signed by my hon friend on the right (Hon. P. Ryrie), Mr. Lowcock, and Mr. Keswick. It runs as follows:-"The seizures that are constantly made and the terror inspired by the lawless acts of various petty collectors of ill-defined and miscellaneous duties have on former occasions been loudly exclaimed against and condemned, but no change for the better has taken place. It has been frequently and abundantly proved that the blockade is a serious evil, a great hindrance to the trade of the colony, unjust, and in its effects demoralising; and the papers which have been submitted to us, addressed to His Excellency by the Chief Justice, the Acting Attorney-General, and the Junior Magistrate on the system adopted by the English officers of the Boppo of Canton, show that Chinese of the lowest class are employed as informers, received into the service, and educated to prey upon the people as false accusers and extortioners." The end of all these complaints was the passing of an article in the Chefoo Convention which runs as follows:- "The Government of Hongkong having long complained of the interference of the Canton Customs Revenue Cruisers with the junk trade of that Colony, the Chinese Government agrees to the appointment of a Commission to consist of British Consul, an officer of the Hongkong Government, and a Chinese official of equal rank, in order to the establishment of some system that shall enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests of the colony." It is not necessary now to inquire into the circumstances which prevented this clause being acted upon. In 1883, negotiations took place in London between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Marquis Tseng, which resulted in an additional article, dated July 18th, 1885, and one clause of it I will read: "In lieu of the arrangement respecting opium proposed in clause 3 of section III of the Chefoo Agreement, it is agreed that foreign opium, when imported into China, shall be taken cognisance of by the Imperial Maritime Customs, and shall be deposited in bond, either in warehouses or receiving bulks which have been approved of by the Customs, and that it shall not be removed thence until there shall have been paid to the Customs the tariff duty of thirty taels per chest of 100 catties, and also a sum not exceeding eighty taels per like chest as lekin." The ninth clause is as follows: "It is understood that the Commission provided for in clause 7 of section III of the Chefoo Agreement to inquire into the question of the prevention of smuggling into China from Hongkong shall be appointed as soon as possible." I would here beg to call attention to the difference in the two articles. In the first, Hongkong appears as the complainant, and the section provided for the appointment of a Commission to inquire into the interference of the Canton Customs revenue cruisers with the junk trade of the colony, and also for the establishment of some system which would enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue without prejudice to the interests of Hongkong; while in the other article, the complaint of Hongkong appears to have been totally forgotten, and the object of the Commission was to inquire into smuggling from Hongkong into China.
In 1883, a Commission was appointed, presided over by his Honour the Chief Justice, and composed of my hon. friend on the right (Hon. P. Ryrie), Mr. Justice Russell, and I believe Mr. Balkeley Johnson. It was undoubtedly a fact, as pointed out by that Commission, that smuggling to a great extent did take place from Hongkong, was carried on by the Chinese themselves, and that the European portion of the community were total strangers to it. The Commissioner, in his report, in speaking of the Commission, says as follows: "The island of Hongkong is separated from the mainland of China by a narrow strait, varying from half a mile to four miles in breadth, and situated along a shore line faced by a range of high mountains to be crossed only by three or four steep passes. This geographical position, so favourable for a preventive service, whilst affording the Chinese Government the ready means of protecting its revenue, which would be wanting if the colony were placed at a greater distance, and the cruisers had to guard an extended length of coast, is, nevertheless, from the numerous bays, creeks, and inlets along the Chinese coast, a constant source of annoyance to the Government of China, and induces the maintenance of an armed flotilla for miles up and down the coast opposite Hongkong. The Commissioners submit, with reference to the whole question of smuggling from this colony into China, and the so-called blockade, that according to international law, it is no part of the duty of the Hongkong Government to assist the Chinese Government in the collection of its revenue. Yet, considering the position of Hongkong in relation to the mainland of China, the Commissioners feel that the Colonial Government is called upon by considerations of policy to prevent in every reasonable way the freedom of this port from being abused by being made the means of defrauding the authorities of the neighbouring empire of their legitimate dues, provided that the Chinese Government, on its part, will conform to the provisions of the treaties in respect of tariff stipulations, and will, moreover, enter into effective guarantees that the trade of Hongkong shall not be subjected to irregular, indefinite, or exceptional taxation, and that vessels and goods shall not be forfeited or persons trading to or from Hongkong be punished for smuggling, unless by some competent and open tribunal, in which complete confidence may be reposed by the Hongkong Government."
