the foreign producers strike out new lines for themselves, and from small beginnings evolve a considerable trade. While the British merchant or agent in Hongkong appears to be well on the alert, and to very efficiently represent the Home manufacturer, the latter seems too often reluctant to alter his styles and methods, does not care to make a present sacrifice for future profit, and is apt to neglect small openings for a new trade. This is in marked contrast to the untiring efforts of foreign makers to study the market and adapt their goods to the requirements of the consumer.
12.-Turning to a consideration of the transit trade of the Colony, which the Committee take to mean the transhipment of goods here for the neighbouring countries, Japan, Siam, Indo-China, the Philippines, Netherlands Indies, etc., this trade exhibits a tendency to increase on the whole, with the present exception of that with Indo- China, which has latterly shown a decline. This decline is due to the high preferential duties recently imposed by our French neighbours, the effects of which are visible in the falling off in the export of Yarns and British manufactured goods to Saigon and
Tonkin.
13. When the provisions of the new Treaty with Japan come into force a most serious decline is expected to ensue in the export hence of refined sugar to that country under the revised tariff, and it is feared that this, the chief industry of the Colony, which has already been very adversely affected, may perhaps be permanently injured. Had the Hongkong Government been consulted before the alteration of the tariff was decided upon, it is probable some adjustment of the duties less unfavourable to this Colony might have been arrived at, and this important industry saved the check it must presently meet.
14. Whilst the words "The Transit Trade of Hongkong" are perhaps not intended to directly include the conduct of trade with the interior of China, yet the Committee feel it within the scope of their inquiry to point out here that this Transit Trade would be largely benefited and increased, were the Transit Pass system allowed by the Native Authorities in South China to work in accordance with the Treaty require- ments. Unfortunately, ever since the signature of the Treaty of Tientsin, Article XXVIII. of which confers this Transit Pass privilege on British subjects, the officials in South China have steadfastly and persistently sought to render it a dead letter, and so far their success has been most complete. If the Transit Pass system be enforced, and the inland waterways of the Two Kwang provinces be opened to foreign trade and steamer navigation, as the result of negotiations now proceeding, there is every reason to believe that a marked increase in British trade will soon be apparent.
15. Another subject not perhaps strictly within the scope of the present inquiry, but which has come before the Committee incidentally, and is closely associated with the British shipping trade, is that of the impediments placed in the way of British ships obtaining their fair share of the Chinese passenger traffic at certain of the neighbouring outports. This is due to their having to conform strictly to the regulations of the Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855, whereas foreign steamers are subject to no such regula- tions, aud can in consequence carry double, or treble, the number of passengers permitted under the Act to a British vessel. Much lucrative trade is thus completely closed to British ships. The Committee therefore deprecate further legislation in the direction of making these passenger regulations more stringent, as the effect can only be to still more heavily handicap British Tonnage on the China Coast and lead to its supercession by Continental steamers.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Chairman.
W. C. H. HASTINGS.
N. J. EDE.
CHANTREY INCHBALD.
613
HONGKONG, 22nd June, 1896.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.