December 16, 1901.]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The Abolition of Lekin on Foreign Imports. | and trade is much disturbed. It is manifestly -This subject, which includes the abolition of various inland squeezes, such as Lo-ti shiu Tao-li, and other exactions, is so well known that further comment here is hardly necessary, the evil effects of these multiplied imposts being matter of notoriety.
Duties on Goods Imported Overlund.—As the duties on seaborne Imports will be raised under the Protocol, it is only reasonable to suggest that the duties on goods imported across the frontiers should be raised proportionately
The Effective Opening of Inland Waters to Foreign Steam Navigation-The interpretation placed by the head of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs upon
the Regulations governing steam navigation on Inland Waters has rendered this much desired concession practically valueless. Earnest representations
have from time to time been made on this sub- ject. The Regulations more particularly affect ing Hongkong are those which have hampered the development of trade on the West River. As the full particulars have already been placed in possession of the British Minister at Peking, it is not necessary to go into great detail bere.
What in our opinion is required to make this concession of real practical value may be shortly stated as follows:-
Inter-treaty port steamers should be also registered for Inland navigation, that is to say. the Inland Waters Navigation Regulations should be modified so as to adapt them to the whole trade. The West River Regulations. while remaining in force (possibly with modifi- cations) for vessels running to and from Hong: kong or Macao from or to River ports should be abolished for steamers confined to Chinese Inland Waters.
Kongmoon should be declared a treaty Port, whence (and als from Samshui and Wachow) after payment of duties, goods would be free to find their way inland, either by the importing or other steamers, as might be found convenient.
The opening of the West River as far as Nanuingfu, or the head of steam navigation.
The opening of the East River, as far as it may be navigable for steamers, and the open- ing of Waichow-fu as a Treaty port."
Intimately connected with the foregoing are the following questions:-
Duties.-Equality of taxation of any kind for all goods whether carried by foreign or native craft, steam or sail.
The question of Preferential Duties on junk borne cargo from Canton to Hongkong and vice versa as against shipments by steamer has been repeatedly raised by this Chamber. This has been the outcome of the duel system of Customs, and has resulted in the almost total extinction of the cargo-carrying between Canton and Hongkong by steamer.
also
In addition to the above grievance the steamer trade on the West River is subjected to another form of differential taxation. The Tekin col- lected on cargo carried from Canton in Chinese lighters towed by launches is not only less than one and a half duty levied by the Customs if carried by steamers, but lekin taxes are levied on steamer-borne cargo before shipment and after discharging in addition
the Customs
and one
half duty. The result is that the cargo-carrying trade be- tween Canton and Wuchow is practically monopolised by these Chinese lighters towed by steam launches.
to
a
Coast Duties to be ablished as far as River Ports are concerned, and one full duty to free goods to Hongkong froin any point up river.
Re-export aud Re-packing.-Permission to bring down goods from the West River or other Inland Waters to Canton and to re-export the same with the facility of re-packing uuder one full duty.
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Suppression of Piracy in Delta.--During the past few years the trade along the delta of the Canton rivers has been seriously interfered with by the operations of numerous piratical bands. The blighting effects of these piracies on trade are too well known to need any lengthy reference to them.
Efforts have been made by British gunboats to suppress this pest and with for a time some good effect; moro recently the British vessels have received some assistance in this police work from other foreign squadrons; but, not- withstanding these efforts, piracy has proved hydra-headed, is again extremely prevalent,
the duty of the Chinese authorities to preserve order in their own territory and keep the waterways safe for traffic, but up to the present, spite of the representations made by foreigu officials, they have extirely failed to carry the urgently ne ded repressive measures into effect,
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Improvements in the Channels of the Kwang Rivers-There are many dangers and obstruc- tion in these waterways, which should be removed. Without enumerating in
detaill those on the West River (which have already been indicated) We might call special attention to the existence of a number on the river between Hongkong and Canton, soms natural and others artificially created The removal of these would be a great boon to steam navigation in particnlar. The following
is a list of these obstructions:-
In Blenheim Pussage-Ilonam Sandspit. This should be dredged. Tai Sandspit. This should be dredged. Tai Shek Barrier-The stones should be removed. Comins Rock --This should be lighted. Bridge Barrier Stones should be removed. Iron Barrier Stones should be removed.
In Cambridge Pussuye-Salt Flats. These are composed of sand, which should be dredged. Whampoa Barrior.-Stones should be removed. Sulphur Point.-Dredging re- quired. First Barrier.-Stones should be removed. Grassy Tongue.--Should be lighted. The Shek and Whampoa Barriers are original barriers put down some sixty years ago. Bridge Barrier is of old standing, and both the stone and bridge should be removed; the bridge itself is rotten. The other barriers were put down during the Franco-Chinese war. All these barriers are artificial, and purpose but to obstruct navigation.
The
serve no
THE DISINHERITING OF
PU CHUN.
The following Imperial Decree was issued from Kaifengin on the 30th ult., the translation being from the N.-C. Daily News:-
479
DEPARTURE OF THE HON.
