CHINA AND JAPAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5524, 10 December 1878, Page 2

CHINA AND JAPAN.

(OWN CORRESPONDENT OP THE PRESS AGENCY.) Shanghai, October 30. The annual report of the China Merchants’ Steam Navigation Company for the year ending August last, and which has lately been published, has elicited much comment among foreign merchants. This company is practically the concern of the Chinese Government,, and it was started and augmented for the purpose, as commonly said, of securing the carrying trade of China for the Chinese, and so by peaceful means helping to expel the foreigners from China. A year or two ago it took over the whole of the vessels and plant of an American company, and now possesses thirty-one . steamers. A dividend of five * per cent, was declared on the ordinary stock, absorbing about £9250, but the credit balance of £2700 from last year is swallowed up, and a debit balance of £4750 was carried to the next year; in other words, the company, notwithstanding all the fostering care of the Government, is being worked at considerable loss, and the foreigners are jubilant attbe result. A typhoon occurred a few weeks ago in Shanghai, in which many vessels suffered considerable damage. The Japanese mail steamer Tokio Maro fared very badly, and reached this port with her upper works in a dilapidated condition. A number of cases of sulphuric acid were being carried on deck, and during tbe typhoon they rolled about, and by some means caught fire. For some time the vessel was threatened with a fearful combination of disasters, but by strenuous efforts the cases were thrown overboard. No lives were lost, but many minor injuries were sustained, one of the passengers comparing the saloon to a surgical operating room. A commission consisting of five Mandarins and a foreigner has been appointed by the Chinese to inquire into the late destruction of missionary ‘premises near Foochow. The foreigner has recorded his opinion that the missionaries had acted very improperly, and that the Chinese, though not justified in the work of destruction, had received much provocation for what they did. The opinion of an eminent counsel also condemns the action of the missionaries. The affair excited considerable interest and attention, and the foreigners were by no means enthusiastic in supporting the missionaries. Miss Lydia Mary Fay, a missionary of the American Episcopal Church in China, has just died at Chefor.. She had labored in the East 28 years, and was the most accomplished and successful of the lady missionaries here. • r Marquis Tseng, the Chinese Minister to the Court of St. James, has arrived at Shanghai en route to England. His sympathies are all in favor of foreigners, and it is expected that he will use all his influence to secure the introduction of railways, telegraphs, &c., into China. The cotton crop in this district which has been gathered is unusually good. An extract from the New Zealand Times as to tbe opening of a trade in wool between the Australian Colonies and China has appeared in our local papers here, and has attracted much attention among business men. The Chinese are very slow in adopting new tilings, but when they have once been shown the advantage of woollen garments there is no doubt they will be ready to patronise them. The better class of Chinese at the present moment wear woollen clothing during the winter months in the north, and if cheap woollen fabrics, or fabrics which contain wool woven with native cotton, could be introduced, a very large trade might be expected to be. done, as all Chinese garments are made to fit loosely, they undergo comparatively little wear, and the cheaper qualities of cloth would best meet the circumstances and means of Chinese,' It is stated on good authority that the line of railway projected in connection with the Kaiping mining scheme is about to be proceeded with, and that the route is now being surveyed. It is further said that the Chinese high authorities have agreed to adopt railways as soon as possible, but will not raise foreign loans for the purpose, and will only employ a minimum amount of foreign labor both skilled and unskilled. Since the arrival of the Peruvian Minister at China, some months ago, no progress has been made in tbe matter of Chinese emigration. The possibility of a conflict between England and Russia in connection with Afghanistan is being speculated upon by tbe Chinese. The relations between China and Russia are everything but friendly, and war would be hailed with considerable satisfaction here. Rumors have lately been circulated of a serious rebellion in the province of Kwangse. A brigadier-general named Li has revolted, and is at the head of 50,000 armed men. The Government will probably make short work of the rebels.

There is no news of any consequence from Japan. Its political condition is considered to be very unsatisfactory, and the business done by the foreigners has been for some time rapidly decreasing.