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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[21145]
No. 1.
33136 [June 26.]
Res@ridaP107
N
Sir,
China Association to Foreign Office.-(Received June 26.)
159, Cannon Street, London, June 25, 1907. I AM directed by the Committee of the China Association to respectfully draw the attention of His Majesty's Government to discrimination in railway rates which appears to exist in Manchuria, in favour of the trade of Japan, to the detriment of that of other countries.
It is stated in the Imperial Maritime Customs' Newchwang Trade Report for 1906, that a discrimination in railway rates exists on the Southern Manchurian Railway, and that charges are arranged with a view of furthering a policy rather than of making a profit. It is further stated that the rate per ton per mile from Newchwang is double that from Talien; that as far as Mukden Newchwang has a slight advantage, the trade of Mukden being of no great consequence, but that beyond Mukden, and increasing with the distance, the advantage lies with Talien, so that by the time Kwanchengtze is reached the rate from Talien is nearly 24 yen per ton less than from Newchiwang.
Inasmuch as the great distributing centre, Kwanchengtze, is 130 miles nearer to Newchwang than it is to Talien, my Committee desire respectfully to represent to His Majesty's Government that some steps be taken to insure to British trade facilities commensurate with those enjoyed by Japan,
I have, &c. (Signed) C. GRENVILLE ALABASTER,
[2542 cc-1]
Secretary.