DeanSin,—I beg to forward under cover copies of petition addressed to His Excel-Iency the Governor of Hong' ong, by the agents and representatives of Companies and firms owning stramers trading to and in the Far East, on the subject of the Light Dues now levied, and proposed to be levied vessels entering the port of Hongkong, of a let ior addressed by this Chamber to His Excellency in support of the prayer of that Petition amcored a vob shipping tendo by virtue of hongkong being a free port, and havin
that freedom, this Chamber naturally re-Setract from its position in that respect, rds with a jealous eye any attempt to
'The tendency in many' countries being to increase the burdens on shipping, my Committee trust that your Chamber will lend its influence in the direction of reducing those burdens, and to assist in preserving this important trade centre entirely free therefrom.
Tam, dear Sir, Yours faithfully, R. Cuarrenroy Wrox, Secretary.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, 21st Jariuaty, 1807.
Sim,—A copy of the Petition presented' to His Excellency the Governor by-shipping firms and agencies representing steamers trading to and in the Far East on the subject of the Light Dues having been forwarded t this Chamber, my Committee wich to express to the Government their most emphatic concurrence in the views set out in that Memorial.
In a letter addressed to you on the 31st of uly last, the opinions of this Olamber on this important question were stated at some: length. The mere "mount of the Light Dues is not regarded so much' as is the principle involved in the practical retention of the Special Gap Rock' sax. That tax was imposed at the suggestion of the shipping interest when advocating the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.