han
$1898
CHIN OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
allude to AB
lled
ed
shown that
never
fortieth of the twentieth of the cost. I doubt at any time or in any part of the eigh provinces ever approached such a charge as as serted, and which only a McKinley could impose on the patient backs of American consumers.
eign Custom-houses adds fifty per cent to the tariff ned for export abroad, but he production of certificates on. The formalities placed in ining these certificates and then
As to the probability of an incredible expan Ithem have been made so com- sion of trade if likin is exchanged for a 10 per play into the hands of the native cent import duty. If my figures are approxi- nts of trade and the Customs mately correct, the proposed change can only so enable them to retain large lead to a diminution of the import trade. For the merchants have been prac myself; my experience of the interior leads me uded. At the port from which I to assert that no fiscal change, short of a total mbt if one-fifth of these half-duties abolition of all taxation, maritime as well as funded and, if they are, it is after inland, will lead to any marked expansion of nd after successfully evading an trade and then only to a limited degree. Foreign network of checks and counter-goods now penetrate to every corner of the em
pire with comparative freedom and are sought for and liked by all classes of the people. The only real hindrances to their consumption are the execrable roads and the poverty of the people. Both of these are removable could China be taken in hand as Egypt has been and the expansion of trade would be phenomenal.
halt duties are absurdly alleged to be lest any goods shipped from the for wealthy foreign countries should tently be re-admitted for consumption he starving millions of China. They do to the Imperial or Provincial revenues but afford a dearly prized opportunity stealing by individual officials. They are a auisance to the merchant, native and foreign,
ell as to the members of the Customs staff themselves. They are an anachronism and should be forthwith abolished.
In conclusion, my object is to urge Chambers Commerce and the Ministers of all nations rading, with China to free its internal trade in cality and not in name only, which will be the ole result of the abolition of likin, if at the time the internal foreign Custom-houses are not likewise displaced.
Let the maritime trade bear the increased burdens unfortunately necessitated by wars and rumours of war here as elsewhere, but do not foist the parasitical growth of new Custom- houses upon the provinces with one hand, while with the other we sweep away the far more moderate inter-state likin. Confine export and ort duties henceforth to goods shipped to and from abroad and thus stimulate development of internal free-trade all we
ma second letter the same correspondent In your valued Market Report of the 3rd of October (Messrs. Alex. Bielfeld and Co.) pear statements which I cannot pass un- challenged. The words are:-
Should the endeavour of the Chamber of Commerce to get the likin or inland tax removed in exchange for a fair increase in specific duties succeed, an almost incredible expansion of trade with this country must take place. At present likin, in the extortioning hand of native officials, often doubles the cost of goods before they reach their destination in the interior. If this is abol- ished in exchange for a 10 per cent. duty, the con- umption of foreign goods in the interior will increase at once and will grow steadily aš time
goes on.
Such loose statements unverified by actual ures are much to be deprecated: Writers on spot should generalise with a great sense of nsibility, seeing that their statements form basis of the articles in the home papers and magazines, articles which go to form public opinion and hence influence statesmen by whom changes materially affecting our position in the
ast are accomplished,
|
MACAO,
FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
26th November.
The gradual decay of this port is no doubt in some measure due to the monopolist policy adopted by the Government, for monopoly paralyses trade and brings hardship on the population, who have in consequence of it to pay high prices for inferior articles. Pork, beef, fish, salt, liupan (wine), kerosine, etc., The are all the subjects of monopolies. monopolists, knowing that the public is bound to purchase from them, make the most of their opportunities to squeeze to the utmost; and while the monopolists thus make large profits it is almost impossible to find articles of first rate quality in the market. Persons in easy circumstances get over this by sending to Hongkong for their supplies, especially beef, but the poor have not the same opportunities of obtaining relief by that means. As to the kerosine monopoly, it has quite killed the trade in that article - that used to be done through this port with China, and in which many merchants were interested. Perhaps the the ricksha business, created by the Leal Senado. most mismanaged of the monopolies is that of There are, say, three hundred rickshas and each ricksha pays daily to the monopolist 15 cents, so that during the year his receipts will $16,200, while on the other hand be
pays to he
the Leal Senado $9,602 only. The Leal Senado, if it issued licences direct, might obtain for itself the difference be- tween these two sums, which is greatly needed, but instead of that it allows it to go into the pocket of one individual. Under a monopolist, also, the drawers have a very hard time of it.
