To the Editor of the "Norra-Curva Dalny News."
Sim,—In your issue of the 3rd inst. you were good enough to take notice of my Proposed scheme for advertising China Tea, and in your issue of the 17th inst. you published a letter from Mr. George Butler commenting on the scheme, With this I beg to hand you copy of my letter to the members of the trade dated the 22nd inst., which was circulated at this port before the paper containing; the above-mentioned letter came to hand.
As there are many firms at yours and elsewhere who no longer deal in tea on account of the unprofitable nature of the trade, but who are nevertheless interested in what is going on, may I tres-Pass on your valuable space and request you to publish it attached to these lines.
Mr. George Butler suggests that the scheme should be brought to the notice of Sir Robert Hart and the amount of ls.0.2.5 per picul which he states the Customs are now collecting in excess of what the Export Duty should be, ought to be given towards the advertisement fund. That the scheme should be brought before the highest officials with the view of obtaining the support of the Customs and perhaps also of the Chinese Government I certainly agree and it may be of some interest to your readers to know that before the scheme was placed before shippers asking for their co-opera tion, I took steps to lay the matter before certain people here who have the desired influence in the directions required, and without committing a breach of confidence in any way, I can safely say that if shippers of tea will only place in my hands replies to my letter asking. for their support, I can without difficulty raise all the money that will be required at the commencement. I must, however, obtain UNANIMOUS support.
With reference to Mr. Butlers suggestion that the Customs should be asked to refund the sum of Tls. 0.2.5 per picul, which he says they are collecting in excess of what they should, I am sorry that I cannot in any way agree with him. Any contribution from the Customs, and/or the Chinese Government, must be given as an got of grace, and I should certainly oppose
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.