The subject of Drawbacks had already been brought to his attention by the Chamber of Commerce at Hankow. "He thought it plain that the present system was injurious to the shipper. It resulted in keeping afloat a vast amount of Drawback Certificates on wi the shipper loses interest. The Drawbacks can only be used to pay other coastwise duties. A Drawback means simply that the Customs have money which be-Tongs to the shipper. This money should either be paid in Gash or Drawbacks should be receiv for all dues which would keep them at par. A good system which was once adopted and in force for a short time, was to allow the shipper to give Bond that he would pay the coastwise duty unless he exported the goods in one year. Hi opinion was that that system should readopted. Under it no money would be paid and no drawback issued. The duties would be paid on failure to export the was entirely willing to ce-operate with his Colleagues in securing this Change.
The Ministers have put in nich tine dis- and labor with the Land Regulations. It is not necessary to anticipate by any remarks the formal Report of the Dean on the part of the Ministers. They carefully considered every section by itself and made certain amendments and changes which were unanimously adopted. It is to be hoped that the amendments so made will be approved by the Municipality ea that the new ions may take effect without further delay. The Ministers were all very kindly disposed towards the City of Shanghai and its people. As these regulations must be transmitted to the Governments of the Treaty Powers for their approval they received mature consideration.
doubt they will be transmitted to the Municipality in a few days.
Chairman again thanked Colonel Denby for After some desultory conversation the
their reception and the Committes with-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.