OUTLOOK IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19727, 29 August 1927, Page 11

OUTLOOK IN CHINA.

HOPES OF A SETTLEMENT. EARLY CHANGE PREDICTED. BUSINESS MAN'S CONFIDENCE. That conditions in China should be normal by the early part of next year was the opinion expressed last evening by Mr. A. McKirdy, of Hongkong, who is visiting Auckland. Mr. McKirdy has lieen in business in Hongkong for several years and, although he has been away from China for two years, he has kept in touch with tlw situation. In discussing the affairs in China, Mr. McKirdy emphasised that the position was very hopeful and that six months would probably see the end of the trouble. At the end of that time he considered a wave of prosperity woMd set in for both British and Chinese. " At the present time," said Mr. McKirdy, " the Northerners seem to be having the best of the struggle. This is a good sign. It is to be hoped they will be victorious, as their leaders are more favourable to the British. They represent the remnants of the former Peking Government, which, after all, is the real one. It is hoped they will be able to drive the other party out of Hankow." Mr. McKirdy said the boycotting of British ships had practically broken down and it would not be long before trade was resumed as before. The Chinese workers had no ill-feeling against the British, but had been influenced to refuse to handle British goods. It was a question of money and it appeared that the inducements were not being continued. The Bolshevik influence had been working for some time in the south of China, but it was evidently beginning to weaken. " As the country is at present," he added, " it is impossible for Britain to negotiate with China. No one party is sufficiently in the ascendant to represent the Chinese peoples, although it is hoped and expected the Northerners will come out on top. Britain has already made some advances to China, although the granting of further concessions is problematical. It all depends on the way in which the Chinese behave from now on."