Shanghai, 29th March, 1898.
Gestuewex,—We beg to bring' to your notice the hardship we inbour under on account of the handicap imposed on the sale of our Sulphuric and other Acids by the differential duty on native manufactured articles.
All raw materials used in the production of our Acids pay duty at first on importation from abroad, and when the Acids are made on our premises (The Kiangsu Acid Works, which have been established for many years) they are unable to meet imported supplies in the open market and in fair competition, on- account of the additional duty charged.
This Company although employing Chinese labour in the production of its manufactures is precluded by this extra impost from selling Acids to Chinese at. other places than Shanghai which are anxious to obtain their supplies from its works, and therefore business is restricted to the sale of Acids to local consumers, whereas Acids imported from Japan, or elsewhere, receive what may be called a bounty, in the shape of a lower duty, when it is desired to sell them at Soochow, or any other Chinese city, or open port.
Such a restriction is of course an obstacle to trade in China, and to the employment of native labour; is against the interests of the Chinese themselves, as it forces them on account of higher prices caused by this differential duty to buy and use Acids made in foreign countries instead of that which is reduced in their own country and by the your of their own people, and moreover creates almost a monopoly in favour of the importer of foreign Acids.
We would therefore ask the Chamber's kind assistance in bringing this matter before the proper authorities marder that we may be placed at least on an equal footing with the importer of Acids from abroad.
We are, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servants, Masor Broruers, Lp., E. O, Aruraxor, Secretary. To the Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai.
Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai, 4th April, 1898.
Sm,—Enelosed I have the honour of handing you a copy ofa letter that has been addressed to this Chamber by Messrs. Major Bros., Ld., complaining of the disabilities under which their production of Sulphuric Acid labours compared with that from Japan, and shall feel obliged if you will please let me know if there is any means by which the grievance complained of can be amended.
T have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. F. Aurorp, Chairman, Rocuer, Esq., Commissioner of Customs, Shanghai.
Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai, 5th April, 1898.
Srr,—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1189 of yesterday's date enclosing copy ofa letter from Messrs. Major Bros., Ld., complaining of the disabilities under which their production of Sulphuric Acid labours compared with that imported from Japan, etc.
Messrs. Major Bros. have not, to my your local production of Sulphuric Acid labours as compared with that imported from Japan, was fully considered by the Committee of this Chamber at their meeting last week, and it was thought advisable in the first instance to lay the matter before the Commissioner of Customs, to be in a position to deal thoroughly with the question. A copy of your letter was therefore forwarded to the Commissioner, who in reply writes: "Messrs. Major Bros. have not, to my knowledge, made any representation to this office on this subject, and if they will do so and supply me with data and figures illustrating how the pro-duets of their acid works compete unfavourably with those of Japan, I shall be pleased to lay the case before the Inspector General of Customs who, as you know, takes a keen and sympathetic interest in all commercial and industrial questions."
Ishall therefore feel obliged if you will lease lay full particulars of your grievance fore the Commissioner as requested.
Tam, Dear Sirs, Yours faithfully, F. Aurorp, Chairman, Messrs. Bason Bucs:, Ly.
Gestuemex,—We beg to thank you for Shangha, 13th April, 1898.
letter of 7th current, asking that we furnish fuller particulars (to be laid before the Commissioner of Customs) regarding the hardship we labour under in connection with the production of Sulphuric and other Acids on account of the differential duty chargeable on native manufactures.
Perhaps the shortest and clearest way of stating our case is to point out Ist.—That, as mentioned in our' letter of 20th March last, we pay duty on the raw materials used in the manufacture of acids at the time of importation, say 5 per cent.
2nd.—That after manufacture our acids are liable to duty when it is desired to export them, and to a further duty whea they reach the port to which they re consigned. This may be placed at 6 per cent on shipment to an open port and 2) per cent on entry at such port, say 7 per cent; or on the other hand 7} per cent if sent inland direct from here.
'$rd.—That acids not made in China pay an import duty, and the importer is granted 'a Customs Pass, under which the goods can be forwarded to other cities without any further duty being imposed. This may be computed at 5 per cent in full.
4th.—That acids not made in China can be reshipped to another port under the drawback system, so that practically only 5 per cent. is charged in full.
nefly therefore acids "produced om Chinese soil, and by the aid of Chinese Tabour, have' to bear the heavy burdens first, of import duty on the raiy materials 5 por cent, and afterwards 7 per cent og native manufactures, or a total of say 124 er cent, whereas ted acids not made knowledge, made any representation to this by Chinese labour in China, simply pay 5 per office on'this subject, and if they will do so j cent in full of all duties. and supply me with data and figures illus- Tt is therefore manifest that the duties trating how the products of their acid works: placed on native manufactured acids, are of compete unfavourably with those of Japan, such a nature as to bear heavily on any one T shall be pleased to lay their case before attempting to employ native labour and the Inspector General of Customs who, as ' manufacture such acids in China for sale to you know, takes a keen and sympathetic the Chinese themselves. interest in all commercial and industrial i Even in the manufacture of acids for oftiquestions.
T have the honour to be, cial purposes no facilities ave accorded to the manufacturer and full duties have to be Your obedient servant, Sir, Acids, which could, if facilities were granted, paid on the raw materials imported, so that L. Rocner, be supplied at cheaper rates, have at pre-Commissioner of Customs. sent to be paid for by the Departments at E. F. Atronp, Esq., rates to cover such duties as have had to be Chairman, Shanghai General Chamber of; disbursed by the manufacturer.
Commerce, Shanghai.
Furthermore acids manufactured by us if forwarded to other cities in the Empire for Chamber of Commerce, oficial destination and consumption, are Shanghai, 7th April, 1898. not, so far as known to us, exempt in any Dear Srrs,—Your letter of 29th ult.,! way from the a cent duty, and thus complaining of the disabilities under which imported acids can sold to the authorities
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.