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His Excellency was sure that it would be only in case of some unavoidable trouble that such an appeal would be made. As to residence permanently, he had already pointed out that Her Majesty's Government does not consider it expedient; but, if foreign merchants desired to trade in the country, it was only necessary for them to acquire some little knowledge of the language, and to behave judiciously, being careful to make no unnecessary display of their rights as foreigners. This was His Excellency's own opinion on the matter.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR begged to point out that under the provision made, the Chinese local officials would be able to "squeeze" the landlords of foreign houses as much as they wished.
His EXCELLENCY said that no Treaty provision could possibly prevent this. Unless the advantages to be gained by proceeding into the interior to trade outweighed any squeezes that might be imposed in this manner, it would certainly not be worth any foreigner's while to go into the country. The objection applied equally to everything. There was always the danger that local officials might take advantage of their position to squeeze the people.
Hon. J. B. TAYLOR thought that the object of the Treaty was to increase the facilities for legitimate trade, and chiefly to give employment to the large manufacturing population of Lancashire. He would be glad if His Excellency could inform him whether he was right in understanding that a native could not get a refund of any excess of duties over the Transit Duties, in the same way a British merchant could.
His EXCELLENCY stated that, with respect to Chinese-owned native produce, the Treaty of Tientsin never contemplated giving to it the benefit of the Transit Dues clause. It must be British-owned native produce; Chinese-owned had no protection whatever.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR enquired whether this would be the case when the goods were in Chinese hands.
His EXCELLENCY said it would be the same whether they were being carried by Chinese or by British subjects.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR observed that these passes had been found practically a dead letter.
His EXCELLENCY observed this did not result from their purport not being to relieve the goods of the taxes.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR admitted that this would be a great boon, if only fairly carried out.
His EXCELLENCY said that there was a great security for this to be found in being able to call in the aid of the Maritime Customs, and having an appeal to the Central Government.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR said that was the point upon which the Chamber desired information. If the native paid more than 23 per cent., would he be entitled to a refund?
His EXCELLENCY said that he would be so.
JANUARY 7, 1870.
Hon. J. B. TAYLOR enquired with reference to the rule that should produce be shipped for conveyance to a treaty port, no make-up for inland duties, over 24 per cent. would be allowed, whether this would apply to Teas, for example, sent from Hankow to Shanghai.
His EXCELLENCY replied that when merely shipping to a coast port a refund could be got.
Hon. J. B. TAYLOR enquired if foreigners could lease mines under the new convention.
His EXCELLENCY said they could not.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR enquired whether it was competent for foreigners to open manufactories at the Treaty ports.
His EXCELLENCY said there was nothing against such a course in the Treaty.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR enquired whether opium was one of the articles which was allowed to circulate without passes.
His EXCELLENCY said certainly not, as opium was expressly exempted from the protection of the Transit Dues clause.
Hon. Mr. TAYLOR then said there were some articles in the Treaty especially affecting Hongkong. The closing of the port of Kiunchow, in Hainan, was much regretted in this Colony.
His EXCELLENCY said it seemed to him that a port, which had been open for ten years without any nation appointing a Consul thereto, could not be of much importance.
Mr. POLLARD, Q.C., said the principal reason was the prohibition from the customs at Canton.
His EXCELLENCY recollected that there was some stir made about the matter, but it was allowed to drop.
Mr. POLLARD stated that so far as the merchants here were concerned, the matter was allowed to slumber because the revision of the treaty was near at hand.
His EXCELLENCY said that foreigners had no right to complain about the nature of the trade conducted by Chinese in...
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