450
ILLEGAL EXACTIONS ON TRADE IN KWANGTUNG.
.
*
[June 3, 1899.
levied at Kowloon and Lappa, was for the same quarters as followe :-
1897 1898 1899 Tls. 305,818 305,496 306,764
Canton Wuchow West River Stages Samshui Kowloon Lappa
40,417 56,850 3,157 22,506 12,029 7,570
115,262 92 990 99,888 113,891 118,669 109,358
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
| trarily impose a tax or taxes on all and any goods they think fit without a moment's warning to those engaged in the trade. (Daily Press, 27th May.)
In the particular instance to which we are The Chinese officials in that sink of referring it is distinctly the duty of the iniquity___ the Kwangtung Province are Consuls in Canton, of all nationalities, to again
engaged in their characteristic tactics, protest against this illegal levy, to telegraph will be seen from the translation of a to their respective Ministers the facts of the amation which we publish elsewhere. case and advise the latter to demands By this proclamation a certain person or total and instant abolition. We say it is
Tla. 524,971 567,788 602,936 persons are authorized to collect a lekin the duty of all the Consuls to do this with- These figure
moderntely satisfactory and taoli of 15 cents per case on all kerosine out distinction as to nationality, but in view in themselves, still more so when they oil throughout the province. At Samshui of the importance of British interests in the are regarded as an indication of the possibi-. they have established a station and not-south of China it particularly devolves on lities of expansion under improved couditions. withstanding that as yet they have not the British Consul to take this matter up, The West River can never hope to rival the attempted to collect on oil covered by a in conjunction with his colleagues if possible, Yangtsze in respect of the volume of trade transit pass there is little doubt but that if not, then without them, This is not a
carried upon it, but the traffic will in the their ultimate object is to do so. Last question of that oft repeated statement future attain dimensions beside which the year our Consul nt. Canton succeeded in that the Chinese Government have the present figures will appear small. The pro- having this or a similar farm abolished, and right to impose what taxes they like." It vinces of Kwangsi, and Yunnan have our Minister in reporting the fact home is a case where the taxation on a certain not yet recovered from the ravages of explained that the abolition of the farm commodity is thrmed out to a party of in- the Taiping and Mahommedan Rebellions, would have more far-reaching effects than dividuals who may be trading in the and what movement there has been in the the exaction of a money compensation as a commodity themselves and as such is a direction of recovery has been retarded by recompense to tlie firm whose oil the farmer distinct monopoly, a thing forbidden alike misgovernment, a dishonest fiscal systen, had seized. How deterrent the penalty by the French Treaty and by something and piracy and brigandage. The process of inflicted has proved our readers can judge stronger aad - more lasting than the recovery will be stimulated by the safe and for themselves. The German Minister was French or any other treaty, namely, common
free navigation of the waterways of the pro- quite right in his reply to the Tsungli sense and common justice. Strong men- vinces, by steam, where steam navigation Yamen when the latter were trying to persuade him to withdraw the German with a nation so little capable of keeping and robbery, and by freeing the trade from sures are needed and should be adopted is possible, but, whether by steam or by junk, with reasonable security against outrage trooi & from Shantung. He said the Chi- faith as the Chinese. The disgracefu nese Government have so often proved shuffling that is going on with regard of all illegal exactions. The right to navigate themselves utterly untrustworthy that no the opening of the inlant waters must
the inland waters has already been secured promise on their part is to be relied upon convince our Legation that the German in theory (though defective regulations have and that the German troops would continue methods, and German methods alone, are us yet prevented the realisation of this to occupy Kinohow until such tiine as his those which the Chinese officials can under- advantage), and the opening of Wuchow requirements were satisfied. Compare this stand or appreciate. Force is the one thing and the consequent transfer of the duty reply with our attitude. Cur Minister they respect and the one thing they fear. collection from the Native to the Foreign telegraphs to Lord SALISBURY that Sir Until that is used they will continue to Customs, together with the enforcement of ROBERT HART tells him that the provincial disregard treaties and obligations, to check the transit pass system, has in part regu- revenues must be most carefully dealt with. the legitimate expansion of trade, and to larised the taxation of trade and diminished Carefully dealt with