MR. HERBERT ROBERTS (Denbighshire, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Director General of the Hamburg-American Steamship Company has recently stated that a development of trade may confidently be expected in the Yang-tsze Valley, and that the Hamburg-American Company were co-operating with the North German Lloyd Company in the establishment of a line of steamers which would carry the German flag as far up the Yang-tsze as the river was navigable; and whether he is aware that the Hamburg-American line has further arranged for a regular service of steamers between Tsing-tan, and Chifu, and Tientsin; and whether, having regard to these developments, the Government are taking all practicable steps to secure 1463 the present dominant commercial position of Great Britain in these regions.
§ VISCOUNT CRANBORNEIn answer to the first paragraph of the question, we have no information to the effect mentioned. With regard to the second paragraph, for the maintenance of the commercial position of Great Britain in the regions referred to as everywhere else, we must rely upon the enterprise and energy of our traders, but His Majesty's Government will do all in their power to secure for them a fair opportunity, so far as the general principles of our fiscal policy permit.