PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
Reference -
C.O. 882
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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3. The Tariff duty payable on cotton is 3 m. 5 c. per pioul, and it will be sufficient for the purpose of showing the working of the new regulations promulgated by the Viceroy and the Hoppo to consider a case that has arisen with respect to this particulat commodity. 4. On the 7th October Ho Un Ki and others, owners of the west coast trading junks "«San Sui Li," despatched from Hong Kong, the "Kum Mi Cheung," "San Tak Hing," and "Cheung Sui Tai," junks, laden with Soochow and foreign cotton. Before their despatch the owners had duly reported at the Cheung Chan Station, and paid the full and half duty, viz., 3 m. 5 c., plus 1 m. 7 c. 5 li per picul; or, in all, 5 m. 2 c. 5 li per picul. The duty on the first junk's cargo was paid on the 6th October, and on the other three on the 7th October. Those vessels arrived at Shui Tung, which is in the Prefecture of Ko Chan, on the 9th and 10th of October.
5. On the 17th of October the same owners reported at the Cheung Chan Station, and paid full and half duty on a cargo of cotton which they sent from here to the same place by another of their vessels named the "Ng Tsun Shun." She arrived on the 19th of October.
6. On the arrival of all these vessels at Shin Tung, the general permits, or grand chops," were submitted to the recognized Customs authorities there for examination, and, for some reason unexplained, the junks and cargo are detained under the pretext that it is necessary to pay an extra duty equivalent to 25 per cent. on the total previously paid at Cheung Chan.
7. About three years ago there were established in Ko-chan what are known as the "New Customs Stations." The Old Customs Stations" only collected a duty of 4 candareens 3 li per picul on cotton, but it was necessary, before the "New Stations" were established, that shippers to the west coast should pay the Tariff duty of 3 m. 5 c. at Canton, and obtain the "grand chop." Since the establishment of the "New Stations," and until the promulgation of the late Edict, vessels went direct to the west coast, and only paid 2 m. 5 c. 3 li per picul on cotton, 2m 1 c. of which was paid at the "New Station," and the other 4 c. 3 li at the "Old Station" as as a sort of solatium.
8. Besides the 4 candareens and 3 mace payable at the "Old Stations," there is, however, an exaction of 1 m. 2 c. per picul by the Prefect.
That "custom" commenced on the 6th year of Tung Chi, and had its origin in defalcations that occurred in the province during the Taiping rebellion. The Prefect was allowed to indemnify the Treasury by levying this tax; and although the sum is liquidated long since, yet the tax is continued, and is a grievance to the trade.
9. It thus appears that, of duty and exactions, the amount total payable on each picul of cotton sent from Hong Kong to the west coast during the past three years is 3 m. 7c. 3 li per picul; that before the establishment of the New Stations it was 5m. 1c. SH per picul; and that if the present demands were acquiesced in the total would be 8 m. 1 c. 9 li per pioul.
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10. The Edict of the High Officers at Canton is particularly exact in stating that the 'grand chop" frees from all further imposts; and it may only be necessary to bring to the knowledge of those officials the existence of such extortionate demands and illegal deten- tion, to procure redress for the past, and a prohibition against the repetition of such acts in the future-acts which not only render nugatory their recent regulations, but which, when committed by subordinates, are in great contempt of the solemn undertakings and promises of the highest officials in the Province.
11. The taxes levied on goods shipped to the West Coast from Macao, in native crafts, are less uppressive than those goods similarly sent from Hong Kong. There is a depôt at Macao called the Lang Tsai Tong. Shipments from the West Coast are reported at that office; and the consignors are required to give security against smuggling; but no regular duty, except on opium, is collected at Macao.
12. A manifest, in English and Chinese a duplicate of which is retained in the office-is issued for a fee of 4 dollars; and I candareen per picul is levied on all exposts except opium. On arrival at Shui Tung, in Ko Chan, for example, a duty of 2 m. 1 o payable at the New Customs' Station; Im. 2c. payable to the Ko Chan Fu; and the 4 candareens, and 8 li at the Old Stations.
13. It therefore appears, that the amount total of charges on cotton shipped from Macna to the West Coast, is 3 m. 8 c. 3 li. per picul, and the proportionate part of 4 dollars, which is a charge on the whole ship. This total contrasts favourably even with the commuted sum of 5 m. 2 c. 5 li, which the Viceroy and Hoppo guarantee to cover all possible exactions on the same commodity shipped from Hong Kong for the East or West Coast; and of couȚIE still more favourably with the 8 m. 1 o. 9 li, amount payable per picul, if the present demands of the Ko Chan Mandarins were to be tolerated.
14. The tax levied on opium taken from Macao to the West Coast, is just the saus
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as that on Hong Kong shipments (viz., 30 taels duty, and 15 taels lekim), and is collected at one of the lekim stations; but as previously pointed out, no tax on any other com- modity (except the 1 candareen tax on cotton), is collected there. The legal duty and exactions on piece goods sent from Macao to the West Coast, are much the same as those levied on Hong Kong shipped piece goods for the same ports.
15. The information contained in this Memorandum, has been obtained from the owners of the vessels which are at present detained at Shui Tung. One of them is a member of a Chinese firm in this Colony, whose annual trade, chiefly with the West Coast, turns over nearly 1,250,000 taels. The same firm does a large business at Macao; and as recently as the 24th and 25th instant, they dispatched from that place the San Shun Fat," and the "Hop Tae Li" junks for the West Coast, laden with opium, piece goods, cotton, &c.
16. The duty-commutation scheme of the Hoppo evidently gives offence to the West Coast officials, because it certainly tends to deprive them of the chance of enriching themselves; and it remains to be seen whether the Superintendent of Native Customs at Canton has the wish, and possesses the power to compel the specific performance of his own publicly proclaimed promises.
17. It is difficult to see why the Hong Kong West Coast trader should be placed in a more disadvantageous position than his fellows at Macao; and it is certain that, carteris paribus, unless something is done speedily to remedy this uncertain taxation, and equalize its amount, the very important West Coast trade of this Colony will, before long, com- pletely migrate to Macao.
The Hon. Cecil C. Smith,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Sir,
(Signed)
J. RUSSELL, Acting Registrar-General.
Inclosure 4 in No. 24.
Registrar-General's Office, Victoria, Hong Kong, December 28, 1874.
WITH reference to letter No. 96 of the 31st October, from this Department, I beg to report, for the information of his Excellency the Governor, that the important direct native trade between this Colony and the West Coast has ceased, for the merchants naturally decline to pay the increased duties now levied by the Customs' Stations at the approaches to this harbour.
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, &c.
&c.
&C.
I have, &c. (Signed)
CECIL C. SMITH, Registrar-General.