The Government and the Leal Senado, if they really wish to promote the prosperity of the place, should sweep away all monopolies (except the gambling and opium monopolies), and instead. of placing everything in the hands of half-s- dozen men encourage free competition, issue licences direct, and allow every one to follow his own trade without let or hindrance. By this means the public will get better articles at smaller cost, and the amount now wasted in the employment of officers to prevent private
**** sales and smuggling would be saved.
i.
were
highes offer for $9,100 HE. the
ordered the mond
and $14,100 was secur monopoly the $10,100, but
the June, will be
was $15,000. The new term com 1st January 1897, and runs 1899. The gunpowder monopoly seen, realised $7,000 more than on the last લ for
'occasion.
She is W
The transport Africa leaves to mor India, Mozambique, and back to Lisbon a number of and for Mozambique about twent carpenters and with Chinese goods, so much so that easons2 packages have been refu I hear that she will call 10,000 piculs of rice.
for want
Saigon to
HONGKONG.
The weather has been most unseasonable lately, much rain-having fallen during the past few days.On Thursday the inquest on the Diocesan School boy was concluded, the jury re- turning a verdict of accidental death. St. An- drew's Day was celebrated on Monday by a ball and this annual gathering of the clans was a great success, the inclement weather notwith. standing.
We have to acknowledge receipt of the Customs Gazette for the quarter ended Sep- tember last.
HM.S. Centurion, with Admiral Sir A. Buller on board, left on the 27th November for Singapore and H.M.S. Piqué for Manila.
In the match between the Hongkong Football Club and the Colts on the 25th November the Club were victorions by two goals to one.
The Treasurer of the Seamen's Church and Mission Fund acknowledges with thanks the receipt of a donation of $50 from the Rifle Brigade" Fra Diavolo Company.
At a regular meeting of the Victoria Lodge on the 23rd.instant, Bro. G. P. Lammert was elected Worship Master for the ensuing year and Bro. W. Whiley, Treasurer,
On the 29th November a bricklayer named Kat Cheung was working on a plank in Staunton Street when the plank broke and the man fell to the pavement and was instantly killed.
The Hon. Treasurer of the Alice Memorial and Nethersole Hospitals begs to acknowledge with thanks the following donation to the funds of the hospitals:-Rifle Brigade, "Fra Diavolo" Company, $150.
-The Star" ferry service to Kowloon has been augmented and from the 1st December the launches will run every ten minutes during the day time, from 6.45 p.m. to 8 pm, every fifteen minutes, and from 8 p.m. to midnight every half-hour.
The prospectus is advertised of the Eastern Mica Manipulating Works, Limited, formed for the purpose of taking over the business now conducted by Mr. C. Holdsworth The services of Mr. Holdsworth have been secured for term of five years.
It is notified in the Gazettes
made quence of representati ment of China and for other re
military and än of arms and Hongkong is prohibit months, except und
Mr. Menpes, been spending. senger homeward Ravenna, leav
like to point out that while I do not curred in this respect in your
ly here, in Szechuen, there has The following are the amounts paid annually diminution in likin during the for some of the principal monopolies-Pork here Chinese traders are so $23,750, fish. $12,000, salt $43,100, lin-pun foiling the best-laid plans of the $8,300, kerosine $8,100, gunpowder, saltpetre, fices that the officials dare not prot and sulphur $8,000, vae-gang $60,000, pak
ities. The likin is ordinarily levied kopin $51,000, fantan $150,000, and opium package; hence the Chinese $180,000. These are Government monopolies, rate by increasing the size the Leal Senado receiving 2 per cent. on the
ther device is to adopt amounts, paid by the farmers at the same we
ntain this land at the same time that they pay the rents of Government. In addition aths (all their tired of con- there
beef monopoly $4,092, and the monopoly 02 which belong to the
day Mr.
belie
he will exh
in
időn
Tho
IND. OLOWE
dër
ith the
co from on: to an average.
per cent, in 1896
Arm
nd property owners are feeling the pinch
Rose