Vol. VIII. No. 91. 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
[July, 1902.] 
i93 
cent. ; exports showed a decrease of 37 per cent., but about 
four-fifths of the diminished value of our exports was represented 
by the drop in the price of coal. There were no indications of 
decline in the general prosperity of the country. That our 
ancient and noble capital held its own as a financial and 
commercial centre was shown conclusively by the returns of 
the Bankers’ Clearing-house. The clearances in 1901 amounted 
to £9,561,169,000, being an increase over the previous year of 
67 per cent. Certain trades might have been prejudicially 
affected in 1901 ; but, on the whole, the commerce of the country 
had been more active and remunerative than might have been 
expected in the adverse circumstances caused by the w T ar in 
South Africa. 
Nor was the position otherwise than satisfactory in the four 
opening months of 1902. Taking a broad view, there was full 
justification for confidence that, in any competition on even 
terms, we were well able to hold our own as an industrial 
people. The British Government had not given to private 
industry and enterprise that helping hand which had been 
extended in Germany. Contractors had been subjected un- 
relentingly to the hard conditions of open competition. The 
prices paid had too often been unremunerative. In the long 
run losses to contractors meant loss to the Government. Care 
had not always been taken to maintain a continuity of orders, 
and costly machinery provided for Government work had stood 
idle. A great captain of industry had been better treated at 
Essen. When we compared results, it could hardly be said 
that open competition had done more for the public advantage 
in England than regulated monopoly in Germany. If a big 
effort were needed, the German Government commanded 
Krupp’s splendid resources and his army of 45,000 workmen, 
highly trained and skilled. No such concentration of power 
could be found in any single establishment in the United 
Kingdom. These remarks applied only to the needs of the 
State in a time of emergency ,‘ for ordinary purposes of trade 
our workers in iron and steel were second to none. 
With regard to the Atlantic shipping combine, he said that, 
contributing four-fifths of the passengers and a large proportion 
of the merchandise, it was certain that sooner or later some 
movement similar to that which Mr. Pierpont Morgan had 
initiated would be brought about by the people of the United 
States. Let us not lose our national dignity in unavailing and 
groundless alarms, but rather calmly and confidently face the 
new conditions with which we had to deal. Our position as a 
maritime nation was assured beyond the reach of competition. 
We had gained our position, and would hold it against all 
comers, because W'e built ships more cheaply and, with or 
without foreign crews, sailed them more cheaply than any rivals. 
It was only in relation to the special type of ocean greyhound 
that we had reason to be apprehensive of foreign competition. 
The Deutschlands, Majesties , and Lucanias w r ere costly to build 
and more costly to work. It was only in the Atlantic trade, 
and in the busiest season, that such ships could yield a return 
to their owners unaided by subsidies. If, in consequence of 
Mr. Pierpont Morgan's combinations, we had to surrender any 
considerable portion of the trade hitherto carried under the 
British flag, some action must be taken. 
The representatives of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, 
and other colonies were about to meet under the presidency of 
Mr. Chamberlain. Under such a statesman it was not likely 
that the question of ocean subsidies would be neglected. It 
was our bounden duty to see to it that the ships which carried 
His Majesty's mails to all the outlying parts of the Empire 
were second to the ships of no other country. At the conference 
to be held at the Colonial Office, the possibility of an Imperial 
Customs Union would probably be considered. It was a 
subject which bristled with difficulties, and the solution might, 
perhaps, be long delayed. We were nearer to the people of 
the United States than we were a century ago. Our relations 
with our colonies had never been so greatly valued on both 
sides as they were to-day. 
COLONIES. 
Natal (Durban). — At the 46th annual meeting of this 
Chamber, held on March 13, the chairman, Mr. J Dick, in 
moving the adoption of the report, said : — The expansion of 
trade in 1901 has been unparalleled in the history of the colony, 
but the presence of the army as a factor influencing trade 
returns makes it necessary to draw deductions with caution. 
