CO129-314 - Public Offices - 1902 — Page 155

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ports direct trading with China where they shall load

and discharge under the supervision of the Imperial

Maritime Customs, the offices of the latter to be on

board a hulk, moored within the harbour."

With the detailed proposals for revising the duties we are hardly concerned. But the latter of the two suggestions quoted above is of considerable impor- tance to the Colony. In view of the antecedents of

the question, it is hardly surprising to find that the Chamber of Commerce and the Governor are raising

strenuous objections, on the ground that the measures proposed would be fatal to the freedom of the Port.

Sir Henry Blake has made a further suggestion, viz., that Customs officers should be carried on board

the steamers to examine the cargo en route. But he

appears to favour the idea of making Kongmoon a Treaty port; and this course is being recommended by the Canton Commissioner of Customs, who wishes to have

several ports of call opened.

(After an exhaustive search, I have quite

failed to discover Kongmoon unless it is "Kum Sing Han Harbour - 22922' N., 113°37' E.; see Admiralty chart of the Canton River, herewith).

We shall no doubt hear a good deal more about these proposals later on. In the meantime, I think

there is no need to take action.

A.P.

6.2.