indeed! Could any grow rich on the pelf they squeeze out of the opportunities for illegal exactions; but measures, however drastic on our part, the vast conglomeration of states which they trade on the river is still exposed to the prove of more harm to the state than the pretend to govern. It is a marked coincid-risk of piracy, which the Chinese authorities present action of the provincial officials? ence that the withdrawal of the British appear either unable to suppress or to Could anything we should inflict on Consul from Samshui and the establish- treat with indifference. The torpedo boats the people in taking over the financial ment of the kerosine oil farm at that place which were some time ago told off administration of the country prove worse should be concurrent events, and it only for this purpose are said to be engaged in than what they now endure? In any illustrates the necessity that exists for turning an honest penny by towing, to the civilized country such scoundrels as com- having our interests safeguarded at all neglect of their proper work, which receives prise the official class of China would long points by our own officials, who, occupying no attention. If piracy is to be suppressed, ago have been relegated to that position in an independent position, can hold in check then, it would seem that it will have to be society for which their talents for chicanery these malpractices in a way which the Com- by British gunboats. It was reported the particularly fits them. But as the people of missioner of Customs, however willing, other day that the Sandpiper had shelled the country seem to have neither the desire cannot be supposed to do.
the village at which the pirates to institute nor the manhood to carry out the reforms needed it remains with us to assume such control over the finances as will secure to all an equality of taxation for themselves and their goods. The day has gone by when the public will be satisfied with the enunciation of axioms on the ques- tion of taxation such as passed muster in the past. Academic discussions on the right of the Chinese Government to tax transit pass goods or not, may be very satisfactory to " my Lords of Trade," but in the mean- time the merchant makes heavy losses, and when merchants make heavy losses these same merchants get angry, and getting angry they protest. In the past it is true they have protested in vain, but as we have already stated, the time for that has gone by. The Cliina question is too prominently before the public at home for the Govern- ment to continue the attitude which has characterized them for the past thirty years. They must now act, and the only form in which action is possible-let them shirk it as they may-is European control over the whole of the finances of China. Come it must. Meanwhile not only should it be the policy but it is the duty of our Consuls to take
Tls. 141,701 174,134 182,451 and vigorously contest the right of the The total collection, including opium duty Chinese Government to suddenly and arbi- and lekin, export duty, and the local taxes
up
TRADE AND PIRACY ON THE 'WEST RIVER.
(Daily Press, 2nd June.)
R
attacked the British stennier Wha
landed, and the pity of it is that the report turned out to be unfounded. The modus operandi of the river piracies is almost invariably the same. The pirates go on board the vessel they have selected The Customs Returns for the January for robbery as ordinary passengers, and, March quarter show that the trade of Houg-
or reaching a given spot, where confederates kong's more immediate commercial depeu are in waiting, with boats, they rise, over- dencies is in a fairly prosperous condition awe the passengers and c crew, secure their and that the West River trade in particular. loot, and make good their escape. Under gives promise of fulfilling the expectations this system the chance of their being of the most sanguine advocates of the open caught in flagrants delicto by any gun- ing of that route. The import duty collected boat, either Chinese or foreign, is re- on general cargo during the quarter and in
mote and if they are to be effectually the corresponding quarters of the two pre-suppressed it must be by tracking them vious years at Canton, Kowloon, Lappa, and the West River ports was as follows:-
Canton Wuchow Samshui Weat River Stages Kowloon Lappa
1897 1898 1899 .Tls. 84,212 95,708 81,302
23,233 1,418 11,648 *37,994 25,553
19,495 16,579
there. It is well known that certain vil- to their lairs and dealing with them
lages and towns are the head quarters of piratical gangs, and whọn n piracy has been committed and the pirates are traced to 30,646 one of these places it would seem to be 17.239 only common sense nad justice that the 7,039 town or village should be required to 30,311 deliver up the delinquents and be held 15,914 liable to severe penalties if it failed to do so. Should China feel her national dignity wounded by having her rivers policed by foreign gunboats, and the British Government be inclined to consider
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