Now it is quite clear that if China experienced a difficulty in repressing smuggling when the duty was only thirty taels, she will be likely to encounter very much greater difficulty, and a great impetus will be given to smuggling when the duty is increased from thirty to one hundred and ten taels, and when the article, once introduced into China, will be free from all dues and duties. The Chinese authorities represented, therefore, to the English Government that the additional article would be a failure unless certain facilities were granted by the Government of Hongkong for the collection of the opium duty and the lekin. These proposals were mentioned in His Excellency's minute, which was submitted to the Council at the last meeting. The first plan was that the revenue should be collected in India, the second that China should do her own work, and the third that there should be a sort of co-operation between England and China, called the hulk plan. The Indian plan was rejected at once by the home authorities, but the hulk plan was submitted for the consideration of the Commission. Under these circumstances, the Opium Commission assembled here last year, and Sir Robert Hart referred to these proposals and placed them before the Commissioners. They were all considered unacceptable, and yet something had to be done. And why? Because China was determined to do all in her power to protect her revenue, and if, in doing so, she put into full force all her rights, rights which have often been admitted, she would be able to place great impediments on the trade of this colony, and to harass it very much indeed. In fact, she might again have instituted another blockade, only stricter, because the object was still more important.
I think, looking at the geographical position of this island, and the facilities it offers for smuggling, if we can, while increasing our own revenue, assist China to protect hers, and while protecting her own revenue, not to injure us, we ought to meet her half-way, and do what we can. The Hongkong Commissioner, therefore, put forward his scheme, and he states what are his reasons for doing so. He says: "We had experience some years ago of this trouble and annoyance, and the interference with legitimate traders caused by the new system for collecting opium duty and lekin, and it, therefore, is a matter for consideration how far we could go in giving facilities to China to enable her to collect, with as little friction as possible, and as cheaply as possible, the considerably increased opium tax which is leviable under the Additional Article. China might do much, without transgressing any treaty obligation, to vex the trade of Hongkong, whether by junk or steamer, and some of the privileges of the coasting and river steamers, which are now enjoyed by them, would probably suffer curtailment. Whilst, therefore, not acquiescing in the bulk plan, I felt that something should be done, and I had prepared a scheme founded on legislation existing in Singapore for years - a scheme which I considered would be for the mutual advantage of Hongkong and China. Having objected to the bulk plan, and having learned that there was no alternative one to be put forward, I proceeded to unfold my scheme, subject to the following conditions:- 1. That China will arrange with Portugal that Macao adopts a similar or equivalent measure. 2. That if it is found to affect injuriously the legitimate trade...
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signed by my hon friend on the right (Hon. P.) Ryriel Mr. Lowcock, and Mr. Keswick. It Tuns as follows:-"The seizures that are constant-} ly made and the terror inspired by the lawless acts of awarius of patty collectors of ill defined and miscellaneous duties have on former occasions been loudly exclaimed against and condemned. but no change for the better has taken place. It has been frequently and abundantly proved that the blockade is a serious evil, a great hindrance to the trade of the colony, uojast, and in its effects demoralising; and the papers which have been submitted to us addressed t His Excellency by the Chief Justice, the Acting Attorney-General, and the Junior Magistrate on the system adopted by the English officers of he Boppo of Cantou, show that Chinese of the lowest class are employed as informers, received into the service, and educated to pray upon the people as false acousers and extortioners." The end of all these complaints was the passing of an article" in the Chefoo Convention which runs as follows:- "The Government of Hongkong having lone complained of the interferance of the Canton Customs Revenue Cruisers with the junk trade of that Colony, the Chinese Government „agress to the appointment of a Commission to consist of Betish Consul an officer of the Hongkong Go- vernment, and a Chinese official of equal rank. in order to the establishment of some system that shall enable the Chinese Government to proteof its revenus without prejudice to the interests of the solony." It is ot necessary now to inquire into the oircumstances which prevented "this olause being acted upon. In 1883 negotiation< took place in London between the Secretar of State for Foreign Affairs and the Ma quis Tseng which resulted in an additional article, dated July 18th, 1885, and one clause of it I will read "In lieu of the arrangement re- specting opium pr posed in clause 3 of seg. tion III of the Chefon Agreement it is agreed that foreiga opinm, when imported into China shall be taken coguisance of by the Im- perial Maritime Customs, and shall be deposited in bond, either in warehouses or receiving bulks which have been approved of by the Customs, and that it shall not be removed thence until there shall have been paid to the Customs the tariff duty of thirty taels per chest of 100 catties and also a sum not exceeding eighty taels per like cheat as lekin." The ninth clause is as follows: It is understood that the Commission provided for in clause 7 of section III. of the Chefoo Agreement to inquire into the question of the prevention of smuggling into China froid Hongkonprahall be appointed as soon as pos siblo." I would here beg to call attention to the difference in the two articles. In the first Hongkong appsara as the complainant, and the section provided for the appointment of a Com mission to inquire.into the interference of the Canton