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want to make now is that I cannot help feeling that the
Customs, relying on their immunity from legal proceedings,
are sometimes inclined to act not only harshly but down-
right illegally. Particularly is this so in regard to the
fining of ships for one alleged offence or another under
threat of withdrawal of annual guarantee privileges. I
am not anxious to take the matter up officially though I may
have to do so later, but I would ask you to consider whether
there is not more than a little substance in these serious
allegations, and if it would not be possible for the Customs
quite apart from any question of legality or illegality to
take up a more accommodating line in such matters.
The Customs have had such a fine record of equity
and fair dealing which you have done much to maintain, so I
have no hesitation in appealing to you personally not to
allow that record to be damaged by what I would like to think
was merely an excés de zèle on the part of Commissioners in
combing out every possible source of revenue these hard
times rather than the considered policy of the Inspectorate-
General.
Yours ever,
(SIGNED) E.M. 3. INGRAM.