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C
in safe-guarding the Chinese Revenue inspire more serious
spprehension. That apprehension is probably exaggerated,
because the pretensions of the Customs Authorities appear
inarissible; but there can be no doubt that it would be
shared by every member of the Association if it were thought
possible that they could be entertained.
The question is one of long standing. Complaints of
interference by the Chinese Revenue cruisers with the junk
trade had been so persistent that cognisance was taken of
the fact in the Chefco Convention (1376) in the following
teras:-
"The Governor of Hongkong, having long complained
of the interference of the Cunton fustoms Reverue
cruisers with the junk trade of that Colony, the
Chinese Government agrees to the appointment of a
Commission, to consist of a British Consul, an Officer
of the Hongkong Government, and a Chinese Officiel of
equal rank, in order to the establishment of some
system that shall anable the Chinese Government to
protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests
of the colony.”
A Commission appointed in pursuance of that under-
standing agreed upon the following, among other conditions, which are expressed in an Agreement signed at Tientsin on
the 11th September, 18361-
*That en Offled under the Foreign Inspectorate
shall be established on Chinese Territory at a con-
vendont sot on the Kowloong side, for sale of Chinese opiten-duty certificates, which shall be freely sold to all comere, and for such quantities of opium aë
they may require."
""bit Junks trading between Chinese Ports and Mongkong, and their cargoes, shall not he
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