Shanghai, Mar, 27. GEARDED optimism as regards the immediate future in China was expressed by Mr. P, H. Bordwell, Chairman. yesterday when he addressed members of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce at the annual meeting of that body held in Messrs. Beck & Swan's office, 17 The Bund, During his speech Mr. Bordwell dealt with the innumerable difficulties which had beset foreign] business interests during the past year, especially in the Treaty Ports, the formation of a new government under Mr. Wang Ching-wei and the promised reopening of the Yangtze as f as Nanking. He referred to the railway situation in China, in which, he stated, there had been no improvement as regards the foreign bondholders, and the conservancy question in Shanghai, In his references Mi Bordwell paid tribute to the recuperative powers of the Chinese and the tenacity and courage showed by merchants and traders generally.
Although there were dark days ahead, he had every confidence in the future of Shanghai and in the future of China as a factor in international commerce. enuemens before. commencing, the his speech the Chairman slates Seneret Nhe, meeting 1 with. 10 Ses opportunity on behalf of the' com and och tree behalf of Meret that Me," Boon Facet Winery owing to hi dee Peele efom Shatghal of sick teave Joe realgn the ehaimanmin of the un wishing him' speedy F0- arsbee ang 1 know you wil
fRe gri annual meeting of the turn oot heath
cotter sou chairman remarked Grete Toney an courage shown 2 ARE foreign and Chinese. business Exammunlig oF, Shanghai and ber Fen pets n meeting the tnnemer Treet4 eaticy and problems. which heme is aru that Ili oran sens ut any rate there hoe bec tone teration "ouring. the, Dest TWetre months in the lifelics Fentiguone referred to-although ths rei ely be aid be the case In Wdnuin: Nanking, Canton, Amioy and riy otner places-chut 1 am inclined Wollve: that whatever improve tent tu trading conditions has even WeSteaia due tothe. fet that the fon andchnese buses trun in the Treaty Ports are now Inoroushiy: hardened o adversity tov stapes il entry om through anything. the course of the past six months. The high level of 32544 for prices Of commodities affecting native labour twas reached in: the month of January, 1010, compared with the bose gute of 10) for 1096. Fortunately there have been no serious labour disturbances due, apparently, to the fact that. gradual adjustment has taken place in rates of pay, and high cost bf living and rice allowances. have been introduced. "It cannot be said, however, that the situation in this respect can be regarded with equanl-
'The situation requires the most careful attention of all concerned and particularly' the local authorities, whose urgent duty It would appear be to curb profiteering and any attempts at the artificial bolstering of prices. There are many. difficulties be' overcome before an effective curb can be put on profiteering, but this' should not prevent the author!~ ties (rom adopting the most energetic measures "which We within their power, and itis gratifying to note {that the two local foreign administra Mons have taken steps to that end, whilst the Mayor of the Shanghai City Government. has suggested the adoption of strong measures against offenders.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.