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THE NEW COMMERCIAL
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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to be hoped that some of these officials will be stirred up by it to pay more attention to commercial affairs than they have done hitherto. We may be sure that numberless Chinese office-holders will do their best to End the substitute for lekin, and this deceit can only be met by the utmost watchfulness" on the part of the foreigners who have conceded so much to China in the new treaty.
CANTON'S TRADE IN 1901.
(Daily Press, 9th September.)
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(September 13, 1962.
the Hoppo's department, and of which, therefore, no cognisance is taken by the Imperial Maritime Customs, as, for instance, kerosene oil. He continues:-"The ap
parently large falling-off in the import of kerosene during 1901 is solely due to the underselling of the foreign customs by "the Hoppo. The demand for kerosene among the Chinese grows year by year, and I know from reliable information "that the import of this commodity is greatly in excess of the figures given in the Maritime Customs returns. I have no doubt that in many other articles of "the trade of the Delta the same feature reveals itself-the native customs have systematically undersold the foreign customs to the enrichment of themselves "and to the detriment of the Imperial revenue," A great change, therefore, may be expected, it seems, under the rule of the Imperial Maritime Customs. Mr. Serr anticipates, for instance, that steamers will suffer considerably less from the junk competition in future, with the cessation of the Hoppo's pernicious influence.
American
(Daily Press, 8th September.) On the night of the 5th instant the new British Commercial treaty with China was actually signed, and another series of the vexatious delays incident to negotiations between China and foreign. Powers came to an end. There still remain the ratification of the compact and its acceptance by the other Treaty Powers, which, however, seems assured. The United States indeed have already expressed their approval. As far as Sir JAMES MACKAY is concerned he has The consular report on the trade of Canton completed his task, and we add our con in 1901 is written by Mr. Acting Consul- gratulations to those which he is now General JAMES SCOTT, and his report is of receiving. He and his colleagues may well
a satisfactory nature. 1901 was an im- feel glad that they have got through a niost portant year in the history of Canton, for arduous piece of work with so much credit. in it took place the transfer of the Native Nevertheless, we cannot say that the chorus Customs Department to the Imperial of praise over the terms which greeted Maritime Customs Service, a change which, their announcement at home has been though in accordance with the terms of the echoed very heartily by the British mer- Final Protocol of September, 1901, was only chants out in China, The North-China effected with great difficulty. As Mr. Daily News, writing just b fore the signature Scorr explains, the Hoppo, who bad control of the treaty, alludes again to the two blots of the Native Custom, is an officer from We do not propose to go into the figures en it in the eyes of the British merchant in the Imperial Manchu Clan belonging to the for the separate articles of trade, but confine China-one the excise of ten per cent: on Palace, and the post is one much coveted ourselves to the more general remarks in
Mr. Scort's report. goods manufactured in China, and the by the Court entourage. In past years, one
The year 1901, he other the duty and surtax of twelve-and-a-year's occupancy was considered sufficient states, marks the highest record in the half per cent. on all the supplies imported to cuable the holder to amass a fortune and history of the shipping of Canton, no less for the use of foreigners in China that retire with his family to luxurious case than 1,882,413 tons having entered. Of were formerly Ou the free list and within the Imperial precincts. Times this amount, British vessels show 1,555,558 then goes on to say:- Passing over changed with the advent of the treaties and tons. Chinese seme 104,000 tous, German "these two objectionable features, the the foreign customs, whereby fully half the about 144,700 tons, French 33,335 tous, 28,724 tons. Nearly treaty settles up a number of questions provincial revenue on the sea-borne traffic and "which Chambers of Commerce have been passes through the department under the 1,000,000 Chinese passengers appear in the "agitating for years in China. These Inspector-General, and is thus fully and Canton customs returns as having travelled include drawbacks, an uniform coinage, carefully accounted for, much to the chagrin to and from Hongkong, and some 10,000 preferential duties on junk-borne cargo, of the Court clique, to which successive Chinese passengers arrive annually from the liability of Chinese shareholders in Hoppos have belonged. The Hoppo, how-Macao for Canton. With regard to steam- "British companies, river conservancy, ever. did not surrender the Canton office hunch traffic under the Inland Steam bonding facilities, protection of trade and its six out-stations without delay. At Navigation Regulation, a success has been marks, opening of new ports, revision of Swatow, Samshui, Hoihow, and Pakhoi, the obtained which was never anticipated in 'mining rules and inland water navigation transfer was early and quietly arranged ;
