when I see him that we cannot consent to any fees, however small they may be, being levied on British-chartered junks otherwise than through the agency of the Maritime Customs.
I propose to visit Shasi as soon as the Taotai returns to his post.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY H. FOX.
Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
Page 588
JA TRADE.
IDENTIAL.
30958
[July 28.]
REC
SECTION 1.
REGE 22 AUC 06
No. 1.
No remarks.
May 22, 1906,
(Signed)
E. H. FRASER.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Chen, Tuotai of the Ching-I Circuit, to Consul Fox.
(Translation.) Sir,
April 23, 1906. I have the honour to inform you that I have received a despatch from Dr. Rossler, the German Consul (at Hankow), in which he states that, having referred the question of the proposed levy of junk fees to be devoted to the upkeep of the tracking paths through the gorges to the German Minister in Peking, his Excellency has replied that he has no objection to the proposal on the understanding that the collection and expenditure of the fund is placed on a satisfactory basis, and that detailed statements showing the actual amounts collected and the manner in which they are being expended be furnished at regular intervals, and be open to the inspection of the Consul and merchants interested. The Acting Consul goes on to say that he has heard the British Minister will place no difficulties in the way of the scheme if it is carried out in the manner indicated in his despatch. The Maritime Customs being intrusted with the collection of other dues, it would be easy for them to undertake the collection of these fees and hand them over to the Road Improvement Office. The Consul concludes by hoping that the Chinese authorities will see their way to adopting the arrangement suggested in order that the proposed works on the tracking paths, which will undoubtedly be of great service to the Chinese and foreign interests concerned, may be commenced as soon as possible.
I have the honour to state that on receipt of your reply to my former despatch (on this subject) I at once reported your view of the matter to the Viceroy. His Excellency, in his reply dated the 12th April, says that after considering the question he has come to the conclusion that the method of collecting these road improvement fees originally proposed by the Magistrate Chang, namely, a fee of 2 cash on every 1,000 cash of freight to be paid by the junk-master and another 2 cash per 1,000 to be paid by the shipper, junk-master and shipper thus contributing in equal proportions, is the fairest arrangement, and one that will not interfere with the revenue. The British Consul's proposal that the Maritime Customs should collect these fees would entail their being included in the revenue returns, which would not be at all desirable. His Excellency directs me to place this view of the matter before you, and to explain that the sums involved being so small they cannot properly be included in the customs revenue; the payment of an additional 2 cash on every 1,000 cash of freight would not seem to be a matter for a difference of opinion.
In communicating the above to you for your information, I have the honour to observe that this kind of levy is not a tax but a voluntary contribution for a charitable purpose.
(Seal of the Ching-I Taotai.)
Question asked in the House of Commons, July 28, 1906.
L. Corbett, To ask the Prime Minister whether he intends to introduce legislation giving effect to the unanimous vote of the House of Commons against Opium traffic between India and China.
Answer.
The answer is in the negative. I do not expect that legislation will be required to give effect to such measures as the Government may consider expedient.
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