Combine of 50 Leading Guilds on Strike Against Levies Made on Luxuries Canton (despatched from Hongkong), Apr. 15.
Canton will see another gig trike on April 16, when more th 50 trade and commercial guilds those members deal in goods considered as luxuries will close their doors as a protest against the recent Kuomintang mandate levying a further tax on these articles, which are mostly imported and for which Customs duties have to be The tax been effective on April 5, but, on an appeal by the guilds affected, the Commissariat of Finance postponed enforcement of the mandate in order to afford time to negotiate with the merchants, to whom payment of a larger war fund contribution and an official gift of a substantial amount were suggested of the proposed new tax. Upon the failure of the merchants to respond, the tax was made effective on April On April 13, more than 60 guilds met and decided on a Some guilds, like trade, involve thousands of workmen, and a strike without backing would bring hardship to many. The manufacture of jade articles tak in about 16,000" skilled—workers while the making of paper boxes, the inspection of articles produced, and a dozen other departments of service before a jade ornament is Tut on the market employ a like number of men and women, The leading guilds involved in present strike against the luxury tax in Canton include the gold and silver-smiths, pearl, jade, ivory, embroidery, curios, watch, fur, cos mme ties and many others.
Other guilds outside the luxury class, which are already on strike against, further imposts, are the kerosene oil and aerated water trades. To strengthen the kerosene oil dealers in Canton, those at Wuchow, Kuangsi, also have been informed that no' more distributions will be made and are advised to cease: deliveries until further notice.
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