Shanghai, 20th March, 1901.
Sin,—The attention of this Chamber has been called to the fact that from time to time notices are posted in the Custom House, announcing, on the authority of the Inspector General, certain changes the Tariff, and the Committee of this Chamber take exception to this on the broad principle that no change whatever in the Tariff should be made without re ference to, and without the consent of, the Representatives of the Treaty Powers.
The two following instances that have come to the knowledge of the Committee will illustrate the irregularity of which this Chamber complains a.—There is at present posted in the Shanghai Customs a notice that on and after the Ist August next certain piece goods which have hitherto paid specified Tariff rates will be charged ad valorem duty.
&.—Importers of Printing Paper have been compelled since July Ist, 1900, by
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.