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which is by no means large nor likely to expand. (The average annual amount of Coast trade duty, collected at Fuchow and Samshui, since these ports have been open to trade is taels 3,090.).
The provincial Treasury on the other hand would be a gainer, as a uniform rate of 5% along the river would be in excess of present local rates, and this prospect of additional revenue should go some way towards removing apprehension and opposition, and securing the goodwill of the Provincial Officials.
A final argument in favour of adopting some such scheme as that outlined above is that it would result in the removal of the necessity for maintaining a Customs Staff at the West River Stages, or for continuing to keep open so commercially unimportant a Treaty Port as Samshui.
(sd.) J. M. Jamieson,
Commercial Attaché.
Shanghai, August 5th, 1901.
Note.-
The collection of Native Customs dues by the Maritime Customs, a subject at present under discussion, would greatly facilitate the introduction of a uniform method of taxation, whereby the dues on junkborne cargo would conform to those on steamerborne goods, and thus get rid of the differential charges.
(sd.) J. M. Jamieson.