274
because thirty years ago publio opinion in the Colony opposed the idea of permitting a foreign Customs establishment exer-
oising authority and collecting Revenue in a British Colony,
contrary to International unago. The inspector General, how-
ever, informed the Governor that, in his opinion, it is only
fair for the Mongkong Government to agree now to Sir Robert
Hart's original proposals; that owing to the increased Tariff
#muggling from Hongkong bad greatly increased of late; and that Cina, there-fore, was at the present time losing hundreds
of thousands of tavle ammually, and would lose much more in
the future unless imediate measures ware adopted on the lines
outlined above etc., The Governor agreed to call a conferense
at Government House next day at which the Governor, the In-
spector General, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General
and the long eng Harbour mater, the howloon Commissioner and
Kr.3.7. right, the Iapester General's Secretary, were all Kr.3.F.right,
present. Beth
Beth the Sevarner and the Inspector General onoa
more discussed existing conditions and the latter requested
the suppert of the Governor. After a great deal of discussion
and further conferences, the scheme dasaribed in the enclosure
was finally draw up (draft Agrement), and the concessions
offered to Ching therein are acceptable to the Hongkong Govern-
ment - subject, of souras, to the approval of the British
Government. The Inspector General informed the GoverYED I
that, indaf«r,as China is concerned, the solaze is likewise
acceptable, aubject, of course, to the ultimate approval of
the Chinese overUSONI Í
The Ispector General is strongly of opinion that
the plan thus drawn up is very favourable to Chinese interestsi
It concedes to China the unusual privilege of permitting the
Chinese Customs to function in the island of Hongkong) to re-
open the ssa-Stations close to the leland of Henghengt and
Konghor
allows Customs' Revenue vessels to patrol British waters! In
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