24
Hongkong to London.
Hongkong, 8th August. Re your telegram of 29th July. Unless consolidated into one duty covering all likin and other internal charges, strongly object proposed increase duties; but have no objection increase duties provided goods travel free in the interior, and proper arrangements made for Provincial Authority receiving their share. Otherwise illegal exactions and evasions (of) treaty will continue as at present.
Shanghai to London.
Shanghai, 4th September.
Referring to previous telegrams, notify Foreign Office Chamber of Commerce entirely concurs (in the) views (of the) Shanghai (and) Hongkong Committees. Cotton Mills claim terms (of) Japanese Treaty provided raw cotton totally free (from) all exactions with native mills on same basis.
25
SIR,
Hongkong Committee to General Committee.
Hongkong, 30th July, 1896.
I beg to hand you herein copies of telegrams, exchanged since last having this pleasure on 17th instant, and also copy of Shanghai message to you, which that branch was good enough to wire here.
The Committee are well pleased to know that the opinions entertained in London, Shanghai, and Hongkong are so completely in accord as to what concessions might reasonably be claimed as a set-off against increased duties, should such an alteration in the tariff be put forward by the Chinese Government, and agreed to by the Treaty Powers,
My letter of 10th instant will have put you in possession of the views of the Committee as to the present aspect of affairs, to which it is not now necessary to further refer. The message sent you on 28th instant emphasizes claiming for Europeans the right of travel and residence throughout the Empire.
Shanghai to London.
Shanghai, 24th September.
Will you inform the Foreign Office it is reported (that) import duty will be much increased immediately. Keep in view forward contracts (for) goods sold but not delivered. The price is ex ship, duty paid. Chamber of Commerce (Shanghai) Representative has already gone to Peking, recommending joint Commission (of) Custom Authorities, Consul, Merchants, in Shanghai, (to) report upon revision of the tariff (and) taxation in general. We strongly recommend do not commit yourselves to anything else.
R. S. Gundry, Esq.,
SIR,
Hon. Sec. China Association.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
F. HENDERSON,
Hon. Secretary.
Shanghai Committee to General Committee.
Shanghai Branch, 31st July, 1896.
On the 22nd instant I received from Hongkong a copy of a telegram from you, dated London, 17th July, reading:
"With reference to my letter of 15th May (and) with reference to your letter of 20th May, suggest permit increased duties in exchange for extension inland intercourse and navigation exempt from illegal transit terminal taxation; transit duties to be paid to provincial treasurer. Wire your opinion."
With this message
the Hongkong Branch forwarded a copy of their letter to you of May 20th, referred to in your telegram.
The Shanghai Committee had, for some time previous to the receipt of this despatch, had under their individual consideration your private Memorandum on the Transit Duty question, dated London, 8th April; and a meeting for its collective consideration had been arranged for July 27th.
At this meeting, which was duly held, the Committee, having regard to the vast importance of the question raised, and to the fact that you were in consultation with the Foreign Office,
151
24
Hongkong to London.
Hongkong, 8th August. Re your telegram of 29th July. Unless consolidated into one duty covering all fekin and other internal charges, strongly object proposed increase duties; but have no objection increase duties provided goods travel free in the interior, and proper arrangements made for Provincial Authority receiving their share. Otherwise illegal exnotions and evasions (of) treaty will continue as at present.
Shanghai to London.
Shanghai, 4th September.
Referring to previous telegrams, notify Foreign Office Chamber of Commerce entirely concurs (in the) views (of the) Shanghai (and) Hougkong Committees. Cotton Mills claim terms (of) Japanese Treaty provided raw cotton totally free (from) all exactions with native mills on same basis.
"
SIR,
25
Hongkong Committee to General Committee.
Hongkong, 30th July, 1896.
I beg to hand you herein copies of telegrams, exchanged since last having this pleasure on 17th instant, and also copy of Shanghai message to you, which that branch was good enough to wire here.
The Committee are well pleased to know that the opinions entertained in London, Shanghai, und Hongkong are so completely in accord as to what concessions might reasonably be claimed as a set-off against increased duties, should such an alteration in the tarif be put forward by the Chinese Government, and agreed to by the Treaty Powers,
My letter of 10th instant will have put you in possession of the views of the Committee as to the present aspect of affairs, to which it is not now necessary to further refer. The message sent you on 28th instant erophasizes claining for Europeans the right of travel and residence throughout the Empire.
Shanghai to London.
Shanghai, 24th September.
Will you inform the Foreign Office it is reported (that) import duty will be much increased immediately. Keep in view forward contracts (for) goods sold but not delivered. The price is ez ship, duty paid. Chamber of Commerce (Shanghai) Representative has already gone to Peking, recommending joint Commission (of) Custom Authorities. Consul, Merchants, in Shanghai. (to) report upon revision of the tariff (and) taxation in general. We strongly recommend do not commit yourselves to anything else.
R. S. Gundry, Esq.,
SIR,
Hon. Sec. China Association.
I am, &c.,
(Signed)
F. HENDERSON,
Hon. Secretary.
Shanghai Committee to General Committee.
Shanghai Branch, 81st July, 1896.
On the 22nd instant I received from Hongkong a copy of a telegram from you, dated London, 17th July, reading:
"With reference to my letter of 15th May (and) with reference to your letter of 20th May, suggest permit increased duties in exchange for extension inland intercourse and navigation exempt from illegal transit terminal taxation; transit duties to be paid to provincial treasurer. Wire your opinion."
With this message
*
the Hongkong Branch forwarded a copy of their letter to you of May 20th, referred to in your telegram.
The Shanghai Committee had, for some time previous to the receipt of this despatch, had under their individual consideration your private Memorandum on the Transit Duty question, dated London, 8th April; and a meeting for its collective consideration had been arranged for July 27th.
W
*
At this meeting, which was duly held, the Committee, having regard to the vast importance of the question raised, and to the fact that you were in consultation with the Foreign Office,
151
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