( 18 )
Extract from a despatch from Foreign Office to Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce dated 29th May, 1892.
"The Chinese Ministers admitted that the action of the Hoppo had been "irregular and stated that they had already written to the Government of "Canton on the subject. Only a few days previously they had received a "telegram from the Viceroy, stating, on the authority of the Hoppo, that the "reduction in the native tariff no longer existed."
"The Viceroy had added that if any irregularities were still practised, "they must be due to unauthorized action on the part of the Hoppo's subor- "dinates."
"The Viceroy had asked that official to exercise strict supervision over "their conduct, and the Ministers hoped for a speedy removal of the abuses
complained of."
No. 45.
( 19 )
PERING, August 7th, 1893. SIR-Referring to your telegram of the 18th July complaining of the imposition of preferential duties on junk-carried tea from Canton, I have to remind you that I have not yet been furnished with the explanatory letter therein promised.
I am unable to take any action in the matter so long as I aw nuprovided with a statement of the facts upon which the complaint against the local authorities is founded, especially as I understand that the Viceroy denies the existence of such preferential dues.
It is obviously in the interest of British trade that no time should be lost in preferring proper representations to the Chinese Government should it appear that the statement of the facts warrants my doing so officially.- I am, &e.,
N. R. O'CONOR.
PEKING, July 18th, 1893.
SIR, I beg to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of to-day's date respecting differential duties imposed by the Hoppo at Canton in favour of junks, and in reply I have to say that I am making immediate inquiry into the matter which shall have my close attention.—I am, &e.,
N, R. O'CONOR.
The Chairman of the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG.
The Chairman, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 16th August, 1893.
SIR, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed com- munication of 18th July, and on behalf of the Committee of the Chamber beg leave to thank you for your very prompt reply to its telegram of the 18th ultimo with reference to the action of the Hoppo in again granting pre- ferential duties, and for your promised immediate attention to this matter.- I bave, &c.,
J. J. KESWICK, Chairman.
His Excellency N. R. O'CONOR, C.B., C.M.G.,
Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in China, Peking.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 26th August, 1893.
So, I have the bonour to acknowledge receipt of your esteemed com- munication of 7th instant from which I learn that the Chamber's letter of 25th July, confirming its telegram of 18th July, had not then reached you.
As the Chamber's letter seems to have miscarried or been unusually delayed, I beg to wait upon you with the enclosed copy of same to serve in case of need.
Awaiting the pleasure of your Excellency's reply to above letter before entering further into the question of the action of the Hoppo of Cantou as regards duties on cargo carried by native craft,-1 bave, &c.,
F. HENDERSON, Secretary.
His Excellency N. R. O'CONOR, C.B., C.M.G.,
Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in China, Peking.
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