3 copies)
pies to:
B
sub-Legation, Nanking, Governor, Hongkong, No. 18 Consul, Amoy.
Consul, Swatow.
CONFIDENTIAL.
H.B.M. CONSULATE-GENERAL,
CANTON.
11th February, 1933.
45
Sir,
2.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of despatch
No.113 (5/32V/1932) of the 24th December last in which you
desire me to furnish a report upon the various points raised
by John Swire and Sons, Limited, on the subject of the
prevalence of smuggling from Hongkong to Chinese territory.
For some time past there has been a strong under-
current of resentment against the Chinese Customs at Canton
on account of the constant and heavy fines inflicted by them
against British ships plying to Canton and I am not at all
surprised that this feeling has at last found expression in a
formal protest. I ought, however, to point out that I have
not been officially approached in the matter, the reason most
likely being that the British shipping firms here have been
loth to put their grievances forward lest the Customs should
retaliate by making conditions even still more difficult.
Upon receipt of your despatch No.113 I have been
at pains to collect information from British shipping
companies as to the amount of the fines levied upon their
ships and I give below a summary of
3.
their replies.
4. Messrs. Deacon & Company, Limited, Agents for the
Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamship Company have sent to
me two lists showing fines imposed during the year.
Schedule
His Majesty's Minister,
British Legation,
Peking.