Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No. 550 of the 33rd April, 1903.
C. O.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
20382
Hongkong, 5th April, 1903.
(Filed 26 MAY 02)
A fact of considerable importance both to the Government of this Colony and to British trade has just been brought to the notice of the Committee of this Chamber.
It appears that in order to escape payment of a tax called Ching-fei, levied by the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs on certain articles of import carried in native bottoms, resort has been had to the protection of foreign flags. This tax is now collected by the Imperial Maritime Customs at the Taishan Customs Station, at the entrance to the Canton River, but some junks showing the German and American flags have produced documents stamped with the Consular seal authorising them to fly these flags, and in virtue thereof have refused to pay the tax.
Apart from the fact that British Merchants and Traders are precluded by the Shipping Regulations from attempting to make use of the British flag for the same purpose, it seems to the Committee that there should be some means of preventing this abuse of the port under shelter of foreign flags, and they trust that it will be within the power of the Government to put an effectual stop thereto. If necessary, they submit, special legislation should be resorted to or diplomatic intervention sought. In any case, it is something of a scandal that foreign Merchants enjoying the hospitality of the Colony should so abuse it as to use their flag as a means whereby to secure an unlawful advantage over other competitors in business.
I have etc.,
(Sd. R. Chatterton Wilcox,
Honourable Secretary.
pro tem.
The Colonial Secretary.
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552
Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No./5$o of the 33nd.; April, 1903.~
C. O.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
20382
Hongkong, 5th. Amfi1, 1903.
(Fad 26 MAY 02
1
A fact of considerable importance both to the Govern- ment of this Colony and to British trade has just been brought to the notice of the Committee of this Chamber.
It appears that in order to escape payment of a tax called Ching-fei, levied by the Viceroy of the Two Kwangs on certain articles of import; carried in native bottoms, resort has been had to the protection of foreign flags.; This tax is now collected by the Imperial Maritime Customs at the Taishan Customs Station, at, the entrance to the Canton River, but some junks showing the Jerman and American flags have produced documents stamped with the Consular seal authorising them to fly these flags, and in virtue thereof have refused to pay thə tax..
Apart from the fact that British Merchants and Traders are precluded by the Shipping Regulations from attempting to make use of the British flag for the same purpose, it seems to the Committee that there should be some means of preventing this abuse of the port: under shelter of foreign flags, and they trust that it will be within the power of the Government to put an effectual stop thereto. If necessary,' they submit, special legislation should be resorted to or diplomatic intervention squght. In any case it, is something of a scandal that foreign Merchants enjoying the hospitality of the Colony should so abuse it as to use their flag as a means whereby to secure an unlawful advantage over other competitors in business..
I have etc.,'
(Sd. R. Chatterton Wilcox,
Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
Secretary.
pro tem.:
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