CO129-141 - Public Offices - 1869 — Page 145

of the Colony & the aid

Revenue

Cruizers were discussed. Refixed comments of

are

of the Editors, not at all favourable to the Chamber's view that

they had real grounds of complaint. Confusion evident in the mind

of the speakers

The

of several

at the Meeting

as to the

true meaning of transit dues,

&

the

distinction between transit & import

dues, is

a

remarkable in

body of Merchants & practical

men.

Neither did

they seem to have realised

plain meaning of the Treaty stipulations concerning opium; that, as regards Selling

or any

other inland dues, the Chinese

takes it may see fit upon

It may

please

143

that article.

the members of the

Chamber to style such taxes extra queris, but that does not alter the facts of the case or make them less legitimate.

It will be observed from the whole

tone of the debate &

given

many of the opinions that they ought to contend for

—

"the freedom of the port" — that they ought not to allow Chinese Cruizers to annoy the trade or that they should tell the Chinese that if unjust dues were levied, "we would say fight."

I was not far wrong in my anticipation of their views. As

of expediency

taxes

Govt has full power to levy whatever

As regards any power

over

shipments in Chinese

Junks for Chinese Territories, it is

obvious