June 4, 1896.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND | A SPIRIT FARM AS A SOURCE OF|
THE CHINESE IMPORT
DUTIES.
The publication of a summary of the
pro- ceedings of the Chamber of Commerce Com- mittee at its monthly meetings and of the correspondence connected therewith is an advantage that is doubtless appreciated by the general body of members and the public at large. From the minutes of the meeting of the 28th May we learn that several im- portant questions have lately engaged at tention. The statement that LI HUNG- CHANG was to endeavour, during his visit to Europe, to secure an increase in the im- port duties on foreign goods in China was at once taken up by the Chamber, who addressed the British Minister at Peking on the subject, requesting that the Chamber might be consulted before any agreement was entered into. Other Chambers will no doubt recognise the advisability of making similar representations, for the matter is one upon great vigilance cannot be exercised. LI HUNG-CHANG is himself an astute diplomatist and he will have very able assistance and the benefit of powerful influence in endeavouring to gain his point in Europe; and as the British Foreign Office has on previous occasions and in relation to other matters yielded to Celestial blandish ments, it might do the same again if those whose interests are affected do not make themselves heard in the matter. The view
which too
taken by the Chamber is that while under certain conditions and guarantees the duties might not unreasonably be subjected to some increase the principle should not be conceded unless it is first laid down that the increased duty is to free the goods absolutely from all further charge throughout the Chinese Empire, that is to say, that, in return for an increased import duty, lekin and squeezes of all descriptions should be abolished. It is urged by apolo- gists for China that the provincial officials cannot possibly do without the revenue derived from lekin, and that, with the ex- ception of the land tax, it is all they have to depend upon. It may at once be granted that in whatever arrangement is come to provision will have to be made to leave the provinces in possession
REVENUE.
INCENDIARISM AND ITS
SUPPRESSION.
459
some
The exemplary sentence passed by the Some time ago Hongkong was threatened Chief Justice on the two men convicted at the Criminal Sessions of arson is calculated to with the establishment of a Spirit Farm,
have an excellent effect. The crime by but happily the danger was averted. Sin-which TSAN SAI-CHAP and LAU WAI-CHUI gapore, less fortunate than Hongkong in sought to enrich themselves at the expense that respect, has had a Spirit Farm for of the insurance companies is terribly com mon in Hongkong and is responsible for a many years past, and now it is proposed to endow the Farmer with additional powers the city. The Fire Inquiries Bill did a good large proportion of the fires that occur in which are calculated to interfere very con- siderably with the freedom of the port. Gov- deal to check it, the passing of that useful
measure being followed by a marked decline - ernor Sir CHARLES MITCHELL, in the course
in the number of fires, The gradual im- of a debate on the new Bill in the Legisla-provement of the fire extinguishing arrange- tive Council, said, "The Spirit Farmer is
That the ments, by rendering more difficult the "the Customs officer, here."
successful accomplishment of incendiary Farmer should be officially described as a
designs, has probably also had Customs officer may be taken as some indi- effect in the same direction. The crime cation of the danger of setting up such a
has never been really suppressed, however,' monopolist, and although we are not at
and of late it seems to have shown signs the moment threatened with anything of the kind in Hongkong it is perhaps well of becoming more rife than it has been that we should take note of what befalls for some years past, the evidence in several cases that have occurred recently not only our neighbours in order that we may be on our guard for the protection of that freedom raising suspicions but conclusively demon- strating that the outbreaks were not! of the port which has so materially con-
accidental in their nature. But, although tributed to its prosperity. Prima facie no
it may be quite clear that a house has been more appropriate subject for taxation could intentionally set on fire, it is never an be found than spirite; the only objection, but a vital one in a port which professes to easy thing to bring the guilt home to individuals in such a way as to lead to be free, is the difficulty of collecting the tax.
a conviction in a criminal court. In all An Opium Farm is bad enough; a Spirit
cases of this description the evidence is Farm would be ten times worse. The par- almost necessarily of a circumstantial ticular section in the Singapore Bill which character only, and on evidence of that has chiefly aroused the alarm of the ship-
In ping community provides that a list of all description juries are loth to conviet.
