of the Colony & the aid
Revenue
Cruizers were discussed. Refixed comments of
are
of the Editors, not at all favourable to the Chamber's view that
they had real grounds of complaint. Confusion evident in the mind
of the speakers
The
of several
at the Meeting
as to the
true meaning of transit dues,
&
the
distinction between transit & import
dues, is
a
remarkable in
body of Merchants & practical
men.
Neither did
they seem to have realised
plain meaning of the Treaty stipulations concerning opium; that, as regards Selling
or any
other inland dues, the Chinese
takes it may see fit upon
It may
please
143
that article.
the members of the
Chamber to style such taxes extra queris, but that does not alter the facts of the case or make them less legitimate.
It will be observed from the whole
tone of the debate &
given
many of the opinions that they ought to contend for
—
"the freedom of the port" — that they ought not to allow Chinese Cruizers to annoy the trade or that they should tell the Chinese that if unjust dues were levied, "we would say fight."
I was not far wrong in my anticipation of their views. As
of expediency
taxes
Govt has full power to levy whatever
As regards any power
over
shipments in Chinese
Junks for Chinese Territories, it is
obvious