Exclusive of transports, there were entered inwards 787 British 
ships of 1,654,000 tonnage, and 158 foreign ships of 171,000 
tons. The corresponding figures for 1898 are 420 British ships 
of 791,000 tons and 270 foreign of 472,000 tons. The com- 
parison is satisfactory from every point of view. We imported 
goods to the value of ,£8,000,000 sterling from Britain and the 
colonies, and to the value of £1,500,000 from other countries. 
The value of articles which the collector states are imported, 
but might be produced in the colony, is £1, 500, 000. Again, 
we exported nearly £1, 500, 000 to the Transvaal from open 
stocks, against £1,000,000 in transit — significant figures. 
Exports by sea total ,£2,000, 000. The change in the per- 
centages of importations from British colonies as compared 
with foreign countries — 8 and 25 of 1897 becoming 16 and 16 
respectively in 1901 — are gratifying. We buy from foreign 
countries what we can get advantageously to ourselves— 
certainly not as a favour to them — and the temper which would 
advocate that, in order to punish them because they abuse 11s, 
we should refuse to buy from them is hardly the spirit in which 
to approach so intricate a subject as that of a preferential tariff 
for British and Colonial goods. The proposal can fortunately, 
however, be put forward on other grounds. We may elect to 
face commercial retaliation, to introduce an indeterminate 
disturbing element into international trade, to use dearer and 
worse goods than are obtainable in the world’s markets, and to 
tax ourselves, all in order that we may benefit the other 
members of the Empire and move a step towards the ideal of 
an Imperial Zollverein ; and if we spend blood and treasure 
for the general good of the Empire, it may be possible to justify 
the sacrifices which will be entailed by the adoption of a 
preferential tariff. The question, however, has not been 
thought out by the colony, and any hasty decision is to be 
deprecated. 
During the year a committee was appointed by the 
Governor to consider certain correspondence from Mr. Cham- 
berlain regarding measures which may be taken to further 
British trade. A commercial intelligence branch has been 
established in London in intimate connection with the Board 
of Trade ; and, among other recommendations, the committee 
suggested that the Collector of Customs should be appointed as 
an officer in Natal, through whom communications on all 
matters pertaining to trade might be carried on between the 
Bureau and mercantile bodies or merchants in Natal. 
The pressure of military demands affects the commerce of 
the colony at many points, and its results are so far-reaching, 
through so many different channels and agencies, as to escape 
recognition in their ultimate operation. The more obvious 
consequences have been the congestion at the port and on the 
railways. While we all willingly and gladly acknowledge that 
military necessities have the first call on the resources of the 
colony, 1 think that at the port the consideration which was 
possible has not been given to the interests of civil trade by the 
military authorities. Berthage, sheds, and wharf spaces have 
not, it seem to me, been turned to the best account consistent 
with that regard for civilian traffic which was practicable under 
the circumstances. As a large force will be in the country for 
a long time to come, it is not unreasonable, I think, to ask that 
the War Office should establish stores away at the Point 
instead of using sheds and wharf spaces for warehousing and 
depositing military supplies. 
As steamers have been lying three deep at the wharves, the 
necessity for more berthage accommodation has become im- 
perative, and attention is being given to the plans of the 
engineer for the improvement of the inner works. His proposal 
for a line of wharves parallel to St. Paul's wharf is the subject 
of criticism, as being likely to cause congestion of railway and 
trolley traffic at the outlet near the Cold Storage Works, and 
also as diminishing the available waterway in the bay. A 
project has been announced for developing the head of the bay 
by private enterprise, and in the meantime the intention of the 
Durban Corporation to use their land beyond the Albert Park 
appears to hang fire. The course adopted of putting before 
Sir Charles Hartley certain plans for approval or modification, 
instead of asking for his recommendation in detail for the best 
utilization of the whole of the bay, has, perhaps, been un- 
fortunate ; but, as there seems to be a likelihood of a party 
warfare on engineering subjects, which can never satisfactorily 
be solved by politics, I venture to suggest that it is not too late 
yet to invite Sir Charles to visit the colony again and draw out 
a scheme to make the best use of all the possibilities inherent in our 
harbour. The probable growth of the port in the near future 
can better be realised now than was possible even a year ago, 
and a review of the whole position by Sir Charles Hartley could 
not fail to be of value. 
