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Nan-ming-fu is a walled prefectural town also in Kwang-si, situated 363 miles further up the West River, near where it forks into two sections, the smaller branch running south to Lung-chow near the borders of Toukiu, the larger one being navigable for small craft to Po-ngai, a frontier lekin station in Yunnan. population of Nan-ning-fu is estimated at between 30,000 and 40,000, and although possessing few manufactures is the seat of a considerable trade, which would be largely increased if it were to become an open port. There are intervening rapids on the river, but they are generally reported to be capable of navigation. It is, however, impossible to speak with any certainty on this point owing to the want of accurate information, but the sources of intelligence open to the Chamber encourage the belief that the navigation would be practicable at all events in the summer
season.
Tsun-chow-Fu, a considerable town situated at the junction of the West River with the Pak Ho, an important tributary which runs into it from the north-west, would be likely to develop into a valuable way-port and distributing centre, and in the winter season, when the water runs low, might also serve as the terminus of steamer navigation if vessels were unable to reach Nan-ning.
The advantages which would accrue to foreign commerce generally, as well as as to Hongkong, by the opening to steam navigation of the West River and tributaries would certainly be very great. This Colony, situated as it is at the mouth of the Canton River, would not only be a larger distributing centre than it is now but it would benefit greatly by the increased passenger traffic which would necessarily follow upon increased facilities of transport.
The opening up of the West River would also be of great advantage to the Chinese population in the neighbourhood. It would secure to the Chinese Government increased revenue through the Custom Houses in the several districts through which the river passes, it would give an impulse to inland production by bringing produce within reach of a market, and it would augment and enrich the population of the villages and towns throughout the route. Another consideration, and one that ought, in the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce, to weigh with the Chinese Government is that steam navigation on the West River would minimize the danger of famine in Kwang-si by rendering succour possible. Hitherto whenever famines have occurred the Chinese Governinent has been unable to relieve the distressed population, and fearful sufferings have been entailed thereby.
The conditions of trade in Southern China are at present from all points of view unsatisfactory, and it must be admitted as a fact that the Imperial Government of China is cognizant of the provincial abuses which retard commercial development.
The Provincial Governments do not generally receive the Customs revenues collected at their maritime ports and have to impose landward dues in order to raise funds for various and local objects. This is done in an arbitrary manner and foreign goods under "transit passes" are no longer exempted from these imposts. To such an extent is this now the case that transit passes have become a dead-letter, and treaty obligations in respect to them are entirely ignored in most parts of Kwangtung. The effect upon foreign trade is serious, as there is no security from the most outrageous exactions, and at the present time transit passes are hardly applied for owing to the threats of violence and confiscation of goods which are meted out to native traders. In the opinion of this Chamber the opening of the West River to steam navigation would remove, or at all events modify, throughout the route the onerous lekin imposts. Such an occasion should be seized to bring about a re-adjustment of the transit pass privileges which have ceased to be observed, and a removal of all those hindrances to the free development of enterprise among a people by nature so industrious and so disposed to commercial adventure.
The development of the trade at the Yangtsze ports, and the stimulus given to industry and commerce since the Great River was opened to the Treaty Powers affords some criterion of what may be expected if the Riverine ports in Kwangtung and Kwang-si are brought within reach of the outside world. At Chungking, the lust port on the Yangisze at which foreigners have been permitted to reside for purposes of trade, and in spite of the relinquishment of the rights acquired by treaty in regard to reaching it by steamers, the development has been remarkable, and the value of its commerce has attained by last Customs returns to the figures of Haikwan Taels 5,780,000 Imports, und Taels 3,470,000 Exports.
The concession to France of the right to trade at Langehow in Kwang-si and at Môngtszu in Yunnan has had the effect of creating a volume of business at these places of a value in 1892 of Haikwan Taels 24,000 Imports, Tuels 12,400 Exports,
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