This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[August 4.]
SECTION 2.
Mr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne. (Received August 4.)
(No. 230. Confidential.) My Lord,
Peking, June 18, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship a copy of a note from the Chinese Government in reply to my communication on the subject of the transfer of the Native Customs at Canton to the Maritime Customs, copy of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 208 to your Lordship of the 29th ultimo.
The Inspector-General of Customs tells me that he has repeatedly, in the course of the last eighteen months, called the attention of the Chinese Government to the fact that the Native Customs stations at Fatsham and Chêntsun have not yet been handed over to the Imperial Maritime Customs, and that his representations, when answered at all, have invariably been met by a reply similar to that now conveyed to me by the Foreign Board.
The stations in question may be said to be 60 li distant from Canton, if the tortuous course of the river be followed, but they are most certainly within the 50-li radius as understood by the agreement upon the subject.
Sir Robert Hart points out that the Hoppo has always been regarded as a fruitful source of revenue by the Court, which continues to expect the same liberal subsidies from him as in the past, in spite of the fact that he has been shorn of some of his richest perquisites by the altered conditions of things created since 1900.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
WALTER TOWNLEY.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Prince Ching to Mr. Townley.
June 13, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th ultimo, with reference to the transfer of the Native Customs at Canton to the Imperial Maritime Customs.
In reply to my telegram to him on the subject, the Hoppo makes the following explanation :----
The branch stations at Chêntsun and Fatshan, within the jurisdiction of the Canton (Native) Customs, are situated, according to the Customs Topographical Record, at a distance of 60 from the provincial capital, and should therefore remain under his control.
At Chêntsun a Customs boat is moored which examines and collects duties on goods carried past on people's backs and at which passes are cancelled. Occasionally "hung tan" (clearances) are granted for local produce destined for the Hong Kong or Macao market. Fatshan is also a station for the cancelling of passes, but no proper "hung tans" are issued here. The Regulations are complied with in every respect, and no reduced rates are granted at either place. In fact, the goods dealt with follow a different route from those which come under the cognizance of the Changkuan at Canton. As to the duties collected by the Changkuan since the Commissioner has had the joint management of it, they have increased as compared with other years. The contribution towards the indemnities payable out of the revenues of the Canton (Native) Customs have been forthcoming each month in full and without the least delay.
From the above it would appear that, as regards the Native Customs houses at Chêntsun and Fatshan, since they are not concerned with goods which have to pay duty at Canton, there can be no such thing as a reduction of rates to induce merchants to patronise them. As to Changkuan at Canton, under the Commissioner's management the receipts have not diminished, but increased, neither has there been any default or remissness in the payments assigned from its revenues to the indemnity. Under the circumstances there is no need to alter the present arrangements.
I avail, &c.
[2091 d-2]
296
Page 300
Page 301
This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
CHINA TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL.
No. 1.
[August 4.]
SECTION 2.
Mr. Townley to the Marquess of Lansdowne. (Received August 4.)
(No. 230. Confidential.) My Lord,
Peking, June 18, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith to your Lordship a copy of a note from the Chinese Government in reply to my communication on the subject of the transfer of the Native Customs at Canton to the Maritime Customs, copy of which was inclosed in my despatch No. 208 to your Lordship of the 29th ultimo.
The Inspector-General of Customs tells me that he has repeatedly, in the course of the last eighteen months, called the attention of the Chinese Government to the fact that the Native Customs stations at Fatsham and Chêntsun have not yet been handed over to the Imperial Maritime Customs, and that his representations, when answered at all, have invariably been met by a reply similar to that now conveyed to me by the Foreign Board.
The stations in question may be said to be 60 li distant from Canton, if the tortuous course of the river be followed, but they are most certainly within the 50-li radius as understood by the agreement upon the subject.
Sir Robert Hart points out that the Hoppo has always been regarded as a fruitful source of revenue by the Court, which continues to expect the same liberal subsidies from him as in the past, in spite of the fact that he has been shorn of some of his richest perquisites by the altered conditions of things created since 1900.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
WALTER TOWNLEY.
Sir,
Inclosure in No. 1.
Prince Ching to Mr. Townley.
June 13, 1903.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 29th ultimo, with reference to the transfer of the Native Customs at Canton to the Imperial Maritime Customs.
In reply to my telegram to him on the subject, the Hoppo makes the following explanation :----
The branch stations at Chêntsun and Fatshan, within the jurisdiction of the Canton (Native) Customs, are situated, according to the Customs Topographical Record, at a distance of 60 from the provincial capital, and should therefore remain under his control.
At Chêntsun a Customs boat is moored which examines and collects duties on goods carried past on people's backs and at which passes are cancelled. Occasionally "hung tan" (clearances) are granted for local produce destined for the Hong Kong or Macao market. Fatshan is also a station for the cancelling of passes, but no proper bung tans are issued here. The Regulations are cou plied with in every respect, and no reduced rates are granted at either place. In fact, the goods dealt with follow a different route from those which come under the cognizance of the Changkuan at Canton. As to the duties collected by the Changkuan since the Commissioner has had the joint management of it, they have increased as compared with other years. The contribution towards the indemnities payable out of the revenues of the Canton (Native) Customs have been forthcoming each month in full and without the least delay.
From the above it would appear that, as regards the Native Customs houses at Chêntsun and Fatshan, since they are not concerned with goods which have to pay duty at Canton, there can be no such thing as a reduction of rates to induce merchants to patronise them. As to Changkuan at Canton, under the Commissioner's management the receipts have not diminished, but increased, neither has there been any default or remissness in the payments assigned from its revenues to the indemnity. Under the circumstances there is no need to alter the present arrangements.
I avail, &c.
[2091 d-2]
296
}
Page 300Page 301
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.