Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/360

352 industries and other enterprises promoted in the Colony and in the southern provinces of China, have been characterised by acute inside information and keen perception, with the result that the mercantile community generally are firm supporters of the journal.

MR. A. W. BREBNER, the editor, is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and received his education at Robert Gordon's College in that city. Afterwards he joined the editorial staff of the Aberdeen Free Press, and in 1895 proceeded to Jamaica, West Indies, to take up the position of sub-editor on the Daity Gleaner in Kingston. During the Cuban war he acted as special correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph. After a sojourn in England, he was appointed assistant editor of the Bangkok Times, Siam; and, after a short connection with the Straits Times, he joined the Hongkong Telegraph, of which he was appointed editor in January, 1906.



MR. J. P. BRAGA, the manager, is a native of the Colony. He was first educated at St. Joseph's College, and, proceeding to Calcutta, passed through St. Xavier's College and Roberts College. In 1889 he was awarded the only scholarship secured by the European students in the Matriculation Examination of the University of Calcutta. On his return to Hongkong he joined the firm of Government printers and publishers, and was admitted a partner of Messrs. Noronha & Co. in 1899. This partnership was dissolved upon the death of the senior proprietor, and in July, 1902, Mr. Braga received his present appointment.

South China Morning Post, Ltd.

The youngest daily newspaper in Hongkong is the South China Morning Post. Registered as a limited liability company, with a capital of $150,000, on March 18, 1903, it made its bow to the public in November of the same year.

The founder of the Company was Mr. A. Cunningham, who had previously been connected with newspapers in Singapore, Shanghai, and Hongkong, and who afterwards acted as general manager and editor. The first editor was Mr. Douglas Story, a prominent London journalist and war correspondent. The Company started with splendid backing, and had on its first directorate such prominent men as Mr. E. H. Sharp. K.C.; Mr. C. Ewens, solicitor; Père Robert, the head of the Mission Etrangères; and Mr. G. W. F. Playfair, manager of the National Bank of China. Adopting a vigorous, Independent, and up-to-date policy, the venture rapidly came to the front in local journalism, and now claims to have the "largest circulation." Elaborate cable services from London, Berlin, and Tokyo were its chief features, and business people were not slow to recognise that through the Post they were brought into touch with the affairs of the world in a manner hitherto unattempted by private enterprise. The Post also takes the credit of being the originator of the 10-cent newspaper in Hongkong. In a short time the Post increased in size, and now it gives its readers a daily average of thirty columns of reading matter and forty columns of advertisements. During the Russo-Japanese War the Post was strongly pro-Japanese, but has not permitted its enthusiasm to interfere with unbiased criticism of certain dubious methods imported into the commercial field by our ally. British trade in China has always had a staunch supporter in the Post. In matters Chinese the Post has consistently maintained a strong lead. It initiated a movement for the suppression of piracy, lent its support to the cause of railway development, and has urged reform and enlightenment on legitimate lines. The good intentions of the Chinese authorities have always been applauded, and oft-repeated back-sliding has been denounced. The opium question has received due attention, and the effect of the arrangement between China and our philanthropic Home Government on the mercantile interests of Hongkong has been emphasised time and again. One consistent aim of the Post has been to promote a clearer understanding, both politically and commercially, between the Chinese and the "barbarians" of the West. In local politics the Post maintains a fearless attitude in voicing the views of the laity on all matters requiring adjustment, and ideas mooted in its columns for the betterment of conditions of life generally in the Colony have, many of them, received the approval of the local administrators.