'THe Cuaman, Burisn Cuamner, oF Commence 'SHAMEEN.
Canton, July 9, 1928.
Dean Sin,—We wish to bring to your knowledge the fact that 38 cases of wines and spirits recently imported by us have Been seized by the Kuangtung, Canton and Honan 'Wine, Spirit and Cigarette 'Tax Bureau, on the grounds that Mr. Lillierap, who was landing this shipment for us, had not paid the "Stamp tax." The Customs duties and Wine tax were duly, paid, but the K, C. and H. W. S.' and Cigarette Tax Bureau will not re-Tease the goods until the "Stamp tax had been paid, also a fine of $150.00 for alleged smuggling by Mr, Lillicrap.
We wish strongly to protest against the above and would be grateful if you would use your influence to have' our goods speedily released without payment of th stamp tax or fine.
The stamp tax is entirely aga the treaties and exorbitant, amounting as it does to some 70 per cent. of, the value of the goods. Moreover the stamp tax had never been applied to Shameen before and the action of the Chinese in enforcing it on a shipment destined for Shameen, without previous notice of any kind, fs altogether unwarrant-
We understand that LIB.
Consul General has the matter in hand. But we feel that his posltion would be strengthened if he had the solid support of the British Chamber of Commerce behind him, in a matter which affects all Shameen firm:
With thanks in anticipation for anything you can do, We are, etc, E. Guveirn, Ltd, (Sd) M.A. Awnerr. Director.
Chairman of the Chamber to Consul-General J. F, Brenan, Esquire, ¢.a1, H.B.M, Consul General, Canton,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.