142
No arrangement could be contemplated which would allow Chinese Officials any right to operate in British Territory—for this, by their extraordinary genius for intrigue, would speedily give rise to attempts at illegitimate influence and to serious political friction. The Colony would, I think, be well off if it succeeded in paying all working expenses and interest on capital (including rent on Crown land) and looked for the reward of its enterprise in the increased business of the Port which must follow the opening of the Railway.
5.
In order to realise this modest ambition it will be essential that the rates charged on through traffic over the very costly British Section shall be higher than those charged on the Chinese Section. It is probable, however, that the Chinese will impose the highest rates they can, and the total through rate must be very low as the Railway will be in competition with the Steamer transport from Canton, and with the junks which have monopolised the carrying trade from time immemorial. The rates charged for sea-borne traffic are as in Annexe 3.
6.
The general conditions on which a Joint Agreement can be concluded may, I believe, be divided into 4 classes:—
(a). To work the whole line as a single concern under a Joint Board,
(b). To place one Section under the Working Management of the other.
(c).
$
142
No arrangement could be contemplated which would allow
Chinese Officials any right to operate in British Territory-for
this, by their extraordinary genius for intrigue,would speedily
rive rise to attempts at illegitimate influence and to serious
political friction. Th. Colony would, I think, he well off if
it succended in paying all working expenses and interest on
capital (including rent on Crown rand) and looked for the
reward of its enterprise in the increased business of the Port
which must follow the opening of the Railway.
5.
In order to realise this modest ambition it will be
essential that the rates charged on through traffic over the
very costly British Section shall be higher than those charged
on the Chinese Section. It is probable, however, that the
Chinese will impose the highest rates they can, and the total
through rate must be very low as the Railway will be in com-
-petition with the Steamer transport from Canton, and with the
junks which have monopolised the carrying trade from tine im-
-memorial. The rates charged for sea-borne traffic are as in
Annexe 3.
6.
The general conditions on which a Joint Agreement can
be concluded may I believe be divided into 4 classes:-
(a). To work the whole line as a single concern under a
Joint Board,
(b). To place one Section under the Working Management of
the other.
(c).
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