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later without breach of a principle.
The
imposition, however, of what in these surtaxes are
in reality increased duties, was the gage of
battle itself. If permitted at all there was an
end to the treaty (Nanking 1842 and Tientsin
1858). This at least was plain to Chinese.
To consider the question of what the
effect on Hong Kong or Chinese trade will be of
the present increased taxation is, then, difficult
in the lack of knowledge of what these demands
may reach.
from the South
The composition of the present movement
South is said to be present largely
American-educated Chinese; it is possible that, taking
the case of the United States as applying
to China, they may consider that any burden of dues
can be borne by trade and а country not
cease to be prosperous.
This Colony may be said for many
reasons to be likely to be differently affected to
ports that are in China itself. Thus: industries
would tend here to increase within the shelter of
a free port in proportion as circumstances are
adverse to progress in the neighbouring districts.
The same would apply to immigration and to the
deposit of wealth. In Shanghai and other ports
the power to encourage and protect trade from
official rapacity that has been taken advantage of
by Chinese since the days of the Taiping rebellion
appears