2
There is another point in connection with sale of transit-pass goods en route before arrival at destination, a right which the officials have to admit, but are trying to obstruct. Suppose transit-pass goods under destination (hsien or chon) A stop and are sold halfway at the chief towns of district B, which is on the main road from Teng Yueh to A, then will such goods have the right to circulate freely throughout the villages and markets in district B without payment of li-kin. I claim that they have.
Either nothing is payable, or if anything is payable it is the whole li-kin (or yarn) of 2.50 taels a load, plus Prefect's tax, usually one tael, which comes to a very heavy impost.
serious
In considering these points, it must be remembered not only that li-kin is paid in a lump sum as described above, but also that there are li-kin stations at practically every market, and that there is no escape for goods anywhere unless the fullest extension is given to transit-pass privileges.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
# CHINA TRADE
## CONFIDENTIAL
No. 1.
Foreign Office to China Association.
63
[December 16.]
### SECTION 1.
Sir,
Foreign Office, December 16, 1903.
I AM directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to transmit to you the accompanying extract from a despatch,* addressed by the Acting British Consul at Yunnan-fu to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, in which he raises certain questions as to the payment of li-kin on transit pass goods, when such goods after arrival at their destination go out of the district entered on the pass, and as to the sale of transit pass goods en route.
Lord Lansdowne would be glad to be furnished with any observations which your Association may have to offer on the inclosed despatch.
I am, &c. (Signed) T. H. SAUNDERSON,
* Inclosure 2 in Mr. Litton's No. 15, October 1, 1903.
[2250 q-1]