Customs.revenue cruisers with the junk trade of the colony, and also for the establishment of some system which would enable the Chinese Government to protect its revenue withoat pra- judice to the futerests of Hongkonr; while in the other article the complaint of Hong- kong appears to have been totally for gotten and the object of the Commission was to inquire into surgling from Hongkong Pinto China. In 1883 a Commission was appoint- Iød presided over by his Honour the Chief Justice and composed of my hon. friend on the right (Hon. P. Ryrie), Mr. Justics Russell, and I believe Mr. Balkeley Johnson. It was undoubtedly a fact. as pointed out by that Commission, that amng. gling to a great extent did take place from Hongkong, was carried on by the Chinese them- selves, and that the European portion of the community were total strangers to it. The Commissioner, in his report. in speaking of the Commission, says as follows: The island of Hongkong is separated from the maioland of China by a narrow strait, varying from half a mile to frar miles in breadth, and situated į along a shore line faced by a range of high mountains to be crossed only by three or four! steep passes. This geographical position, 80 favourable for a preventive service, whilst afford- ing the Chinese Government the realy means of protecting its revenue, which would be want- ing if the colony were placed at a greater dis- tance and the cruisers had to guard an extended length of coast, is, nevertheless, from the numer- cous bays, creeks, and inlets along the Chinese coast, a constant source of annoyance to the Go- vernment of China, and induces the maintenance of an armed flotilla for miles up and down the oogst opposite Hongkong. The Commissioners
submit-
submit, with reference to the whole question of smuggling from this colony into China and the so-called blockade, that according to international law it is no part of the duty Government of
of the Hongkong to assist Chinese Government in the collection of its the
revenue. Yet, considering the position of Hongkong in relation to the maiul ·nd of China, the Commissioners feel that the Colonial G - vernment is called upon by considerations of policy to prevent in every reasonable way the freedom of this port from being abused by be- ing made the means of defrauding the authori- ties of the neighbouring empire of, their legitį- mate dues, provided that the Chinese Govern- ment on its pa t will conform to the provisions of the treaties in respect of tariff stipulations. and will moreover enter into effectire guarantees that the trade of Hongkong shall not be sub- j-oted to irregular, ind-finite or exceptional taxation, and that vessels apd goods ball! not be forfeited är per ous trading to or! from Hongkong be punished for smuggling unless.by some' competent and open tribunal in which complete confidence may be reposed by the Hongkong Government.” Now it is quite clear that if China experienced a di Foulty in rep essing amaggling when the duty was only thirty taels she will be likely to encounter very much greater difficulty and a great impetus will be given to 'smuggling when the duty is in. oreased from thirty to one hundred and ten taals. and when the article once introduced into China will be free from all dues and duties. The Chinese authorities represented, therefore, to the English Government that the additional article would be a failure unless certain facilities were granted by the Government of Hongkong for the collec- tion of the opium duty and the lekin. These proposals were mentioned in His Excellency's minute which was submitted to the Council at the last meeting. The first plan was that the revenue should be collected in India, the second that China should de her own work, and the third that there should be a sort of co-operation between England and Chian called the hulk plan. The Indian plan was re- jected at once by the home authorities, but the hulk plan was submitted for the consideration of the Commission. Under these circumstances the Opium Commission assembled here last year, and Sir Robert Hart referved to these proposals and placed them before the Commissioner. They were all considered unacceptable, and yet something had to be done. And why? Be- cause China was determined to do all in her po- wer to protect her revenue, and if in doing so. she put into full force all her rights, rights which have often been admitted, she would be able to, place great impediments on the trade of this colony and to harass it very much indeed. In fact, she might again have instituted another blockade, only stricter, because the object was still more important. I think looking at the geographical position of this island and the faci-I lities it offers for smuggling, if we can, while increasing our own revenue, assist China to pro. tect hers, and while protecting her own revenue not to injure us. we ought to meet her half way and do what we can. The Hongkong Commis- sioner therefore put forward his scheme, and he states what are his reasons for doing so, He says -"We had experience some years ago of this trouble and annoyance and the interference with legitimate traders caused by the new system for collecting opium duty and lekiu, and it there. fore is a matter for consideration how far we could go in giving facilities to China to enable her to collect with as little friction as pos sible and as cheaply as possible the con- siderably increased opium tax which is leviable auder the Additional Article. China might do mach, without transgressing any treaty obli. gation, to vex the trade of Hongkong whether by junk or steamer, ands me of the privileges of the coasting and river steamers which are now enjoyed by them would probably suffer curtailment. Whilst therefore not acquiescing in the bulk plan I felt that something should be done, and I had prepared scheme founded on legislation existing in Singapore for years- scheme which I con. sidered would be for the mutual advantare of Hongkong and China. Having objected to the bulk plan, and having learned that there was no alternative one to be put forward. I proceeded to unfold my scheme, sub. jeet to the following conditions:-1-That China will arrange with Portugal that Macao adopts i a similar or equivalent messure. 2.-That if it is! found to affect injuriously the legitimate trade
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