Permission to work mines.
Desirability of
more frequent
visits of H. M.'s Minister to Treaty ports.
Benefits to be
derived from constructing #tattroads.
commensurate with the spirit and intention of the Treaty, as plainly evinced by the fact that vessels trading to Hongkong are, with respect to the payment of tonnage Dues, on precisely the same footing as if trading to any Treaty port. By with- drawing this concession (an eminently beneficial one, the Chamber believes, to the 245 general interests both of foreign and native trade in this part of China) the Customs compel sea-going steamers to load and discharge at Canton, a port unfit for vessels of a deep draft, instead of availing of the more convenient mode of working in conjunction with the admirable River Steamers plying between the two places. This arbitrary change in the policy of the Chinese Customs seems to arise from a desire to ignore Hongkong and to enhance the importance of Canton as a resort of shipping, but, while the relative conditions of the two places in respect of harbor accommodation must prevent such an idea from being realised, the absence of the facility referred to is certainly a great drawback to those Shipping interests on which the prosperity of Hongkong, as a Colony, so much depends. The Chamber therefore expresses a most earnest hope that it will be arranged permanently that merchandise coming from one Treaty port and bound to another may be transhipped in Hongkong under the same conditions in respect of Duty as if transhipped in a Treaty port.
(43.)
The removal of unnecessary restrictions and the destruction of unfair, because partial, privileges is a matter which Her Majesty's Government, by universal advocacy of all that has tended to promote a liberal Commerce, can fairly press upon the attention of the Chinese Government. The Chamber has already alluded to many burdens to Trade which they trust will, under Treaty revision, be removed in China, in addition to these there is an exceptional restriction practised in Formosa which being in contravention of the obligations entered into by the Chinese Government, is here noticed. Camphor is one of the most important exports from Tamsui; its production, however, is greatly checked by being monopolised or farmed by the Chinese Government, who make sale of the article illegal except to its own nominee. This restriction is injurious not only to the producer, who is compelled to dispose of the Camphor to the monopolist, but to the Foreign buyer who is also compelled to submit to his extortions. The throwing open of this trade to free competition has been withheld on no tenable grounds.
(44.)
The abolition of all imposts upon Coal would undoubtedly lead to an increased demand for that fuel, which could only be met by working mines with appliances common in foreign countries, with this in view it is important that permission to work mines of all descriptions and to employ necessary machinery be granted to British subjects. Coal is found in Chekiang, Oopack, Shantung and the Canton Province, also in Formosa: it is at present surface worked. The Chinese Govern- ment exercise seignioral rights, which if defined in a liberal sense would facilitate the progress of mining.
(45.)
The recent inspection of Consular establishments at the open ports by Her Majesty's Minister has been productive of good and the Chamber cannot but express the opinion that an annual visitation is likely to be fruitful of further benefit. A visit of Her Majesty's Minister, accompanied by Naval force suitable to his rank, would gain respect for Her Majesty's Government which Chinese Officials, distant from the capital, would not otherwise accord; representations concerning irregularities made by Her Majesty's Minister after personal investigation would carry weight which could not be gained by correspondence carried on with Peking.
(46.)
r==5——་་
It is a matter for regret that the Chinese Government has not given encourage- ment to those who have of late been desirous of introducing a system of Railways into the country, the Chamber considers it desirable that the privilege should be accorded, and that to insure this an additional Treaty clause be provided as, though great difficulties stand in the way of their introduction, these are not insuperable.
DEX