THE RESOURCES OF CHINA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 28

THE RESOURCES OF CHINA.

Thero was a very large attendance at tho Exchango Hall on Tuesday when Mr Cheek Hong Cheoug delivered ail address on “ Tho position and prospects of China, politically, commercially and religiously.” Tho Veil Archdeacon Fancourt presided. Dir Cheong, first speaking of tho adverse issue of tho recent war with Japan, gave the opinion of General Grant, General Gordon and Lord Wolseloy to the effect that China possesses every essential and requisite for national greatness, and that if tho Chinese army were properly organised it would soon ho" tho first army in tho world, and capable of turning every European Power out of Asia. That such a country which had hold a prominent place for 50 centuries should fall to pieces before tho now-found skill of a diminutivo people was to him incredible and inconceivable. (Applause.) Ho pointed out that education was general throughout China, and all the offices were put up to competitive examination ; tho rulers wore not elected by the people, but selected from among tho people, and there wore no hereditary rulers, over every oflico being written “ No hereditary donkey need apply.” The country was rich in agricultural and mineral products of all kinds, tho wealth of China was incalculable, and she had an enormous capital with which to trade. Let them, he urged, seek to establish a more friendly intercourse with that nation. The Ah nc.;i■ followed a system of teaching eillc-1 ailcr the name of Confucius, which was n >t a religion at all, and ho pointed out that the people in these more enlightened countries had the responsibility of spreading the Gospel until the whole earth shall he filled with tho knowledge of God. (Applause.) Ho deplored tho lack of mission work among tho Chinese in New Zealand. Dir Cheong was accorded a hearty vote of thanlis. A collection was made in aid of the expenses of the lecturer, and subscription lists were also handed round for funds towards supplying tho spiritual needs of the Chinese in New Zealand.