293.
Muchandize in transit from a port in China to another port should be allowed to be landed and transhipped in this Colony, without being subject to the same restrictions as at present duly.
We are highly pleased to approve of the importance which His Excellency The Governor attaches to the subject, not only in the interests of Honghang China.
2. but in those of the whole trades The intimate relations existing between HongKong and the Ports, and the natural advantages possessed by the Colony render it, through its vast steam communication, the entrepot for Merchandize from the East, and it is a hindrance to the development of trade generally, to interpose distinction between goods going from one port to another, and those passing through HongKong.
3. The present custom system is beneficial to no interest and believe if a more liberal probing were adopted, the extension of trade would lead to an increased revenue; and notwithstanding that the Gentleman at Petri, who at present fills the post of Her Majesty's Minister, is afraid it would make "the great conforsions of the South of China", there is no reason why a course of policy should not be pursued, that is calculated to promote the extension of trade generally, and