"The Article (XX VILL] promises exemption from all charges in ¢ransitu over and above those specified in the Treaty on inports passing from a port to an lulaad market, or on produce from an inland market to a port of shipment; provided always, as Sir Frederick Bruce read the Treaty, that such imports or produce being Jard ile British-owned, were accompanied by a certificate." p, 443, Now as to the redress or mitigation of our as 1do not put the same construction as the Memori: i Article XXVIUL, it follows that there will also be'a difference in the remedial measures we T hold that the transit by Treaty, once paid, the i wun granted should clear the foreign payer's imports of transit dues to any inland market he may choosy, or his exports purchased inland to any port. Refusal to issue acertiticate isa breach of Treaty; so is the lev of any due in excess of the payment for whicl the certificate in fact, a receipt. But the certificate will not exempt the goods cleared under it from the lo-Lin, or from any other tax once they have become Chinese property. Memorialists hold that it should; "'The import trade has, no doubt, primd facie this advantage, that from the inland wint of distribution, our manufactures will an inn proved chance of circulation 5 but, against this, surely, must be. set a vast crease of risk and expense. There must Lo an accumulation of foreign-owned stocks at this inland centre." p. 449.
would further have the Central Government formally advised that, henceforth, wher ever a British merchant can prove his complaint that imports or exports, being Land fide his property and certificated, have been taxed in transit in excess of the charge authorized by Treaty, he must be indemnified on the requisition of his Consul at once, by the superintendent of Customs at the port at which he, the comple nant, resides; &e." p. 452.
He does not hint cognizance of any excessive charge if the imports have become Chinese property.
Those who were present at a private meeting at Mr. Medhurst's house on 16th November, 1869, to hear Sir R. Alcock ox plain the Convention, will remember that on a leading member of the mercantile community expressing himself that the Treaty of Tientsin already provided that the Transit Pass should cover foreign gooila irrespective of ownership, Me. Wale, who waa present, rose and said that he could not be mistaken as to Lord Elgin's intention, which was to avoid taking under British jurisdiction, or interfering with, Chinese subjects or Chinese property. This is the key-note of the whole question. There was at the time a political objection to unnecessary interference, and although the fears that then existed may be shown to be groundless, it is by no means certain that the British Government are even now cee to spt a concession that may leave them, if it is to be effective, no alternative but to force the local authorities to for the taxation of their own subjects. While the imports continue British property, the aggrieved have a locus standi with the British Consul and the British
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.