REPORT.
d
of South Africa are given in Appendix C. The duties of these Correspondents
consist in the main of answering, to the best of their ability, inquiries addressed
to them by the Intelligence Branch or by individual traders ; reporting
changes in customs duties and customs regulations and in commercial
legislation generally ; notifying changes in ihe general financial conditions
of local trade and in circumstances likely to affect it, e.g., condition of crops,
accumulation of stocks, terms of credit, &c ; furnishing prompt information
as to probable execution of public works and as to calls for tenders ; and
reporting on the growth of foreign competition in the markets of the
Colonies, the establishment of new industries, the development of means of
communication, and other matters of commercial or industrial interest. It
has to be mentioned, however, that these Correspondents in no way supersede
those appointed by the Colonial Governments themselves.
The Committee feel, however, that present arrangements in regard to these
appointments ought not to be looked upon as affording a permanent settlement
of the matter, even in respect of South Africa. Something analogous ought
to be done with regard to several other Colonies, but it is manifest that in
order to enable the proposal to be effectively carried out some special
appropriation by Parliament will be necessary. The funds of the Committee,
meagre and temporary as they are, ought not to be charged with expenses of
this nature, and it is thought that, although the Committee have offered to
bear the expense of remunerating these Correspondents for the first two or
three years, the charge is one of which they should be relieved as soon as
possible unless their Grant in Aid can be largely increased.
Siberian and Persian Missions.
With regard to the commercial missions to Siberia and Persia which have
been undertaken, it should be mentioned that Messrs. Cooke and Maclean
had interviews with several of the important Chambers of Commerce before
their departure. In order to facilitate the work in connection with both
missions, the Foreign Office was communicated with in order to secure
for Messrs. Cooke and Maclean such assistance as H.M. Diplomatic and
Consular Officers could render. The India Office was also communicated
with in regard to the Persian mission with a similar object.
Mr. Cooke, after visiting London and St. Petersburg, left on his mission
on 25th May 1903, and Mr. Maclean left London for Persia on the 16th
January 1903. The instructions for the conduct of these missions were
very similar in character, and to a certain extent followed those under
which Mr. Birchenough’s mission to South Africa and Mr. Worthington s
mission oí 1897—8 to South America were conducted. Briefly, the principal
points to which the Commissioners were instructed to devote attention were
as follow :—
yd; The amount of import and export trade done by Siberia and Persia
respectively ; the countries with which it is carried on ; and the
articles dealt in.
(b) The extent and degree of effectiveness of foreign competition with
British trade, with special reference to classes of articles at present
Jargely supplied by foreign countries.
(c) The openings which exist or might be created for a remunerative
trade in British goods not at present being imported to an
appreciable extent ; the reasons why such trade has not hitherto
been done or has been restricted ; and the probable extent of the
trade that might be done.
(d) The means and cost of transport of goods from foreign markets ; the
trade routes in the country ; the cost and means of internal
transport ; the effect of foreign bounties and drawbacks on the
trade done.
(?) The natural and other products of the country for which a market
might be found in the United Kingdom.
E 31200.
B
