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GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
2.........
CONTINUAtion No...................
79
the policy of the Directors of the company to extend their manufacturing interests In China to include switchgear, transformers, domestic appliances, radio apparatus and communication equipment.
The relinquishment of extra-territorial rights by the British Government naturally raises the very important question of whether it would be preferable to establish such factories in Shanghai or Hong Kong, and the answer, from practically every point of view, is Hong Kong.
is Hong Kong. But, there is the insurmountable difficulty of the Chinese Maritime Customs.
Goods manufactured in Hong Kong, when sent into China, have to pay exactly the same customs duty as if manufactured in England and therefore cannot compete in price with goods made in Shanghai and other parts of China.
products:-
These customs duties are as follows for various electrical
Electrical machinery, dynamos, motors,
transformers, not over 20 K.W.
--ditto---
Lighting accessories
Wires & Cables
over 20 K.W.
Domestic appliances and cookers
Batteries
Radio sets
Receiving valves
15%
10%
25%
20%
25%
25%
25%
20%
Very few factories were actually located in the territory of Hong Kong, and these few found it profitable to export their product to England, claiming Empire preference at the hands of the Custome service in England, rather than to seek the more logical market in China. It will be recollected that the importation of rubber-soled shoes, electric torches and bulbs etc: into England from HongKong caused considerable embarassment to English manufacturers În the years immediately preceding the war.
It is obviously undesirable that goods manufactured by Chinese labour in Hong Kong should be dumped on to the Home market, and it is equally obvious that it would be most beneficial to the Colony of Hong Kong to offer every facility for the establishment of factories, within the boundaries of the Colony, which would cater for the needs of the Colony itself and for the China market.
It is anticipated that, when the Japanese have been finally expelled from Hong Kong, an enormous amount of money will be required for reconstruction, and it will probably be found desirable to introduce a comprehensive Customs service, covering all imports and exports, in order to augment the revenue, if from noother point of view. Hitherto import duties have been levied onlý on tobacco, wines & spirits; and on motor cars, of other than British make, upon first registration.
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