houst
39
7. As regards fines levied in Swatow (and justified
from the Customs point of view by the Annual Guarantee),
these have not been as heavy as at some other ports partly
perhaps because of good personal relations between the
Customs and Shipping Companies. In fact China Navigation
Company's steamers have been fined the maximum of Tls. 1000
once only. The Shipping Companieɛ are able to collect
the fines, in part, from the members of the crews concerned,
but it would seem unsatisfactory merely to fine persons
who are only the tools of powerful shore organisations.
They special officer to search later Ships before departure from AK. (Haras))
8. In Swatow no action has been taken by the Customs
&gainst these organisations. Not only do the latter have
friends in high places, but I gather that the legal
difficulties would be almost as great as the practical owing
to a gap in the Chinese Criminal Code. (Elsewhere the offence
has once or twice been dealt with under Art. 363). This
immunity of the real culprits seems to me the crux of the
local problem.
9. The position has long caused the Customs very
considerable uneasiness. On two or three occasions it has
come to my ears that a British ship has aroused the
suspicions of a revenue cruiser owing to her alleged
stopping near the shore, or unusual course, but, in the cases
I have in mind, no proof of malpractices has been forthcoming.
No doubt the Customs will gradually increase the number of
their revenue cruisers.
10. I am indebted for much information to the Customs,
Messrs. Bradley and Company and Messrs. Butterfield and
Swire (who have lent me their "Smuggling" file).
I have, etc.,
(Signed) J. P. Coghill.
Acting Consul.