1923-09-20 — Page 5

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IMPERIAL PREFERENCE.

HONGKONG'S TITLE.

Correspondence of considerable interest to merchants has passed between the Hongkong. Clovernment and the Hong kong General Charuber of Commerce: on 'the subject of the recommenulations of |

the Imperial. Customs Conference, 1981,

The Report of the Imperial Custolus:

Conference explains that the Conference was suggested by the Union of South Aftien to reach a common basis in interpreting particulars required from exporters in respect of the value of goods for the purpose of al calorem duties and the" conditions under which Preference tariff rates are levied."

J

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1923.

hall not be deemed to have been manu- factured in the British Empire unless 23 per cent, of their total vahe is the result of labour within the Empire. The L perial Customs Conference muute 2 general recommendation that where the whole process of manufacture of goods fram raw material of foreign origin hadst been carried out in the United Kingdom or other part of the 'Etapire entitled to

preferential rates of duty-preferential rates of city should he grouted even though the value of this process of mana-" facture amounted to less than the pre- scribed 25 per cerit.).

Exports from Hongkong to New Zon- land are also given preferential" treat;: mont, that Dominion having granted pre- ference to the exports of every part of the Empire, subject to certain require meats as to British manufacture, with which certain important exports from Honkgong comply. Other smaller areas of the Empire give a preference to British goods from any part of the Em- pire, but Canada, Australia and other important Dominions, etc.. limit their preference, it is understood, to goods of United Kingdom örigin.

The Heport remarks that maißeation of Customs Procedure would be of inestim. able value to the commercial community of the whole world. Severtheless the Conference realised that complete uni- formity, was impossible and incieed, per haps, inadvínalilo, in that the Customs Legislation of the various Dominions had bern framed in the light of the fact that they are members of a world-wide trail ing community as well as parts of the Empire. Geographical factors, such as in this connection, the Committee of the poutiguity of Canada and the United the Exporters' Association cordially en- States of America, involving estions dorses the suggestion of Mr. T."E" Bur- of rail transit and business connections rowes, Comptroller of Customs. Nigeria. unknown to other Dominions, raise pro-in Enclosure in Circular Despatch of blems which apply only to particular 20th July, 1921, in which he calls atten- Dominions and cannot be solved by peretion to "the need for regular issues, say uniformity of proccdbre.

every two or three years, of volumes of Customs and trade laws and regulations in operation in each Colony, containing explanatory notes of Customs practice and any information of interest to the commercial community." Through lack of information as to provisions of the Tariff Acts of certain Colonies and Dominions of the Empire, and the steps to be taken to comply with them. Hong kong may be losing the advantage of rebates which are

open to her at the present time.

As to conditions of Preference, the

·Conference made a general recommenda- tioir that all Dominions should only grant preferential rates of duty on goods on which the final process of manufacture took place in the United Kingdom or other Dominion or Colony which, under the laws of the various Dominions, is entitled to preference; further, that where the whole process of manufacture of goods from raw material of foreign origin had been carried out in the United Kingdom, preferential rates of duty should be granted by the Dcininions, even though the value of this process of manufacture in the United Kingdom arunts to less than the usually pre- scribed 25 per cent.

GRIMINAL SESSIONS.

[WIFORE - HIN, HONOUR THE PETANI JUNGE

(MR. JUSTICE GOMPERTZ)].

TRAFFIC IN AMMUNITION,

AN ATTMEPT TO BROACH'A CARGO

OF AMMUNITION.

Mr. A. Dyer Ball conducted the case for the Crown."

The following Jury was empanelled: lessrs. Win. Kailey (foreman), W. J. Howard, J. F. Oxborry, J. Ormiston, F. G. da Luz, P. X. das Remedios and A. Webster.

SPORT.

LAWN BOWLS.

