CO129-501-8 General policy in China 30-11-1926 - 30-11-1926 — Page 71

76A

(2.)

met first and last, and where, that tells against confidence in trade. Probably the Chinese

Government is not far wrong in its belief that trade can bear a lot of taxing. But it is in the inefficiency of their exactions and in the want of any consideration for the original wholesale dealer, that it destroys the goose that should be

laying the golden eggs.

If Likin is really about to be

abolished there is no doubt but that trade in

China, both Import and Export, can stand considerably higher taxation in other forms as compensation for

its loss. Can this abolition be looked for?

On the whole there is better prospect

of Likin being done away with in Kwangtung than in any other of the provinces. It should in fairness be granted to the credit of the Southern Administration that not a few changes and improvements have been successfully effected in those centres where the Government has full power. The system of Likin-paid Receipts for instance has given evidence of some real control in Kwangtung over the

Likin Administration that would be hard to find in

There is, indeed, some parts of China. comparatively not much complaint against the likin collector in Kwangtung. The amount of the annua 1 collection is given as only 4 million dollars out of the 63 million dollars estimated for all China;

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speaking

which