The schemes for dealing with the large tonnage expected to 
arrive at the port are associated with the question of the 
provision being made for carrying the goods up-country ; for, 
after all, the through traffic to the Transvaal will be the main 
factor in our trade. The question of the construction of an 
alternative line, or of the duplication of the present railway, is 
about to become the most important subject for the decision of 
the colony. The railways will, we are assured, be in a position 
by the end of the year to carry a million tons per annum to the 
Transvaal, that is during 1903, when development in the 
Transvaal will have, let as assume, begun in earnest. The 
largest tonnage carried in any one year before the war over the 
Natal railways to the Transvaal, let me remind you, was under 
200.000 tons, and the total tonnage taken into the Transvaal in 
any year from the Cape ports, Natal, and Delagoa Bay was 
601.000 tons. Our railways will, to put it another way, be able 
to convey in 1903 to the Transvaal about five times as many 
tons as they actually carried there in any year before the war, 
and nearly twice as many tons as entered the Transvaal by all 
the routes. The other railways are not standing still, we may 
be sure, but are increasing their carrying capacities. Pressure 
will be brought to bear on us to reduce our transit dues and our 
charge for collection of Customs duties, and with no less 
certainty the profits the railways make on the through carrying 
trade. The lever will be the Delagoa Bay line. We shall 
then be forced to comtemplate the triumph of the line which 
can be worked with greatest economy. If the main line can be 
altered at a reasonable outlay to a grade of 1 in 50, and 
duplicated without being lengthened unduly, the course to be 
adopted is clear ; but, if this improvement is not possible, then 
an alterative line of 1 in 50, however costly, will alone enable 
us to compete for the Transvaal trade ; and the saving on the 
haulage of every train, as above illustrated, will in time 
counterbalance the interest on the cost of construction of the 
new line. I deprecate a hasty conclusion amidst the heated 
controversy of party politics on a matter so vital to the existence 
of the colony, and I would advocate the reference of the question 
to a Standing Committee of both Houses, which should be 
appointed to consider all schemes for railway extension, and 
without whose recommendation no proposal should be enter- 
tained by Parliament. Only by some such arrangement will it 
be possible to prosecute a comprehensive and consistent policy 
for the development of the country by railways. 
The publication of the balance-sheet of the South African 
Cold Storage Company has been one of the noteworthy events 
of the year, and has given point to the results of the gradually 
increasing influences of what are known as Trusts or Rings. 
Government have elected to be their own insurers of property 
against fire owing to the rates charged by the Insurance 
Association, and are boring for coal in the northern districts 
with the view of becoming independent of the coal companies 
for supplies to the railway. The Shipping Ring has been the 
subject of debate in the House of Assembly. Trusts are 
regarded as evils in our modern commercial life, and the re- 
establishment of free competition is sought for as the remedy. 
I !ut we cannot go backwards. A combination to regulate prices 
is the natural sequence to unrestricted competition. May I 
suggest that natural forces are urging us towards public control 
of public interests, and that to look for a remedy in any other 
direction will be fruitless. The municipalistion of industries 
widens in its scope; and a Trust, having gathered the various 
interests of a trade under one control, is, to my mind, a step 
towards public ownership and management. 

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE OF THE PAST 
MONTH. 
June , 1902. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
JUNE 1st : The conclusion of Peace was announced. The 
Queen Victoria Memorial Fund amounted to £'196,000. The 
Mansion House Fund for the relief of the disti essed in St. Vincent 
amounted to £51,000. Death of the Marchioness of North- 
ampton. 
2nd : Great rejoicings took place at the termination of the 
war. The King held an Investiture and Lev6e at St. James's 
Palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales held a reception at 
Marlborough House. The Alien Emigration Commission held 
a meeting. 
3rd : The King was present at the opening of the Epsom 
Summer Meeting. The Birthday of the Prince of Wales was 
celebrated. The first annual meeting of the Royal Military 
Benevolent Fund was held. 
