CO129-531-15 Chinese customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 9-7-1931 - 17-1-1932 — Page 127

COPY:

No.21.

SECRET:

Sir,

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONG KONG.

13th August, 1931.

127

I have the honour to inform you that it has been

informally suggested to me by the Inspector General of

Customs that the following alterations to the Draft Customs

Agreement, dated the 6th of November, 1930, should be

considered.

2.

He suggests that the words in Article XVI (c)

"Such goods shall also be re-admitted into China free of

coast trade duty if coast trade duty is hereafter abolished"

should be omitted as being unnecessary, coast trade duty

having now actually been abolished.

I shall be glad if

you will inform me if such abolition has actually taken

place.

3.

He further suggests that the last sentence in

Article XVI (d) be omitted, as it is not desired to provide

for any such drawback.

4.

I am a dvised that the elimination of the

provision for such drawback is not likely seriously to

affect this Colony, as very few foreign goods are likely to

be -exported to Hong Kong and sent thence to foreign

countries. I am informed that some alterations have been

made in the "drawback" regulations in Shanghai, which may

possibly involve the cancellation of drawback. I shall be glad if you will let me have any information that is available on this point, and also your views generally on

the proposed amendments.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(Sd). W. Peel.

His Britannic Majesty's Minister,

PEKING.

Governor, &c.