[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
AFFAIRS OF CHINA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[22374]
C O 23539
RECO R18, JUL IT
[June 9.]
SECTION 5.
Sir,
China Association to Foreign Office.-(Received June 9.)
159, Cannon Street, London, June 8, 1911. IN reference to your letter of the 14th October last, this association has been endeavouring to collect through its branches definite information on the subject of the alleged discrimination in favour of Japanese trade in Manchuria, and the general result is that such discrimination, if it existed, is already a thing of the past, and that there is little or no evasion of duty on the part of Japanese merchants in forwarding cargo to Manchuria.
The Newchwang Chamber of Commerce, indeed, write that the impression still prevails that laxity exists in the examination of goods at Dairen, but they admit that they are unable to bring forward any instances of undoubted authenticity. In regard to exemption certificates, the chamber remarks that as the Japanese authorities refuse to allow li-kin to be levied within their railway zone, their merchants have dispensed with the use of these certificates as a tiresome formality.
The Tien-tsin branch of this association write that they have no definite informa- tion, but that one of their members is now travelling in Manchuria, and we are promised a report later on.
A letter from the Shanghai branch, of which copy is enclosed, dated the 6th May, is more explicit. It states that there is no evidence that any malpractices exist in regard to evasion of duties on the part of Japanese merchants at the port of Dalny. They do, however, call attention to the irregular and confused manner in which the trade returns are compiled by the customs at Dalny, the unreliability of which for any given period would appear to be the source of suspicion of malpractice. This is a matter which would seem to admit of easy remedy.
The association venture to call attention to the suggestion in the last paragraph of the Shanghai letter, viz., that the Kiaochow customs agreement should be adopted at Dalny, a proposition which it is said the Japanese authorities would regard with favour.
I have, &c.
G. JAMIESON, Chairman.
Dear Sir,
Enclosure in No. 1.
China Association, Shanghai, to General Committee.
May 6, 1911. WITH reference to your letters of the 24th March and 7th April, I have now been furnished with particulars on this question, which have been submitted to His Majesty's consul-general, and which he states are confirmed by the replies he lias received to his enquiries.
There is no evidence that any malpractices exist in regard to the evasion of duties on the part of Japanese merchants in forwarding cargo into Manchuria. It appears that the Imperial Maritime Customs in Dalny are honestly administered, and that the South Manchurian Railway Company loyally assist and carry out faithfully their obligations to the Imperial Maritime Customs.
The procedure for forwarding cargo from Dalny into Manchuria is as follows :— 1. An application giving particulars of the cargo to be forwarded up-country is lodged at the customs in the same manner as an export application would be made here.
2. The cargo is examined, and duty, if any, is assessed.
3. The cargo, having passed the customs and duty having been paid, is chopped with a special chop by the examination office, after which it can be loaded on to a car destined for up-country.
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