443
( 17 )
ton surtaxes at
China's first
Consequent
private residents and families. The second event was the levy at port after port, beginning with Levy of Washing- Canton in October 1926, of the so-called Washington surtaxes, a levy which prepared the way Chinese treaty and led directly to the promulgation by the Nanking Government, representing a united China, ports, 1926. of China's first National Import Tariff. This tariff came into force on 1st February 1929, and, as Introduction of had been foreseen, its enforcement proved a strong stimulus to widespread and well-organised National Import smuggling. Once again the Canton Delta became a hotbed of illicit trade, of which Hongkong Tariff, 1929. by its geographical position and political and commercial status automatically became the growth of centre. Large quantities of piece goods, kerosene oil, sundries of all sorts, and even motor-cars smuggling. were imported into Hongkong for the express purpose of being run clandestinely by junk or by steamer into China. To this state of affairs Mr. T. V. Soong, the Minister of Finance for China, drew the attention of Sir Cecil Clementi, the Governor of Hongkong, when the former was passing through the Colony in June 1929, and the latter declared that he was willing to do everything in his power to assist China in her measures for the protection of her revenue.
§ 16. On the suggestion of Mr. F. W. Maze, Inspector General of Customs, the Minister of Finance commissioned him to proceed to Hongkong to discuss with the Colonial authorities the question of a Customs agreement on lines indicated by the Inspector General. At his first conversation with the Governor on Wednesday, 17th July 1929, the Inspector General, after presenting his credentials, indicated that the general lines on which China wished to negotiate were those of the agreement of 1918, but that as she wished to shorten the lines necessary for her to protect she would also ask for the reopening of the stations which had originally been established by the Hoppo in 1868 and which Sir Robert Hart in 1898 had wished to retain. The Governor on his side declared that the Hongkong Government would insist on the extension of inland waters steam navigation privileges to Hongkong vessels, and on the continuance of the practice that the Commissioner of Chinese Customs for the Kowloon district be British and a person acceptable to the Hongkong Government. He also stated his desire to have a clause inserted safeguarding in all circumstances the coastwise trading privileges of Hongkong vessels. The Inspector General, however, pointed out that the insertion of such a clause would beyond doubt wreck all chances of the agreement being accepted by the Chinese Government. On Friday, 19th July, a conference was held at Government House, at which Hongkong was represented by Sir Cecil Clementi, Governor, Mr. W. T. Southorn, Colonial Secretary, Sir Joseph Kemp, Attorney-General, Commander G. F. Hole, Harbour Master, and Mr. J. D. Lloyd, Superintendent of Imports and Exports, and the Chinese Customs by Mr. F. W. Maze, Inspector General, Mr. C. F. Johnston, Commissioner of Customs of the Kowloon district, and Mr. Stanley F. Wright, Commissioner. At the request of the Governor, Mr. G. S. Moss, the British Consul General at Canton, was also present. After stating the purpose of the conference, the Governor read a memorandum, written by himself, describing the original development of the Customs. agreement. The text of the 1918 draft was discussed article by article and general agreement reached on what alterations, verbal and material, should be made. A small committee was then appointed to revise the text of the 1918 draft on the lines indicated by the conference. This committee met frequently during the following week and was able by Saturday, 27th July, to submit to the principals a completely revised draft, embodying not only the suggestions
2
Renewal of
July 1929 on negotiations in
proposed Customs Visit of Inspector
agreement.
General to
Hongkong.
"
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.