CO882-(4-5) — Page 512

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 882

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- | COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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confines its operations to export trade with California and the Australian Colonies, it is evident that the existence of Chinese Customs, wherever situated, does not affect its interests. This explains the neutral tenour of the reply from this body of traders.

3. The remaining replies from other classes of merchants are emphatic, both as regards the injury to trade resulting from the presence of the Chinese Customs on British territory, and as regards the power of this Government to protect the commercial interests of the Colony.

4. The failure of Dr. Ho Kai and Mr. Wei Yuk (also, known as Wei-Po-Shan) to induce the leading Chinese merchants in Hong Kong to sign a memorial praying for the exclusion from British territory of all offices, stations, agencies and craft of the Chinese Customs Service, is due to the fear of offending the officials of China.

The timorous attitude now displayed is an example of the terrorism still exercised by Chinese officialdom over Hong Kong Chinese, whose trade and property and families or relatives on the mainland are subject to the interference and threats of Chinese officials.

This same timidity would close their mouths against complaining about any unwarrantable action on the part of any officer of the Chinese Customs Service exercising his functions within British jurisdiction.

5. The letter of the two members of the Legislative Council and its enclosures furnish, in any opinion, an additional reason for confining the exercise of the functions of the Chinese Customs Service to the land and waters of China.

SIR,

I have, &c.,

W. BLACK,

Major-General, Administering the Government.

Enclosure in No. 40.

We have the honour to enclose, for the information of His Excellency the Officer

Hong Kong, September 11, 1898. Administering the Government, various communications (six in all) received by us from the leading Chinese firms and trading guilds carrying on business in this Colony, in reply to a letter of enquiry, addressed by one of us to them requesting their opinion as to the desirability of our Government further permitting the establishment of a branch of the Chinese Foreign Customs in this British Colony of Hong Kong, and the maintenance of quite a fleet of Chinese revenue cruisers in British waters.

Recently the mind of the general public in this Colony has been much exercised over the continued existence of the Chinese Customs and cruisers in British territory and waters; the European section of the community made their voice heard through the public press and their Chamber of Commerce; the Chinese section, however, though apparently entertaining an equally strong opinion, durst not utter one syllable, on account, doubtless, of their habitual dread of the mandarins on the mainland. For this reason we have deemed it to be our duty, as their representatives, to address a private letter to them to ascertain their true views, and to communicate the same Administrator.

to His Excellency the Before taking this step, however, we have waited for some days in the hope that the leading Chinese merchants themselves would address His Excellency either by deputation or by petition, but they would not, and evidently never will, venture on such an open course.

Their reason is quite plain to us, though it may not be so readily understood by those who have not an intimate acquaintance with the Chinese and the system of government under which they are placed in their native land. The Chinese officials have far too great an arbitrary power over the persons and properties of their subjects, and they can make their power felt by those of their subjects residing even under the British flag, either directly or indirectly through their friends and relations living in the interior of China. The British Government do not afford ́any protection to the Chinese merchants, even though they be naturalized British subjects, when they happen to be on a temporary visit to their country of origin, and this fact contributes largely to increase their fear of the mandarins, and to close effectually their mouths on any subject which has any inter- national bearing between the Governments of Great Britain and China.

We have, &c.,

The Honourable T. Sercombe Smith,

Acting Colonial Secretary,

&c.,

&c.

HO KAI. WEI AYUK.

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I beg to inform you that the Chamber of Commerce have held a meeting. They say Hong Kong is a British possession. Now we hear that the Kowloon Commissioner of Customs wishes to have the Custom House established in this Colony instead for the

of purpose levying duties on export and import goods, also to send out steamers to search We know not if this will be detrimental to the different branches for smuggled articles. of trade. I have been asked to notify the members of the different branches of trade If there be no that they may assemble and consider if this can be done, before it is done. detrimental effects, please write the word "consented" and put an impression of your chop at the ends. If this be not the case, there will be no need to sign or write anything. I respectfully ask that the Committee of your Guild will consider the matter and come to a decision, that I may inform His Excellency.

To the Committee of the Guild of California firms. Mo year, 6th moon, 19th day.

WEI PO SHAN.

This is in reply to your letter received the other day, which said that the Chamber of Commerce had, held a meeting at which it was mentioned that the Commissioner of Customs wished to have the Custom House established in Hong Kong instead for the purpose of levying duties. This Guild was asked if our trade would be interfered with. We at once called a meeting from the various shops to discuss the question. All the shops had no opinion to give, and we have nothing to record. Will you please inform the Chamber of Commerce. They may decide as they like.

THE WA ON KUNGSHI.

To Mr. Po Shan.

Mo

year,

6th moon,

27th day.

Answered from the Nam Pak Hong, handed to me by Mr. Yip Oi Shan on the 7th August, 1898 (Sunday).

To establish a Customs station and levy duties is really not beneficial to merchants. Hong Kong is a British possession, and it is presumed the Government will have means of protecting trade.

Mr. Po SHAN (Hon. WEI YUK).

In reply to your letter received the other day, asking if the trade will be interfered with if the Government removes the Kowloon Custom House into this Colony, I beg to inform you that a meeting was at once held in this Guild and the question was discussed. To have the Custom House removed into and established in this Colony is not beneficial to trade. Hong Kong is British territory, and the Government has its powers. inform His Excellency.

Mo year, 6th moon, 28th day.

Please

RICE MERCHAnts' Guild, Hong Kong.

Letter addressed to the NAM PAK HONG and COMMISSION AGENTS' FIRMS.

Reply to Mr. Po SHAN.

In reply to your letter received on the 9th instant, which said that the Kowloon Commissioner of Customs wished to have the Custom House established in Hong Kong instead, for the purpose of levying duties on goods, we beg to inform you that we at once called a meeting, and everyone said that to establish a Custom House to levy duties is really an inconvenience to merchants staying in Hong Kong. But Hong Kong is British territory, and we presume the Government will see its way to protect trade.

Mo year,

6th moon, 22nd day.

THE HONG KONG NAM PAK HONG,

THE COMMISSION AGENTS' FIRMS.

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