C.O
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA RAILWAYS.
CONFIDENTIAL,
[17270]
No. 1.
RECO ¡REG 16 JUN 11
&
[May 8.]
SECTION 2.
(No. 168.) Sir,
Sir J. Jordan to Sir Edward Grey.-(Received May 8.)
Peking, April 19, 1911. WITH reference to my despatch No. 65 of the 10th February last, relative to the rates for merchandise on the Tonquin-Yunnan Railway, I have the honour to transmit herewith, for communication to the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, copy of a despatch from His Majesty's consul-general at Yünnau-fu, explaining that the rates mentioned in Mr. Wilton's report have been superseded.
Mr. O'Brien-Butler encloses two tables compiled from the new tariff, and observes that no preference is given to goods of French origin.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
I have, &c.
J. N. JORDAN,
Sir,
Consul-General O'Brien-Butler to Sir J. Jordun.
Yunnan-fu, March 22, 1911.
IN reply to your despatch of the 3rd February, addressed to His Majesty's consul at Hanoi, I have the honour to report as follows:-
I am unable to ascertain the grounds for the classification of goods, which in some cases appeared to overlap, in Mr. Wilton's table, copy of which was attached to your despatch. It is quite immaterial, however, as the railway tariff has been entirely changed. I enclose herewith two tables which I have compiled from the railway book of charges recently issued. The present rates for the conveyance of goods are based on the nature of the article and the distance transported, no preference being shown to goods from France or French possessions.
The freight on all goods carried by rail is divided into five series, based apparently on the value of the goods in relation to bulk. The more expensive and less bulky come into the first series, in which the charges are the highest; cheaper goods, occupying less space, come lower in the list, e.g., provisions, household articles, oil, clocks, and wines figure in the first series; raw metals, granite, &c., in the fourth, while coal, sand, and firewood belong to the fifth series.
For purposes of calculating distance, the railway is divided into tive zones. The tables below show the rates for goods and also the number of kilometers between the various places in each section or zone. The rates in the various zones differ considerably.
There are numerous variations in the rates, higher charges being levied for articles of a dangerous nature, and lesser for goods conveyed in whole waggon loads, but the rates given in the table will form a general guide to the merchant who intends to send merchandise into Tonquin or Yünnan.
I have, &c.
P. E. O'BRIEN-BUTLER,
[2021 h-2]
529
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