Kwangtung. The regulations, says Mr. regulations, etc., etc. What is gained by but Canton was culy given up after a bitter SCOTT, have met an urgent requirement in these clauses of the treaty must be set struggle and grudgingly. Now, Mr. Scort the Canton Delta, and at the present against what seem to us the objectionable testifies, the native traders are lead in the moment nearly 300 steam launches are "features." With this criticism we may praise of the new arrangement, and fully operating between Canton and every im readily. agree, and it is only in the con- realise the benefit of honest management portant centre of trade in the province, cluding sentence of our contemporary's and fixed rules, framed in the interests of The total toumage of the steam launches article that we can see anything from which all alike. The result of the change is entered at the foreign customs amounts to to dissent. "Best of all," says the practically shown in the figures of Canton 2,184,698 tons in all, made by some 300 Shanghai journal, we are encouraged to trade. The port's gross trade in 1901
vessels in 75,095 trips inwards, with believe that lekin will really be abolished." coming under the direct cognisance of the similar number outwards. Neverthel ss it We should be glad to share in this optimism, Imperial Maritime Customs was no less must be obvious that the limit of success has than 60,845,410 Haikwan Taels, the highest not been reached yet, for Mr. Scort, we are record in the history of Canton. For the sure, will not contend that the regulations greater part of the year, moreover, the two mentioned have been interpreted hitherto rival departments, the Maritime and the in a liberal manner. The Chinese alone Native Customs, were collecting dues and have profited so
When European duties. So well had the Hoppo organised traders are allowed to take full advantage his service that Chinese dealers, and even
of the concession for the obtaining of which many foreign merchants, readily availed Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD received so much themselves of the facilities placed at their praise, then they may congratulate them- disposal to ship goods, export and import, selves heartily. For the present the through the native office. A regular fleet foreigner is far from receiving the privileges of junks traded between Canton, Hongkong which are guaranteed to him by treaty, and and Maeno, and for years held their own
it is one of the points of the compact which against the daily river steamers with all
was signed by the British and Chinese their advantages of quick despatch. As commissioners on the night of the 5th regards this native-borne trade there are no
instant that the Inland Waters Regulations statistics issued. But fairly trustworthy are at last to be made more than rules un calculations, Mr. Scort writes, put the paper, ignored by the Chinese authorities lowest estimate nt fully Hk. Tis. 25,000,000
when possible and always made of as little annually. In addition there are the Kow-effect as could conveniently he managed. loon and Lappa Stations, where the figures are Hk. Tls. 60,654,660. This works out to a grand total for the Canton Del'a of Hk. Tls. 146,500,000.
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but we do not see sufficient reason for so doing. When the question of the abolition of lekin vas first mooted in connection with the treaty which has just been signed, the majority of home merchants in terested in the China trade accepted the idea readily, but those with the best know ledge of China were not sanguine. In the Far East itself the suggested abolition was looked on generally as of doul tful practica- bility, though in itself absolutely desirable. The further discussion of the treaty seems to lave converted Shanghai to a belief in the soundness of the sclicme, but the most experienced merchantile opinion in this port bardly agrees with Shanghai's view. It is felt that the expression uttered not long ago by the President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce was a very sensible one, when he said that the word lekin was to be wiped out of the Chinese dictionary, One hoped that some other Chinese word might not be fou: d to take its place." The North-China Daily News itself admits that it will rest with ur Ministers and Consuls
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to see that this provision is carried out in the spirit as well as the letter, and that no other levy on, or obstruction to, trade is craftily substituted for it. The responsibi- lity of the Consuls is indeed great, and it is
A very welcome point about the Canton trade is that foreign imports and exports alike continue to expand, in some cases when actual figures do not show the fact. The Consul speaks of the large quantity of certain commodities which pass through
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Mr. SCOTT's remarks show what a future is promised under more enlightened admini- stration. It is very evident that, unless something very surprising Lappens to affect trade, Canton's comn ercial bistory, long as it already is, is destined to be a record of continual
progress. In Horgkong it is un- necessary to say how important a matter this is for all British merchants interested in South China.
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