the case decided on Friday, however, the spirituous and fermented liquors, both of those forming part of the ship's stores, and evidence, although merely circumstantial, was, in the opinion of the jury, conclusive, those not forming part of the ship's stores or provisions, shall be prepared by the and the result was that the two prisoners were each sentenced to twelve years' im- master of the ship and handed to the
As the prisonment with hard labour. Farmer, to whom right of inspection is
Chief Justice very truly remarked, " given. It is urged that this would establish of this kind is very hard to prove, and a whole system of the most annoying type when it is proved the Court must deal with of custom house formalities, accompanied
"it very severely." The effect of the sen by espionage and search, enforced at the tence will be to terrorise would-be incen- discretion of a Chinese Farmer. Under diaries, for a time at all events, and to bring those circumstances altogether inappropriate to describe the about a falling off in the number of fires. Farmer as the Customs officer, for he would Something in the be so in effect, though not in-name, and that perhaps also be accomplished by the Fire Insurance Association, which has now been in seems to have been all that Sir CHARLES existence twelve months. Happily the cut- MITCHELL meant. It was urged in the throat competition which prevailed until re- Legislative Council that ocean should be exempt. The Governor said he cently has been abandoned, and the increase in rates will have some tendency to deter persons could not agree that it was possible to make from insuring with fraudulent intent, on the a distinction between ocean steamers and
same principle that an increase in the price Mr. SHELFORD thereupon other steamers. sail he was sure the French steamers would of lottery tickets would interfere with their deeply resent the Farmer going aboard and sale; but in addition to this the Association demanding their accounts; and to that they do some good by the exchange of in- Governor replied: Why should a French
16
it would
not be
steamers
steamer object, any more than an English steamer going to Saigon. The Spirit Far mer is the Customs officer here." Still the fact remains that not only French steamers, but all nationalities alike would object to the exercise by a monopolist of powers which would be submitted
Chinese
of a revenue sufficient to carry on their administration. Strictly speaking, that is no concern of the foreign Powers, being a question that China should settle for herself, but, under the circumstances, the point cannot be alto- gether ignored, China being herself incom- petent to establish an honest fiscal system and standing in need of foreign assistance and advice in the matter. The existing system is inimical alike to Chinese and foreign interests, for while foreign goods are burdened with oppressive taxation only a fractional part of the amount they have to pay is honestly applied to public purposes, the greater portion of it finding its way into the pockets of a horde of officials and farmers whose only interest is squeezing. In any new arrangement that may be come to the guarantees that the squeezing system should at the hands of properly accredited Customs be really abolished would, as the Chamber officers. A private meeting of the Singa- says, have to be ample, and it is suggested pore Chamber of Commerce has been that they should be "similar to those held and an alternative proposal is to be made "afforded in certain matters by the collec- to the Government which it is hoped will tion being placed in the hands of the Chi- overcome the difficulty which has been nese Imperial Maritime Customs." It is raised. The only really satisfactory solution, in this direction that the solution of the however, would be the total abolition of the whole question must be looked for.
Spirit Farm, but as that would involve a considerable loss of revenue it is not likely to be adopted. The experience of Singapore ought to strengthen Hongkong's deter- mination to have nothing to do with anything in the shape of a Spirit Farm.
K
According to the Courrier d'Haiphong the Cable Company intends to reduce its rates from the 1st July as follows.From Tonkin to Hongkong from f.1.20 per word to f.0.75 and to France from 1.7.80 to 1.4.10.
to 23
a
matter of course
same
a case
direction may
furnuation amongst its members as to suspi- cious characters who grow fat by repeated fires on their premises. But the greatest protec- tion to the community, alike from incen- diarism and from conflagrations originating in pure accident, is an abundant water supply. It has now been clearly demon- strated that the Tytam supply cannot be permanently relied upon for fire extinguish- ing purposes, and we must look for an increased supply in other directions. The old scheme of fire tanks mooted many years ago seems worthy of reconsideration.
It having been reported at Haiphong that Chinese and native contractors would be per- mitted to tender for the earthworks of the proposed railways in Tonkin, a meeting of the Haiphong Chamber of Commerce was held at which a resolution was passed expressing the view that the Government should exclude from all competitions for the execution of public works all Asiatics, even though naturalised, and all foreigners.
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