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Kowloon Stations (i.e. the Railway Station) and a different
tariff at other Kowloon Stations; and should complications of
this nature emerge (as the result of diverse instructions) the
Hongkong Government may consider it desirable to request us to
cease collecting duty temporarily in British territory and
arrange instead to collect duty on the Hongkong-Canton Railway
trade either at Shunchun (the Frontier) or at Canton, and thus
avoid raising awkward questions which might cause general
embarrassment. I sent you a letter dated 21st October last,
transmitting a copy of a communication to the Shanghai
Commissioner regarding the recent introduction of the new
tariff in Shanghai, which defines the attitude that I adopted
on that occasion, but it should be borne in mind that the
conditions prevailing here differ from those prevailing in foreign territory (e.g. Hongkong); and that action considered
suitable in Shanghi should not necessarily form a precedent
for similar action elsewhere. It is realised, of course, that
we function in the Colony (instead of at the Frontier) mainly
for the convenience of the Hongkong merchants, and that as the
guests of the Colony our desire is to continue to work in
harmony with the local Authorities; that it is in the interest
of the revenue for us to facilitate the Hongkong/Canton trade;
and that we should avoid, if possible, irksome formalities likely to impede rather than help the conduct of local business. And while adhering to the above general principles, it is desirable in the present case for us to know how we stand in relation to the probable introduction of the new tariff, and
what is likely to be the attitude of the Colonial Authorities in
this connection. The aim should be in the general interest of
all concerned to accelerate the resumption of Railway traffic and general trade with Canton; and try and obviate controversial issues likely either to embarrass the nong Kong Government or