Enclosure.
13110
Reed
Magship Minister at Poting
subject of the reported
inter
Be
whow of
the Chivive Government to seek an
increase in the duties Eviable on
foreign goods imported into China.
2
I entirely
concur in
the opinion expressed by the Chamber that it would be of great benefit
to trade in China if the duty levied
at the port of arrival rendered good
free of all further buia or internal
Ja sation.
I have the honour to be,
Your
Sir,
most obedient
humble servant,
Willinen Rebines 7
Copy.
Mike not
SIR,
R22 JUN 16
101
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 16th May, 1896.
An announcement made by Reuter's Agency on the 4th instant to the effect that His Excellency LI HUNG-CHANG intends visiting the Courts of the various Treaty Powers, partly with a view to obtaining an increase of five to eight per cent, ad valorem of the import duties levied on foreign goods in China has aroused the attention of this Chamber, the question being one that seriously concerns all those engaged in commerce in this Colony and the Chinese Treaty Ports.
Whilst recognising the fact that, under certain conditions and guarantees, the duties might not unreasonably be subjected to some increase, the Committee are most anxious that the principle even should not be conceded unless it is first laid down that the increased duty is to free the goods absolutely from all further charge throughout the Chinese Empire. That is to say, an increased import duty, levied at the port of arrival, shall render such goods free of lekin and all other taxes whatsoever.
Supposing the Chinese Government concede this point, the question then remains, what guarantees can be obtained that the various local imposts, which are at present the mainstay of the officials in South China, will not still remain a burden on the back of trade, rendered the more intolerable to the extent of the additional duty? The guarantees would need to be ample and reliable, similar to those afforded in certain matters by the collection being placed in the hands of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.
The unfortunate failure of the Imperial Government, when negotiating the provisions of the New Treaty with Japan, to consult with, or refer the matter to, the Hongkong Government, was the means of placing the leading industry in this Colony at a most serious disadvantage, whereby a disastrous, if not fatal, blow will be given to its sugar refining trade when the Treaty comes into force.
It is therefore not without much anxiety that my Committee regard the pro- posed alteration of the tariff under the Treaties with China, and they earnestly hope that before any definite steps are taken in that direction, an opportunity will be afforded to all the Chambers of Commerce interested to consider and express their views upon any changes that may be contemplated.
To His Excellency
SIR CLAUDE MACDONALD, K.C.M.G.,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary.
Her Britannic Majesty's Minister in China,
PEKING.