CO129-274 - Public Offices & Others - 1896 — Page 54

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Copy

Separate.

Sir:-

51

C. J

0372

TREC

REG: 24 MAR 36,

ΣΑΝ ΤΟ Ν.

December 16th, 1895.

question of the enforcement of the Chinese Passen-

gers' Act at Chefoo he points out that it would

tend to hamper British shipping so long as the

vessels of other Treaty Powers are not subjected

Since that time, as Mr

Brenen observes, Japan has appeared as a possibly

dangerous competitor in the coasting trade.

to similar regulations.

I have &c.,

(Signed)

W. Beauclerk.

Under the impression that the disadvantages

under which British Shipping labours in China,

would claim a share of my attention in the course of

the enquiry into the condition of British trade

which I have been commissioned to make, Messrs But-

terfield and Swire, who do the largest coasting

trade in China, have requested me to call attention

to the injury their interests may suffer if effect

is given to an ordinance which, they have reason

to believe, is about to be enacted for the super-

vision of British passenger ships at Chinese ports

Messrs Butterfield and Swire represent that

whereas the lot of the Chinese passenger will not

.be improved by the projected legislation, British

Shipping will be handicapped vis-à-vis shipping

under any other flag.

N. Beauclerk Esq.,

&c.,

&0.2

In