CO129-513-5 Coastal and river trade- prevention of smuggling and illicit trading 15-10-1928 - 14-12-1929 — Page 96

Enclosure No. 3 in Shanghai Despatch No. 111 to H.B.M.Minister, Peking,

16/4/29.

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Copy of Letter from Acting Consul-General,

Shanghai, to The Yangtsze Preventive Officers,

Chinese Government Salt Revenue Department,

H.B.M.Consulate-General,

SHANGHAI,

P. 0. Box 259.

12th April 1929.

Gentlemen,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of

your letter Number 1871/29 of the 21st ultimo in

connection with the increasing illicit trade in salt

carried on by members of the crews of British ships.

I desire to inform you that the whole questio

of the carrying of contraband cargo on British ships is

at present engaging the serious attention of His Majesty's Minister and I would emphasize the fact that

not only the British officials in China but the Shippin

Companies themselves in their own interests are anxious

to do all they can to put a stop to this pernicious

state of affairs.

I must however, remind you that the principle

that the only persons who have the right to search

British ships are the officials of the Chinese Mari time

The Yangtsze Preventive Officers,

Chinese Government Salt Revenue Department,

SHANGHAI.

Customs/