4th : The King and Queen, with the Prince and Princess of 
Wales, visited Epsom. Addresses of Congratulation on the con- 
clusion of the war were received by the King. The Lord Mayor 
entertained His Majesty's Judges at a banquet at the Mansion 
House. Death of Sir Richard Cotton. 
5th: Death of the Rev. H. Latham, Master of Trinity, 
Cambridge. In the Houses of Parliament, votes of thanks to 
the troops in South Africa were passed, and also a grant of 
£50,000 to Lord Kitchener. Lord Avebury opened Sir John 
Cass Technical Institute, Aldgate. 
6th : The King and Queen held a Court at Buckingham 
Palace. The annual dinner of the National Union of Con- 
servatives and Constitutional Associations took place. Mr. 
Chamberlain opened the Colonial Troops Club. The Prince of 
Wales received H. E. Te-Yi-Chang the Chinese Minister, and 
PI. I. II. Prince Chin, Special Ambassador of the Emperor of 
China at the Coronation. 
7th : The Prince and Princess of Wales witnessed the Lads' 
Drill Association Display of Physical Training. Death of Lord 
Braybrooke. Mr. John Morley addressed a Liberal meeting in 
Edinburgh. The King and Queen and other Members of the 
Royal Family attended the Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul's 
for the conclusion of Peace. 
9th : Death of Mr, Joseph Brown, K.C. In the House of 
Lords the Loan Bill was read for a third time. 
10th : The Royal Counties Agricultural Show was opened 
at Reading. The London Chamber of Commerce held their 
annual meeting. Lord Rosebery presided at a meeting at 
Queen’s Hall to protest against the Education Bill. Princess 
Christian opened an Exhibition in aid of the French Charities 
in London. 
nth : ‘ ‘ Colonel ” Lynch, M. P. , was remanded at Bow-street 
on a charge of high treason. The King and Queen accompanied 
by the Princess Victoria were entertained at dinner by the United 
States Ambassador. Mr. Chamberlain presided at the annual 
dinner of the Corona Club. Mr, L. Courtenay presided at the 
annual meeting of the International Arbitration and Peace 
Association. 
12th ; The King and Queen visited Westminster Abbey. 
The English Church Union held its anniversary' meeting. A 
large deputation of Free Churchmen waited on Air. Balfour to 
protest against the Education Bill. 
13th : The King received addresses of loyalty' and con- 
gratulation on the conclusion of Peace. The King and Queen 
held a Court at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales 
presided at the annual Civil Service dinner. The Duke of 
Argyll opened the British Colonial Art Exhibition. 
14th : The King and Queen left London for Aldershot. 
The Prince of Wales reviewed the Boys’ Brigade. Mr. Seddon, 
the Premier of New Zealand, arrived in London. Death of the 
Rev. J. Spurgeon. 
15th : Hospital Sunday. A Church Parade of Colonial 
troops was held in the Alexandra Palace. Death of Mr, 
F. W. M. Ravenscroft. 
16th : The Queen reviewed the troops at Aldershot. Lord 
Howe opened a Naval and Military Exhibition at Portsmouth. 
The King, though suffering from indisposition, was able to 
travel from Aldershot to Windsor. A reception was given to 
meet Mr. Seddon, at the Imperial Institute, by the Agent- 
General for New Zealand. 
17th : The King recovered from his indisposition. The 
Coronation Banquet of the Royal Asiatic Society took place. 
Mr. Seddon was the principal guest at the Annual New Zealand 
Banquet. 
18th : The Duke of Connaught inspected the Colonial and 
Indian troops at Aldershot. The Royal Society’s second con- 
versazione took place. The Victoria League held its annual 
meeting. Death of Mr. Samuel Butler. 
19th: Death of Lord Acton. Mr. P. McHugh, M.P. for 
North Leitrim, was committed to prison. 
20th : The Duke of Connaught laid the foundation stone 
of the new building of Charing Cross Hospital. The Imperial 
South African Association held their annual meeting. Mr. G. A. 
Hick was elected Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge. 
