of British shipping he would find it very difficult to
put up a goed case on behalf of their interests which
were being so poorly protected by themselves.
11.
As a result the Compradore of the ship was
dismissed and the local agent of the Company has been
active in endeavouring to force the Navigation Bureau
to assist in removing and confiscating all umanifested
cargo. The only result of his efforts has been that
the sub-office of the Bureau at Tang Chia T'o wrote to
the Company to say that any cargo which had paid duty was not smuggled cargo and they could not seize it:
that is to say, any cargo which had paid the search
party what they consider to be the duty required, would
be free from their attentions.
12.
In replying to the representations made by the Chinese authorities His Majesty's Consul-General stated that so far as the British shipping firms were concerned they were only too anxious to stop smuggling as it was
not only against the policy of such firms but also a- gainst their interests. His Majesty's Consul-General pointed out the difficulty which shipping companies had in trying to stop this evil practice, quoting an instance where when "pidgin" cargo had been discovered and removed the officers were attacked by certain of the crew and armaval guard had to come to the ir assistance, and conèluded by saying "anything the shipping companies can do, they will do, to assist in putting down this
smuggled cargo nuisance, but they must have the loyal
co-operation of the Chinese officials, otherwise the difficulties are almost insuperable."
13./