18
more immediately interested in and familiar with the trade full opportunity of expressing their views.
19
steps are taken in that direction, an opportunity will be afforded to all the Chambers of Commerce interested to consider and express their views on any changes that may be contemplated.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
R. S. GUNDRY,
Hon. Sec. China Association.
The Rt. Hon. the Marquis of Salisbury, K.C.,
H.M.'s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
To His Excellency
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
[ENCLOSURE.] Hongkong Chamber of Commerce to H.M.'s Minister, Peking,
SIR,
Hongkong, 16th May, 1896.
An announcement made by Reuter's Agency on the 4th instant, to the effect that His Excellency T-Hung-chang intends visiting the Courts of the various Treaty Powers, partly with a view to obtaining an increase from five to eight per cent. ad valorem of the import duties levied on foreign goods in China, has aroused the attention of this Chamber; the question being one that seriously concerns all those engaged in commerce in this Colony and the Chinese Treaty Ports.
Whilst recognising the fact that, under certain conditions and guarantees, the duties might not unreasonably be subjected to some increase, the Committee are most anxious that the principle even should not be conceded unless it is first laid down that the increased duty is to free the goods absolutely from all further charge throughout the Chinese Empire. That is to say, an increased import duty, levied at the port of arrival, shall render such goods free of Lekin and all other taxes whatsoever.
Supposing the Chinese Government concede this point, the question then remains what guarantees can be obtained that the various local imposts, which are at present the mainstay of the officials in South China, will not still remain a burden on the back of trade, rendered the more intolerable to the extent of the additional duty? The guarantees would need to be ample and reliable, similar to those afforded in certain matters by the collection being placed in the hands of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.
The unfortunate failure of the Imperial Government, when negotiating the provisions of the New Treaty with Japan, to consult with, or refer the matter to, the Hongkong Government, was the means of placing the leading industry in this Colony at a most serious disadvantage, whereby a disastrous, if not fatal, blow will be given to its Sugar-refining trade when the Treaty comes into force.
It is, therefore, not without much anxiety that my Committee regard the proposed alteration of the tariff under the Treaties with China, and they earnestly hope that before any definite
Sir Claude MacDonald, K.C.M.G.,
Her Britannic Majesty's Minister in China.
General Committee to Hongkong Committee.
31, Lombard Street, 16th July, 1896.
In pursuance of my letter of the 27th June, I beg to enclose copy of a reply from the Foreign Office, saying that the wish of the Association and of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce to be consulted in respect to any possible change of taxation shall be borne in mind.
(Signed)
R. S. GUNDRY,
Hon. Sec. China Association, Hongkong.
F. Henderson, Esq.,
SIR,
Hon. Sec. China Association.
Foreign Office to China Association.
Foreign Office, July 2, 1896.
I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, respecting the increase of import duties in China.
His Lordship will bear in mind the wishes expressed by your Association and by the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce, that no change shall be made in existing Treaties without previous reference to those who are specially interested in the importation of British goods into China.
The Secretary
To the China Association,
31, Lombard Street, E.C.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
FRANCIS BERTIE.
148
ر مجھ
18
more immediately interested in and familiar with the trade full opportunity of expressing their views.
19
steps are taken in that direction, an opportunity will be afforded to all the Chambers of Commerce interested to consider and express their views on any changes that may be contemplated.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
R. S. GUNDRY,
Hon. Soc. China Association.
The Rt. Hon, the Marquis of Salisbury, K.C.,
H.M.'s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
To His Excellency
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX,
Secretary.
[ENCLOSURE.} Hongkong Chamber of Commerce to .M.'s Minister, Peking,
SIR,
Hongkong, 16th May, 1896.
An announcement made by Reuter's Agency on the 4th instant, to the effect that His Excellency T-Hung-chang intends visiting the Courts of the various Treaty Powers, partly with a view to obtaining an increase from five to eight per cent. ad valorem of the import duties levied on foreign goods in China, has aroused the attention of this Chamber; the question being one that seriously concerns all those engaged in commerce in this Colony and the Chinese Treaty Ports.
Whilst recognising the fact that, under certain conditions and guarantees, the duties might not unreasonably be subjected to some increase, the Committee are most anxious that the principle even should not be conceded unless it is first laid down that the increased duty is to free the goods absolutely from all further charge throughout the Chinese Empire. That is to say, an increased import duty, levied at the port of arrival, shall render such goods free of Lekin and all other taxes whatsoever.
Supposing the Chinese Government concede this point, the question then remains what guarantees can be obtained that the various local imposts, which are at present the mainstay of the officials in South China, will not still remain a burden on the back of trade, rendered the inore intolerable to the extent of the additional duty? The guarantees would need to be ample and reliable, similar to those afforded in certain matters by the collection being placed in the hands of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.
The unfortunate failure of the Imperial Government, when negotiating the provisions of the New Treaty with Japan, to consult with, or refer the matter to, the Hongkong Govern- ment, was the means of placing the leading industry in this Colony at a most serious disadvantage, whereby a disastrous, if not fatal, blow will be given to its Sugar-refining trade when the Treaty comes into force.
It is, therefore, not without inuch anxiety that my Committee regard the proposed alteration of the tariff under the Treaties with China, and they earnestly hope that before any definite
SI,
Sir Claude MacDonald, K.C.M.G.,
Her Britannic Majesty's Minister in China.
General Committee to Hongkong Committee.
31, Lombard Street, 16th July, 1896.
In pursuance of my letter of the 27th June, I beg to enclose copy of a reply from the Foreign Office, saying that the wish of the Association and of the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce to be consulted in respect to any possible change of taxation shall be borue in mind.
R. S. GUNDRY,
(Signed)
Hon. Sec. China Association, Hongkong.
F. Henderson, Esq..
SIR,
Hon. Sec. China Association.
Foreign Office to Chinn Association.
Foreign Office, July 2, 1896.
I am directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, respecting the increase of import duties in China.
His Lordship will bear in mind the wishes expressed by your Association and by the Hong- kong Chamber of Commerce, that no charge shall be made in existing Treaties without previous reference to those who are specially interested in the importation of British goods into China.
The Secretary
To the China Association,
31, Lombard Street, E.C.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
FRANCIS BERTIE.
148
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.