SHANGHAT REGISTER A WIN,

A very enjoyable bowls match, wind wit- nessed at Craigengower yesterday after- noon when the Shanghai Interport Bowls team inet and defeated the Craigongowe: Cricket Clubs by the narrow margin of two joints. The match was interesting

Bradbury

Four Chinese, named Tang Mai. Chan Tim, Leung L and Hui. Kam, were indicted yesterday morning for stealing from start to finish because of its fuetua- 8,452 rounds of pistol ammunition from tions in favour of one side and then the the a. Yarra, a vessel belonging to the other and also hefaase the players gave Norwegian-Africa Australia line, on Aug a good exhibition of trundling. To clinch 1th In the alternative the prisoner the afternoon's enjoyment the last head were charged with conspiring to steal the ammunition

of the ninteḥ provided an exciting finish At the commencement of this head the score stood all square (twenty points cach) and then during the last head out of eight "woods" lying cound the jack Shanghai were lying three. (Craigengower No 3) got through a difficult port and rested close to the jack. Mr. Dyer Ball, said the facts of this His opponent, Shaw, came through, with case were slightly complicated. The as an equally brilliant shot, and cannosed Furra arrived in Hongkong an August into an even better position. The excite- 10th. She was a Norwegian vessel, the ment was intensified when he Craigen- sen and Co. The ship was bound for with his second shot. It was still may- agents in Hongkong being Messrs. Thore. gower No. 3 came in very lose in Shanghai and part of her cargo was 50 body's game and much depended on the rasca of Mauser pistol ammunition, con Skips Veitch rose to the occasion and signed to Shanghai on the manifest. The beat his opponent, Basa, with his two cases were all of the same type and shots, thus securing the victory for marked in the same way, and all 60 cases Shanghai. This is Shanghai's second. were stored on the first deck of the aft win since they arrived in the Colony a hoki. The police were informed on the week ago. 13th August that this ammunition was Taking the game as a whole there was on board. This information was given some very good bowling on both sides. to the police byen local watchman (the Green, the Craigengower No. 1, was per- consignment of ammunition and they steady and held his opponent, Poignard, first prisoner). The police inspected thehaps the best of the bunch. He was very were satisfied that it was through cargo comfortably. He could always be relied for Shanghai, and they were not pre upon to get one of his woods" near the On the next day, the 14th August, the Greener) at times found difficulties in pared to interfere with it in any way jack. The number twos (Cheetham and main events of the case happened. When getting the run of the green, whilst to the cargo was first examineil on the 13th wards the end of the game Bradbury and it was intact. On the 14th August Sergt. Shaw had some very keen tussles. Veitch Carey, of the Water Police, returning did some splendid work as Skip and for from duty in a sampan, was approach the greater part of the game had, the ing the Kowloon Wharf where the upper hand of his opponent, Basa, who, the vessel he w three men glimbing good game. Yarm was lying. On the main deck of on the whole, however, played quite n over the deck cargo. He watched them The match opened in favour of the and a two of them climbing over the home men and they scored in the first rail of the ship. Afterwards he saw then two heads. At the sixth head things had stand on the suppers outside the ship's levelled themselves out (5-5), and there rail He then saw the third man on the was also "level pegging. at the ninth The practicability of preferential rates

main deck hand something to these two head (8-8). Then Shanghai commenced of tariff as between all parts of the picions and he went on board the ss in the next four heads (15-8). After tea, men, These acting aroused his sus to run away. They scored seven points British Empire did not come within the Farm with two Chinese constables, On the invariable change caine, the game terms of reference of the Imperial the deck he found the three men squat veering round in favour of Craigengower, Customs Conference. Such

ting on the deck cargo. Two of them After scoring in all the next five beads policy were the second and fourth prisoners, they obtained a bad if adopted, would he of consider Unfortunately, the third man made his (18-15). At the eighteenth head Shang- of three points The use of the terniUnited King. able value to Hongkong. At Pre-escape and the police could not tence hai, with a very fine four," went ahead dom" is preferred to," British "and in sent, so far as is known universal to the place where he had seen the men gower at the nineteenth altered the posi him. Sergt. Carey went across the deck again (19-18). Two shots for Craigen- this connection it is noted that certain preference within the Empire is only go over the rail, and there he found rest-tion again (20-19). The scores were "Dominiona limit their preference to goods given by New Zealand and one or twe

ing in the seppers five bags of ammani-levelled at the twentieth and at the fast of United Kingdom origin, others to those small Colonies with each of which long-

tion. The bags were tied to a rope, head Shanghai got away with an exciting which was attached to the ship's rail and two, which gave then the victory (2-0). Dominions and Colonies which give re-kong's trade is small If the larger it war evident the lags were ready to ciprocal treatment, or to certain limited Dominions gave an Empire preference of be dropped over the side. The amount

