CO129-517-1 Administration and function of Chinese Maritime customs- prevention of smuggling across Chinese frontiers 7-2-1929 - 15-11-1929 — Page 143

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APPENDIX No. 1.

150

The Inspector General has already invited the

attention of the Kuan-wu Shu to the cuestion of the Customs'

Preventive Service, in view of the fact that smuggling will be

almost certain to increase, and thus seriously affect Revenue

interests, owing to the introduction of the new Tariff: it

being obvious, of course, that the higher the Tariff the

greater the inducement to evade payment of Duty by smuggling.

To meet the changed conditions and to endeavour to protect the

Revenue, the Inspector General is of opinion that the question

of devising means to stop, or at least check, smugling should

now be contrived, and if approved, certain preventive measures

should be inaugurated. The principal places which have to

be specially guarded are:

(a) the Tonking Frontier.

(b)

Kuangchia-wan

(c)

the Kowloon and Lappa Districts

(a) the Korean Frontier, and

(e) the Russian Frontier.

the Chier Ports of Entry must also be protected by stronger

preventive measures especially Shenghai. The land Fron-

Ja

tiers (including the Kowloon and Lappa Frontiers) mentioned

above will require armed guards to patrol them, and a system

should be considered and plans should be drawn on the lines

of the former Kowloon frontier guard under Customs control.

But in the case of Kowloon and Lappa it is also essential

to develop and improve the existing Customs Launch Service

in order to stop or check the incressed activities of the sea-

Junks. It has long been the practice for the Customs Launches

which are engaged in preventive work to stop cargo junks,

especially those whose action is suspicious, and, if

necessary,