Mar. 24.
In our issue of the 22nd instant, we dealt with tariff autonomy and its relationship to the promised abolition of likin 3 concerning foreign imports China, and in passing indicated the burdens now being imposed on the products of factories engaged in the business of manufacture and distribution in China herself, A correspond-cut whose letter we publish elsewhere now draws attention to that form of taxation on native goods steamer-borne in China, which, although forming part of the revenue collection of the Maritime Customs, is, as our correspondent justly points out, a likin levy, and as such a tax) on the free circulation of goods in transit within China itself.
A reference to the records of the Conferences of British Chambers of Commerce held during the past few years here clearly indicates that the importance of freedom for goods from transit taxation has been fully realized and pressed by the foreign community. This view, as it neces sarily would be; has also found support in Chinese mercantile circles and was one of the reforms promised by the Nanking Government in the summer of last year in return for the concession of tariff autonomy.
Perusal of past records of treaty negotiations, however, shows that they invariably grave irate towards abstract discussions of total abolition of likin, ending without practical result. The famous Aiticle 8 of the Mackay Treaty is a case in point. Total abolition of that form of taxation known generally amongst foreigners as likin is a dream of the theorist. As we said in our leader of Thursday, likin will never be abolished except in name, but that does not mean that it cannot be removed from channels of trade where it is obstructive of the free circulation of goods within the borders of China, nor does it mean that removal of such levies as the Coastal Trade duties need necessarily wait on the accor pushment. of other and_ lo easily affected fiscal modifica tions.
The infliction by the Maritime Customs of these Coastal Trade duties has always been resented by the Chinese and has tended to foster anti-foreign and particularly anti-British feeling. Their abolition requires no con sent of the Treaty Powers and their removal could well form the subject of united action by the Southern and Northern Governments as a practical expression of their oft repeated desire to lift the burdens from the long-suffering, hard-working and tax-ridden farmers and merchants of their country, while the administrative pen of the Inspector-General of Customs is all the machinery required to make such removal effective. We commend it to their earnest consideration,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.