i
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Government at Canton called the Hoppo, who was levying duties on cargo carried by Chinese Junks at a less rate than that charged on similar cargo shipped by vessels of other Nationalities, the effect being to drive the trade into Chinese bottoms. The new scale of duties introduced was below that sauctioned by Treaty, and would have been warmly appreciated by the trade had its application been uniformly conceded to all Flags. After full consideration the Committee of this Chamber came to the conclusion that the action of the Chinese Official was contrary to Treaty, and, being so, called for immediate adjustment. It was decided to address a telegram to Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking, Sir JOHN WALSHAM, pointing out the irregularities that existed and asking for redress. This message was sent on the 19th, and was followed on the 23rd September by a despatch from the Chamber cumbodying full particulars of the grievances complained of. A copy of that letter I beg to enclose for your Lordship's perusal, and to it I would call particular attention, as therein will be found, detailed at length, the completo grievance of the shipping interests of the Colony in connection with this case.
To neither the telegram nor the despatch have the Chamber received the slightest acknowledgment from Her Britannic Majesty's Minister after a lapse of over two months. Meanwhile the preferential levy of duties to the detriment of British shipping has gone on unhindered.
This Chamber conceive it is within their province to bring to the notice of Her Britannic Majesty's Minister any irregularities by which the Treaty between China and Great Britain is being infringed, and also that it falls within the scope of Her Majesty's representative's powers to insist upon redress being given to just complaints when placed before him.
The Committee of this Chamber may be wrong in this assumption which has bitberto guided them, for such an hypothesis suggests itself, looking to the manner in which Her Britannic Majesty's Minister has almost studiously disregarded this Chamber's communications. It may be usefully mentioned that this is not the only instance of similar inaction on the part of Her Britannic Majesty's Minister of which this Chamber has had to complain. A reference to the illegal fining of a steamer in the Port of Amoy alluded to in the Chamber's letter 21st March last shewed that case to have remained nearly five years unanswered by Her Majesty's representative, and apparently unattended to. Should the Chamber's views be wrong and Her Britannic Majesty's Minister's duties do not empower him to receive, answer, and
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redress, the complaints of British merchants with the object of compelling treaty observances, then this Chamber will be glad to be informed to whom they are to apply in similar cases,
The gravity of the issues involved in the present complaint will be apparent to your Lordship. For if this Chamber's contention be incorrect, and the treaties have not been violated, it would appear that any special Officer of the Imperial Government of China cau at will ignore the treaties and, by granting preferential tariffs or other privileges to their own nationals, drive British trade from Chinese waters. If, on the other hand, the Chamber's contention be correct, and a breach of treaties has been committed no time should be lost in ut once demanding a return to Treaty provisions and compensation for the injuries sustained.-I have, &c.,
To the MARQUESS OF SALISBURY, K.G.,
E. MACKINTOSH, Chairman,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, &c., &c., Fc., Foreign Office, London.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 12th December, 1891.
SIR,I have the honour to inform you, by direction of His Excellency
the Governor, that as your letter of the 2nd instant was not received till 10.40 A.M. on that day, it was not possible to forward the enclosure therein addressed to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by the French Mail.
The enclosure to your letter was, however, forwarded through the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 9th instant.-I have, &c.,
W. MEIGH GOODMAN, Acting Colonial Secretary,
F. HENDERSON, Esq.,
Secretary, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 13th January, 1892.
MY LORD MARQUESS,--The Committee of this Chamber desire to crave your Lordship's attention to their letter of 1st December (published in the China Mail of January 14) in which they detailed the disabilities under which a certain section of the shipping trade of this Colony laboured owing to what they conceived to be a breach of the Treaties by the Chinese
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