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of Britisà trade in Canten.
The question of the Cuștems
Tariff is one of the mujer political issues in China
at the present time. The Chiness claim to the exercise
of tariff autonomy has been recognised in principle
bat tán ezereise of tariff autonomy will involve the
adjustment of many complicated problems relating to
the sethod of collecting the Customa rovenues ander tæe
new tariff, tam amolition of the independent sartax
bureaux referred to above, tao banking and disposal of
the reveaues when sollected and the arrangementa for
tae service of the logas secured on those revenues.
is of great importance to British interests that a
satisf«atory anderstanding should be reached with the
Chinese ca thorities on all these points but if be fore
negotiatione are begun it is found that part of the
revennea in question have already osen plodged as
security for foreiga loans the whole position will havo
been padermined in advance.
The Nationalist Governsent at Banking are
believed to be considering plans of finansial
reor gani sution wish & view to taking on their ow
shoulders the responsibility for the liquidation of she
uneecured/
It