from their country of origin. The shipping trade of the Colony would suffer by the imposition of increased duties.
4.
In reply to the fourth paragraph of your
Despatch it would appear from enquiries made that the trans-ship-
-ment at Hongkong of goods from Canada destined for France is practically unknown for the reason that such goods as would, but
for the maximum tariff, be trans-shipped at this port are now
trans-shipped in Japan, thereby escaping the larger tax. Un- -doubtedly, if the maximum tax were accepted, goods which are now trans-shipped in Japan would be brought to Hongkong for this pur- -pose, but France would lose no revenue thereby and it is diffi-
-cult therefore to understand why she should require any conces-
-sion.
5.
I have to state in reply to paragraph 5 of your Despatch that the British Shipping Companies trading bet- -ween Canadian Ports are the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Ocean Steamship Company and the China Mutual Steam Navigation Company. The first named Company has no connecting link with Europe from this port but the two latter Companies can of course comply with the requirement of the French Government that trans-shipment be made only between vessels belonging to the same Company.
6.
In view of the above facts I would urge that renewed representations be made to the French Government with a view to ascertaining whether the requirement regarding trans- -shipment cannot be relaxed and some convention arrived at where- -by the trade of the Colony with France would be placed on a
satisfactory footing.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble servant,
au Sever
Officer Administering the Government