CO129-542-12 Smuggling from Hong Kong into China 21-1-1933 - 21-8-1933 — Page 94

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Messrs. John Swire & Sons, Ltd.,

London.

Hong Kong,

94

February 3rd, 1933.

Dear Sirs,

Smuggling.

Our impression is that while the Governor himself is

sympathetic, the permanent officials are hidebound in this

matter. The Governor apparently appreciates the point that the Order in Council of 5th December being promulgated, the Government have some responsibility at any rate in regard to implementing it. In the three prosecutions initiated by us (the Imports & Exports Department prosecuted) the fines of $50 to $100 were paid on the nail, obviously by the smuggling principals concerned.

The present Order only applies to ships propelled by steam or any mechanical means, which obviously does not go far enough for the Customs, who have the smuggling by ordinary

junks to tackle also. There is a possibility that the Hong Kong Government are chary about rooting too deeply into the smuggling organizations here, in case they get up against the Canton officials, who are directly in the traffic themselves.

Yours faithfully,

(Sgd.) BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE.