PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE
T LITT T
C.O.
Reference -
882
3
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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perhaps, if they supplied the Hong Kong Government with one, that it would be used against them, as undoubtedly it would in cases of complaint for overcharge of duties. At ail events, they assert their Tariff is the same as the foreign one, and therefore there is no necessity for furnishing a copy.
With regard to the terms which should, if possible, be obtained, as mentioned in paragraph 6, the replies to them may be summarized :-
1st That with the exception of the salt gabelle which is farmed out, all the Revenue cruisers are under the immediate authority of the Hoppo.
2nd. The tariff the Hoppo will not supply, and he would probably refuse the regula- tions also. There is no difficulty in obtaining the ports and stations at which the duties are paid.
3rd. The appointinent of a Joint Board to sit at Hong Kong or Chinese Kowloong, would. I think, be impracticable.
As regards paragraph eight, it is probable that abuses do still exist, as must be the case in all China, whether it be in Government or Private establishments, and I much fear that the Chinese residents at Hong Kong are not more immaculate than on the mainland. I do not take the side of the Chinese authorities in their action as regards the collection of duties, for it is faulty in many respects, but at the same time they are not wholly to blame, and if an arrangement could be arrived at which would prevent or ameliorate the unpleasant feeling which exists on the subject, it would be very desirable.
Having thus briefly adverted to the two despatches, I may observe that there may be occasional cause for complaint against the action taken by the Customs authorities in their endeavours to levy their duties, but I think the fears of the Government and foreign community of Hong Kong of the effects of the strict surveillance which is kept are some- what exaggerated. I have frequently made enquiries on the subject, and within these three months have obtained a Memorandum upon the trade of Hong Kong from an unquestion- able authority, a copy of which I have the honour to inclose, and from which it will be seen that the trade of the Colony has not only not diminished, but is in a flourishing condition. It is difficult therefore to reconcile the statements made at public meetings and endorsed by the Colonial Government, with the published facts and figures from which this memorandum was drawn. That there are grievances is highly probable, but possibly more is made of them than they deserve, and more heard of them, through the facilities which offer for Chinese protesting against the acts of their own officials through the medium of the Colonial Government, than otherwise would be.
I have on a former occasion given my views upon this subject, of the so-called “blockade," and it is unnecessary to go over the same ground, but whether the cause of grievance which the Colonists allege exists, is or is not of the importance they give to it, is not of much consequence. They doubtless do believe in the hardship, and their Govern- ment supports them in it, and under such circumstances controversy is useless, and the only resource left is to see how far it is possible to remove that feeling by remedial
measures.
There can be no question but that the fiscal system of the Chinese Government is faulty to a degree. The collection of Revenue without being farmed, as is generally supposed, is left too much in the irresponsible hands of high provincial officers and their subordinates; hence the duty is performed much in the manner to be expected from a system of the kind. The remedy of this, and the establishment of a better one can only be found in a reform of the Fiscal Law of the Empire, and as that is hopeless at present, the only thing to be done is to see how far the existing system can be made to accord with the foreign element which meets in the Colony of Hong Kong.
With this view it was at one time proposed to levy the China Import and Export Duties in the Colony, but difficulties of a legal character intervened, and the plan was laid aside. The appointment of a Chinese Consular Officer was then suggested, to collect from junk masters receipts for export duties on goods imported into the Colony from China, and issue to them similar receipts for the import duties of goods shipped to China from Hong Kong, but the objection to this scheme was the danger of placing the native trade of the port so much under the control of a Chinese officer for very obvious reasons. But it appears to me, if, instead of a Chinese, an English officer from the Canton Foreign Inspectorate with Consular rank was appointed, the difficulty would be removed, and being an accredited officer of the Chinese Government, the Hong Kong one might discuss with him cases of seizure or injustice, and thus obviate the reference of such matters to a Mixed Court, whether such be held in Chinese Kowloong or Hong Kong, and to which I see almost insuperable difficulties. If to this was added the issue to junks trading with Hong Kong of a licence under the seals of the Colony and the Hoppo, by which their bond fides might be recognized, much good might result, and it would make the cruizers more careful in
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their proceedings. It should by no means follow that, because a native junk or vessel has not such a licence, she will not be allowed to resort to Hong Kong, the licence is intended to be no more than an "identification," and may be taken out or not, only if a junk or vessel is captured, it should be discretionary with the Colonial Government and the Chinese Consular Agent to take up the case, for false claims are by no means rare.
These two latter plans may be far from meeting the expectations of the Colonists, but they are, as far as I can see, worth a trial, and may prove beneficial.
I had intended having an interview with the Viceroy on the subject of the Hong Kong complaints previous to receiving Lord Derby's despatch, but a rather sudden change in the Viceroyalty prevented this. I will, however, take an early opportunity of seeing the Acting Viceroy, and I shall press on him the imperative necessity of reform as regards the Hoppo's cruisers, and tell him that I have so often addressed that officer on the subject without much apparent success, that I must place the matter in his hands. I confess, however, having more faith in a remedial plan for relief, such as one of those above stated, than in any exertions on the part of the Canton Government.
Finally, I have the honour to inclose replies 1 have made to certain notes of Mr. Cecil
C. Smith, Acting Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong, annexed to the Administrator's despatch to Lord Carnarvon.
No comment upon them is necessary.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
B. ROBERTSON, Consul.
The Right Hon. Lord Tenterden, C.B.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
Inclosure 2 in No. 9.
Memorandum.
THE following returns will show the foreign or rather the Manchester trade with Hong Kong for the last six years:—
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
Cotton Yarn, per Month.
Cottons, per Month.
Bales.
Yards.
860
8,409,500
2,218
6,306,100
2,085
9,303,600
1,429
6,759,400
2,032
8,319,000
3,201
9,810,938
and for the four months of 1875 with unfavourable prices; yarns, 2,575 bales; cottons, 9,453,000 yards; and I have no doubt in my own mind we shall close the year with an increase upon 1874.
As regards other imports and China trade, I am also assured the business is steadily increasing notwithstanding Captain Thomsett's unfavourable returns about the junks, which is explained by the increased number of steamers trading on the coast. For example, junks from Swatow, Amoy, Foochow and Formosa which used to come regularly to Hong Kong, are hardly known now, and it will be more marked year by year and more so perhaps in 1875 than before; the typhoon in September last year having cleared out very many of them not to be replaced, and which otherwise would no doubt have continued to struggle on longer; this falling off in the junk carrying trade is even more marked at Shanghae and other northern ports for the reason above stated.
I
Another drawback to the junk trade is the more regular communication with Formosa, for whereas previously junks used to come to Hong Kong to transship their cargoes to ships and steamers for the far north and Japan, a great deal of the carrying trade with these ports is now done direct in foreign-built craft, and that likewise applies to sugar from Swatow to Japan, which is a considerable trade, and which now goes direct instead of vid Hong Kong, of course to the extent of indirect trade which used to pass through the Colony, some people may argue we are sufferers, but that is the inevitable consequence of a more rapid and regular communication-blockade or no blockade.
(Signed) B. ROBERTSON.