(r_31_1/52/10)
Conential.
Shanghai Office of the
Inspectorate General of Customs,
21. Hart aoad.
Shanghai.
8th July, 1929.
146
Dear Mr. Stephenson,
The application of the higher Tariff has
naturally resulted in an increase of smuggling, and
in order to protect Revenue interests as much as possible,
I have submitted certain proposals to the chinese
Government. I append hereto a translation of my general
recommendations on the subject, which have been entirely
accepted and approved.
In regard to the Frontier Guards, it
will necessarily take time to organise them, more especial},
as close investigation must precede action. Shen explai:
ing my views to the Linister of Finance a few days ago, I
mentioned to him that in order to ensure efficiency it would
be necessary, in my opinion, to provide for a mixed
Preventive Staff - Chinese and foreign. As you are aware,
sir F. Aglen was definitely instructed some three years ago
to cease recruiting foreigners for the Customs, and until
I was authorised recently to engage some foreign Tidewaiters,
onr recruiting of late has thus been confined solely to
Chinese.
when ir. T. V. Soon, Minister of finance, heard
what I had to say in this connexion, he informed me that
J.
. stephenson, Esq.,
Non-Resident Secretary,
London.
he