The teams were ;- parts of the Empire, while New Zealand which Hongkong could take advantage. found to contain 8.452 rounds of ammuni- tireen

tion was counted and the wings were CRAIGENGOWEN (.C. grants preference to goods from any and the benefits to local trade would be con-

tion all of a similar type to that con- Greener " all parts of the Empire.

sidorable. Hongkong, as a Free Trade tained in the boxes. That was the main Bradbury Port, can seargely take the initiative in evidence against the second and fourth Basa (Skip) raising a discussion of this question Chinese constables in charge and went prisoners. Sergt. Carey left the two which is one for Colonies levying"import) down into the hold where the ammuni duties to decide for themselves. In the tion was stored. There the Sergeant opinion of this Association, however, this found the No. 1 prisoner squatting on a finle of cargo. Just where he was sitting aspect of Empire preference shoubi” be

A cartridge clip and some cartridges was Hongkong Government in order that, if boxes into which the cartridge clips fitted kept steadily before the notier of the found. A number of aruall cardboard the question should arise the next were found in the scuppers of the hold. Imperial Conference, or at any fine, Sergeant Cares counted the cases of Hongkong's opinion may be given in ammunition and found there were only favour of universal Empire Preference.

about 40 erases where there should have Coming new to the Board of Trade's been 30. Naturally he arrested the first. Circular Letter, dated 25th April, 1923, prisoner-the watchinan who had first asked the advice of the Chamber of on which the Hongkong Government has given the information to the police-a

it was obvious that he must, have known Commerce, it is not quite clear whether about what was going on. Sergt. Carey the Board of Trade intend to convey the then went down to the second deek of suggestion that the Combined Certi- the hold and there found seven wooden ficate of Value and Origin "' enn he cases, similar to those containing the adapted, by deletions, etc., for use by ammunition, They were broken open those who export goods from any part and empty. This Committee's understanding of the of the British Empire to any other part. Circular is that it secks to persuade all (whether they give a preference or not) Calories which levy import duties to adopt the same form of certificate and goods principally those cinating from to require ita use in respect of British pan man landed at the wharf where he the United Kingdom At any rate, it enu scarcely be the intention to suggest that Hongkong should require exporters in other parts of the Empire to use so four hag-similar the five bags con ALIBI PUT UP BY THE DEFENCE - elaborate a fort in respect of shipments

An extract from the Board of Trade Journal of Sept. 29th, 1022. states that the forms of invoice and certificate of alue and origin, recommended by the Imperial Customs 'Conference, have been adopted by and must be used in their entirety for shipments of British goods to the following self-governing Dominions And Colonies:-

Australia (from 1st January, 1923, but the forms will be accepted for present shipments)..

Cyprus (except for refined sugar, ex- tracts of sugar and molasses, and many factured tobacco).

New Zealand, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica. St. Vincent and Fiji.

Qualified neceptance of the Confor. ence's recommendations is recorded in the cases of Jamaica, British Guiana, Trinidad, Union of South Africa, Yew foundland, Gold Coast.

The Chamber was asked to advise the Government, upon a memorandum from the Board of Trade as to the applicability of a standard form of "certifiente of valec and origin" in the ease of Hong kong. The question was referred to the Association of Exporters and Dealers of Hongkong and their reply, as follows, was transmitted to "the Government:-

1 is clear that the recommendations of the Conference are particularly direct- ed to the case of the United Kingdom in so far as it lovies import duties, and of those Dominions, Colonies and Pro- tectorates the British Empire which iery similar duties and are therefore in a position to give a preference to the United Kingdom, including, in some cases, uther parts of the Empire. Para- graph of the Report inlientes this when it states the object of the Conference to

nt

stables on the main deck saw a man in a samopan approach the ship who shouted out to those on board "Is it fulse

During this time the twa Chinese con-

7 or

Is it all right "{ On receiving 10 answer from the men on board the sam

SHANGHAL

Poignand Cheetham

Show

Veitch (Skip)

The progressive scores were

No. of

SHANGHAI, CHAÏCENGOWER CC,

hoad. Shota Total. Shots Total 1.

