However much we may regret the recognition of lekin, in the Chefoo Convention, we cannot but think the probable effect of the recognition has been greatly exaggerated; and we fancy the error lies chiefly in forgetting that the admission does not in the east affect existing provisions for the protection of goods in transit to the interior. So far from being abrogated, Art. XXVIII of the Treaty of Tientsin is in fall force, and foreign goods are still protected en route from the port of entry to their destination in the interior, as perfectly as the transit certificates are able to protect them. In fact, the convention formally recognises two points, tending to strengthen this protection, which have gradually come to be more or admitted in practice; but one of which, at least, is still occasionally contested. So long as foreign goods are accompanied by a transit pass, "the nationality of the person possessing and carrying them" is now made immaterial; and Chinese owners of goods will, if we understand rightly, be permitted to take out transit passes. The first point, after being contested for a long time, was yielded by a despatch of the Tsung-li Yaméo, which was circulated by Tseng Kwo-fan in 1868, and has since been recognised in principle, though often disregarded in practice. The second point has come to be recognised in some districts and not in others in some places certificates have been granted to Chinese on application; in some they have been refused. It is now provided that they shall be granted everywhere; and these two provisions effect, practically, what has been so long contended for—that foreign goods should be allowed to pass free to any part of the country, irrespective of ownership, The quibble which has been often raised about the meaning of the word "interior," also, is removed by the clear assertion that the provisions regarding transit certificates apply aa much to places on the sea coast and river shores as to places in the interior of the country.
The right which it has been contended should exist, that foreign goods should be allowed to pass without further protection than their own entity, is impeded by this difficulty:—unlees they are accompanied by a transit certificate, the Chinese are fairly able to say they don't know whether the 2} per % commutation has been paid or not, and levy barrier squeezes ad libitum as they pass. The certificate, therefore, is essential, as a proof that the transit duty has been paid; and all facilities that can be given for procuring it, and all power of protection that can be acquired for it, seem now asserted. The ides, therefore, of a chain of lekin stations being erected round the settlement to pounce on goods the moment they pass out, is a trifle far-fetched. Foreign imports are as thoroughly, and better, protected than ever they were, in transit, What the Convention does admit, in stipulating that lekin shall not be collected on foreign goods in the hands of dealers within the settlements, is that they are liable to lekin when they pass into the hands of a dealer on their arrival at their destination in the interior. We have aid before, and we repeat, that we think this admission an error; but we also think the probable effect has been much exaggerated. It is while they are in transit, far more than when they are that goods are liable to exactions; isolated boats are completely at the mercy of every barrier they pass; but the power of the officials over a whole street of shop keepers is infinitely less. To a certain extent, exactions will be submitted to even there; but when these pass a certain limit, tradesmen combine and shut their shops, and Mandarins invariably in, We have, therefore, strong allies in the Chinese traders themselves, for there is no reason to suppose that they will be more willing to have their trade in piece goods strangled, than any other branch of their industry. In fact, although foreign merchants have always protested against Jekin levies on their goods, as illegal in any shape or form, there has never been any real attempt made to follow the goods after arrival at their destination; nor can we very well seo how such an attempt could be successfully carried out. Despite, indeed, of all our protests, no practical check has ever been placed on the taxation of goods within the settlement itself, much less when they have arrived at Hangchow or Nganking. Whether an endeavour will be made to take advantage of the present admission, greater
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.