COPY
A
Enclosure in Canton despatch No. 87 of July 24th, 1929.
Sir,
British Chamber of Commerce,
491
Canton, July 17th, 1929.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant covering copy of a despatch from
His Majesty's Consul at Amoy with reference to the effects of
the increase of smuggling from Hongkong into China as it
affects British firms, which this Chamber has read with
considerable interest.
In the opinion of this Chamber Hongkong is certainly
benefitting by the smuggling which is the obvious result of
the increased Maritime Customs Tariff. Kerosene is being
smuggled in considerable quantities and wines, spirits and
beer are also evading duty. Owing to the short period
in which the new tariff has been in operation this Chamber
is unable to determine effects on British trade at this
port but there can be little doubt that smuggling must, in
course of time, seriously affect the local British merchant.
This Chamber trusts that steps will be taken by the
Nationalist Government to protect their revenues by a
Preventive Service or other efficient means.
There is also the danger that unreliable firms regis-
tered as British will deal direct with home manufacturers
through Hongkong and owing to their questionable business
methods may be the means of bringing British trade into
disrepute unless smuggling is checked.
I have, etc.,
(Sa) G.M.D.D. Wolf.
G. S. Moss, daquire, C.B.E.,
H.B.M. Consul-General.
Canton.
Chairman
•
Page 50Page 51