CO129-521-13 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 27-8-1930 - 16-10-1930 — Page 381

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if we delayed, the snowball of opposition set rolling

by the Press would gradually grow and make the whole

thing more difficult. I was averse, however, from raising

the assessment rates, which would have resulted doubtless

in a raise of rents, so explored carefully other avenues

of taxation. Tobacco, petrol and stamps will be fruitful

sources, and the new taxation has caused little outcry.

In taking this line I felt that we should probably under-

cut a good deal of the opposition. In this I seem to

have been correct, for since the resolution was pass ed

in Council, we have heard very little about it. The

Chinese members on the whole were in favour of a revision,

but deprecated its being given effect to at present. I

am told that the European members have since the meeting

expressed a feeling of relief that the thing has been

settled.

Currency is, of course, a troublesome business,

though the dollar has steadied a bit the last week. I

am not a currency expert, nor do the people who express

views in the Press appear to be. They criticize Govern-

ment for not by a stroke of the pen settling the currency

by introducing a stabilized dollar at two shillings!