairman, at the annual meeting to-ay of the British and Chinese Corporation, Ltd.
Chinese statesmen, merchants and bankers, he said, had addressed themselves to the task of setting their Nouse In" order with praiseworthy energy and a measure of success, affording grounds for encouragement.
Mr. Bernard drew attention to the satisfactory clearing up of loans in default. The effect, he asserted, had been to re-establish China's credit to point where she may again hope fo, borrow on reasonable terms.
The chairman paid a warm tribute to the Chinese Railway Minister's energetic and businesslike control, and the personal attention he had Biven to the financial condition, of With reference to further financing enterprise in China, Mr, Bernard mentioned the four dimcuities of the British Treasury ban on foreign loans, obligations of the Washington Treaty, the Consortium Agreement, and threat of political unrest. None of these difficulties be believed could rot be overcome by patient negotia-
"Phe chairman, in conclusion, drew attention to recent moves the Airection ota Sino-Japanese rap "Generally speaking" he said, mere is now growing' eoaidence business and ancial circles regard Ing' prospects in China'—-Reuler.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.