18 19 ง

221

[BEYORE HIS HONOUR THE CHIEF JUSTICE

(HIR WILLIAN NEES DAVIES)]

stables. That inan was the third prison. was arrested by one of the Chinese con-

cr. In his posgenion, tied round bis } THE INDIAN STABBING CASE. waist, was found a pze of cloth-n dirty

taining the ammani. At the Police

to Hongkong, when such detailed parti-Station the second third prisoners

alars are not necessary under the local Free Trade system.

were found to have rnilar flour bags tied round their waist...

The case in which Lai Sing Ching, a motor-driver, is indicted for stabbing in Indian money-lender, with intent to murder him, was continged yesterday.

r

Opening his case for the defence Campbell Prosser said the prisoner's stury would be an emphatic denial of the whole thing and that he was confined to his house on the day the Indian was stabbed. His wife and landlady, wodd bear out what he would say,

The prisoner in the witness hox

The Combined Certificate of Value The third prisoner, said Mr. Dyer Ball, and Origin" is required solely by those bad mide a statement to the Police that Colonies which ave adopter the system he was engaged by a man named Sam of tarifa upon imports and it seems King Tso and asked him to go un board hardly necessary or desirable that flung and put the ammunition into bags The kong, which has no practical experience other prisoners, denied stealing or con of their problems, should express an spiring to steal the ammunition. opinion on the details or suggested.", Evidence was then called, amandments of the import, forminlich After the evidence had been taken his To reach a coinmon basis in inter-ariff systems. The exact wording of the Jury in the afternoon. He pointed out and 26th July she was sick.

they require in connection with their Lordship sumrned the ense for the he was confined to his house on the 25th

Colonies concerned, it only reinains for prisoner under the charge of conspiracy, was taken illan laly 20th and he was. forms having been agreed upon the the difficulty of dealing with the first. The prisoneria wife wafil her hushaml Hongkong to comply with its require: menta The form may seem to oval-ex- porters to be intricate as compared with our simpler form, but if the countries intimately concerned require muh a form ns the one under discussion Hongkong can but comply.

Manifestly, nothing hat, concurrence

preting particulars required from ex porters in respect of the value of goods for the purpose of ad valorem duties nd the conditions under which Prefer- ence tariff rates are levied.' Hungkong, ns a Colony which admits the gods of all countries freely and levien no duties upon imported goods, except for purposes of excise, has no means of giving preference to other parts of the British Empire but is clearly en-tan be expressed with the principle of titled to preference on, certain exports a uniform customs form for the whole to the United Kingdom. See Hoogkong British Empire. It seems open to nies- Government Notifications Nos. 152 of 4th King, however, whether other parts of the sentenced to four years imprisonment as to which of the three man stabbed the April, 1910, 278 of 20th June, 1919; 300 Empire will require the use of the new of 20th August, 1819 and 500 of 28th form by Colonies to which they do not November, 1019. The Just-mentioned grant a preference. As to that nucation notification includes cory of regulations no clear ruling on he disenyered in the made by the Board of Trade under Sec documents considered by this Association tion 8 (Imperial Preference of the and warhan, the Govemment can obtain Finance Act, 1819, providing that goods a decision from the Feme Authorities.

If he was there as a watchman and had at home on the 25th and 26th. Late n been paist say #30 to keen his mouth shut the evening of the 28th his unster (Mr. he did not think he could make that real Pittindrigh) sent for him and he wast robbery or conspiracy to rob. To his out to meet him at the garage. On July. mind it was simply a violation of duty 28th she heard he had been detained. as a watchman, On the face of the case The prisoner's landlady also gave cor. it appeared to be a case of larceny orroborative evidence. nothing at all.

Counsel for the defence then reviewed The Jary after a short retirement found the evidence at song length, stating that ceny and Nos. 1, 3 and 4 prisoners were acquitted by reason of the uncertainly ail, four prisoners equally guilty of lar he did not rely on getting his client

(the third and fourth having previous Indian, but emphasised that he based his convictions registered against them), defence on a complete and emphatic. The second prisoner-coolie with no denial that the prisoner was there at the previous envictions was sentenced to time. three years' imprisonment with hard- inbour.

At the conclusion of Counsel's address the esse

was again remanded to this og (Continued at foot of next column,)

morning.

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