CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933 — Page 64

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Tientsin,

Amoy,

Shanghai,

BRITTSH LEGATION PEKING.

1st. November 1932.

64

Diplomatic Mission.

(4/53H/1932)

My dear Maze,

Two cases have recently occurred in which British

interests have come into conflict with the Customs and in

which we feel we have serious grounds for criticising the

action taken by the Customs. No doubt the facts are known

to you.

The first case is that of the s.s. "Ting Sang",

where a fine of Taels 1,000 was imposed by the Commissioner

of Customs at Tientsin on account of opium having been found

in the ship's bunkers. When the Company protested against

the imposition of this fine on the ground that they were not

a party to the attempted smuggling of the opium nor had com-

mitted any offence against the Customs Regulations, the Com-

missioner replied by calling their attention to their Annual

Guarantee which he said bound them to take steps to prevent

contraband from being taken aboard the vessels for which they

were agents.

Now this interpretation of the steamer companies'

annual guarantee is to say the least, open to question. The

relevant sections in the guarantee read:

"We also jointly and severally guarantee to remain

responsible to the Commissioner for and to pay him if

called upon to do so any fine to which the master of

any such steamer at any time may have become liable

here owing to the contravention of any treaty rule or

regulation in case we shall be unable within three months

from the time of the alleged contravention of the rule

Sir Frederick W. Maze, K.B.E..!

Inspector General,

Chinese Maritime Customs,

SHANGHA IM

For