21st : The King received Lt.-Col. H. I. Hamilton with 
Peace despatches from Lord Kitchener. The Queen Victoria 
Memorial Fund amounted to £200,000. Many Coronation 
guests arrived in London. 
23rd : The King and Queen returned to Buckingham 
Palace from Windsor. The Prince and Princess of Wales 
returned to York House. Prince Komatsu of Japan was enter- 
tained by the Lord Mayor. The Colonial Premiers visited the 
Potteries. The fourth West Australian dinner took place. The 
annual meeting of the Navy Records Society' was held. 
24th : In consequence of the serious illness of the King, the 
Coronation was postponed. Lord Northbrook and the 
committee of the Northbrook Society held a reception at the 
Imperial Institute of the Indian princes and chiefs invited to 
the Coronation. The United Empire Trade League enter- 
tained at luncheon the statesmen of Greater Britain and the 
Imperial guests attending the Coronation. Mr. Alderman 
Trascott and Mr. Brooke-Hitching were elected Sheriffs of 
London for the ensuing year. Death of Mr. H. A. D. Seymour, 
Deputy-Master of the Mint. 
25th : It was announced that the King’s condition was 
satisfactory. The list of Coronation Honours was issued. A 
new Order of Merit was created by the King. In the House of 
Commons the Finance Bill was read a third time. 
26th : Intercessory services were held in many' churches on 
behalf of the King. Death of Mr. W. Lidderdale, of the Bank 
of England. The Prince and Princess of Wales entertained 
1,300 charity children at Marlborough House. Death of Lord 
Ellenborough. Death of Major-General Sir Francis Scott. 
27th : The Prince and Princess of Wales entertained 
another party of 1,100 children at Marlborough House. 
Coronation festivities of a modified kind were held in various 
provincial towns. Death of Lord Henniker, Governor of the 
Isle of Man. Death of Major-General John Bates. Death of 
Dr. Chase, Principal of St. Mary Hall, Oxford. 
28th : The King was reported to be out of immediate 
danger. A conference of Jewish literary societies in London 
and the provinces was held. 
29th ; An intercessory' service was held at St. Paul’s 
Cathedral on behalf of the King. 
30th ; The King continued to make steady progress 
towards convalescence. The Coronation bonfires were lit. 
The conference of Colonial Premiers was opened at the Colonial 
Office. The Indian Princes visited Spithead. An International 
Tramways and Light Railways congress was opened by Mr. 
G. Balfour. 
COLONIES. 
Australia. — 1st : The news of Peace was received with 
great rejoicings. — 24th : Universal sympathy was manifested 
concerning the illness of the King. New South Wales. — 5th : 
Death of Sir Daniel Cooper in London. The troops, returned 
from South Africa, were publicly entertained in the Town Hall, 
Sydney.' — 14th : The death of the Dean of Sydney was announced. 
Victoria. — 3rd: In the Legislative Assembly Mr, Irvine’s 
motion of censure on the Ministry' was carried by 45 votes 
to 42. — 8th : A new Ministry was formed, Mr. Irvine 
being Premier and Attorney-General. — 17th : The Ministry 
proposed a reduction of the number of the Assembly to 
56, of the Council to 28, and of ministers to 7, without 
diminution of salaries. Western Australia. — 24th : Death of 
Mr. Leake, Premier and Attorney'-General. The Ministry 
resigned. — 30th : A new Ministry' was formed, with Mr. James 
as Premier and Attorney'-General. 
New Zealand. — 1st : The news of Peace was celebrated with 
great rejoicings. — 13th : Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, and 
Primate of New Zealand, resigned on account of ill-health. 
British West Africa. — 12th : It was announced that the. 
British expedition under Colonel Morland had reached Lake 
Tchad. 
Canada. — 1st : Great rejoicings took place on the news of 
Peace being received. — 3rd : Death of the Roman Catholic 
Bishop of St. Albert. — 4th : A meeting of Boards of Trade was 
held at Toronto, urging preferential trade within the Empire. — 
13th : The Legislature of British Columbia passed a resolution 