1
H. E. POLLOCK,
the Colony the Hon. H. E. Pollock, K.C., late By the s.s. Eastern on the 18th inst. there left
Acting Attorney General, whe proceeds to. Fiji, via Australia, to take up the post of Attorney General there. When the news of Mr. Pollock's promotion was first announced, we mentioned that the satisfaction of all his friends at his success
was tempered by the sustained by the Colony. There are very many deeply felt regrets at the loss about to he branches of our social life in which Mr. from his great legal abilities, to which it was Pollock's departure will cause a blank. Apart due that on several occasions before the last period be acted as Attorney General, and by which h helped to put through the Legislative Conncil several important Ordinances, he was well known in a variety of ways. He was, of Branch of the Navy League, to which he course, the life and soul of the Hongkong gathered numerous converts during his secre- taryship. He worked with great energy in connection with the Odd Volumes Society. de was certainly one of the most charitable en of his means in the Colony, and many aid. He founded the Hongkong Chess Club distressed persons have experienced his kindly and was for some considerable time champion made himself a familiar figure to residents, and ut that game here. In many other ways he the Colony is distinctly the poorer by his departure.. The best wishes of all residents in
Hongkong go with him.
TRIAL TRIP OF S. S.
MARU."
"BAKAN
The s.s. Bukuu Maru ran her tria! trip on the 8th inst, to Castle Peak Bay in splendid weather. It had been originally intended to steam round the Island, but owing to the fear that some of the guests might have an unpleasant time the shorter journey was elected. The Bakan Maru is a steamer of 470 tons gross designed for the Canton trade and belonging to the China Steamship Co. of Hongkong and Canton, Ld. She has twin screws and triple expansion engines and was built in Japan. She was brought down to Hongkong some two months
In order to fit the vessel ago.
-the
;
Was
We have been instructed by the Majesty the Empress Dowager, Tze-hsi-tuan-yu, etc, etc., to issue the following decree-Pu Chun, the son of the cashiered Prince Tuan, Tsai Yi, 2nd for the trade for which she is designed
she Canton carrying trade- Order, it is well known to the Empire, was formerly selected by special decree to be the overhauled by the Tung Tai Company heir-in-succession of the late Emperor Tung and her awning deck was placed one tier Chih (the present Emperor's immediate pre- the deck houses, etc. The Bakan Maru has a higher, so that on this deck are cow all decessor.-Translator). Last year, however. the Boxer disturbances were started, which speed of 12 knots, her beam being 23 feet, her led to hostilities with the various Powers, and length 140 feet, and her depth of hold 9 feet. this resulted in the abandonment of the T'em- She has accommodation for 12 first-class passen- ples and tablets of our Imperial Ancestoss;
gers and 630 Chinese, second and third class. She has twin screw triple expansion engines. As the shaking to its foundation of the whole fabric of the Empire: and the flight for regards her fittings the Bakan Maru is splendidly refuge elsewhere of the Imperial Court. Sub-equipped. At the trial trip on the 8th inst. there sequent investigations by ns have now shown us that the chief author of all these troubles
is the cashiered Tsai Yi, ex-Prince Tuan, who by his conduct has sinned deeply against our Imperial Ancestors. Now, as Tai Yi has already been severely punished and banished, it is hardly right that such a man's son should be made Heir-Apparent to the Throne. Moreover Pu Chün himself feels borne down by the shame and disgrace of his father's conduct, and he has therefore voluntarily appealed to us to disin. herit him. We ourselves feel it proper that
Pn Chin's prayer should be granted and the decree appointing him Heir Apparent be can- celled. Pu Chun is therefore hereby re- lieved of his title of Heir-Apparent (Ta A-koe) and is commanded to leave the precincts of the Inner Palace immediately. By extra Imperial grace we hereby bestow upon Pu Chün the brevet title of a Duke of the 1st Order, with liberty to draw the salary and allowances attached to the rank; he is moreover excused from the duties at Court usually incumbent upon the holders of such rank. As for the selection of another Heir-Apparent, as this is à matter of vital importance, it will bo necessary to wait and select some well-behaved and talented person for the post when the Empress Dowager will issue another decre announcing her choice. Let this edict be made known to the whole Empire.
were, many guests. Among those present were Mr. H. F. Carmichael, superintendent of the Company, Mr. M. Mason, captain of the steamer; Mr. R. Hanson, engineer, Mr. V. E. Berg, mate; Mr. Muegens, Capt. Robinson, Capt. Walker, Messrs. W. A. Craik, Government Mercantile Surveyor, C. Cooke, R. Henderson, F. Fair. weather, A. B. Edwards, F. R. Wilgress, L. D.. Wilgress, F. W. H. Howell, Mrs. Kew, Mrs. Quinn, Mr. McLachlan, Mr. T. Meek, Messrs. T. Takayanagi, Acting Manager, N.Y.K., T. Arima. Manager, Osaka Shosen Kaisha, Mr, Fuk King Nam, general manager, Mr. Chau Yip Tong, chairman, Mr. Chan Fan Un, Mr. Liang Ngan Piun, Mr. Shean Shing Ping, chants' Company), Mr. Chan Shewan (manager Mr. Lian Tse Shan (manager of Chinese Mer-
Merchants, Ho Sing Chou, Sam Wang, Lo Sing of King Win Company), Liu Tse Shan, China Lou, Harbour Department, Cheong Shun Sun, Kum Tak Tai, Ngan Hang Po, Causon A Foo and others. Altogether about 400 on board. On the trip Mr. Howell proposed the toast of" Success to the ship," to which were Captain W. M. Mason replied.
The Chinese Engineering and Mining Co's coal-steamers at Shanghai are now being trans- ferred to the British flag. The Heiping hoisted her new flag at the end of November, and the Yungping and Kwangping last week.
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