To the Editor of the "Norta-Catna Dalny News."
Sin,—It_may be of interest to your readers to know that the Japanese anthorities in Formosa have introduced a method of "squeeze" which, T think, even the much-abused likin-levying Mandar will not easily outdo. T refer to an intimation from the Japanese Customs, to the effect, that for the three months, October to December, goods invoiced' in Mexican dollars will be calculated for taxing purposes at.110,—which mean at the present time, that goods say, value $100-=yen 75, will be reckoned at yen 90. This, however, is not all, for when silver dollars are tendered in payment of the duty so levied, these are not reckoned at.90 but at the current rate of the day. This will certainly not tend to increase trade betiw like Shanghai or Hongkong and Under the revised tariff, most nece: ave taxed some 20 or 25'per cent and with this additional squeeze it amounts to 30 or 40 per cent.
It should be noted that when the Customs fixed the rate at.90 the dollar ly down to.83 and has now Tam, ete., Or Tainan, Formosa, 20th November.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.