Even before the present increase in dues, China ports were the most costly of practically any country in the world, the next in order being India.
No revision in the dues has taken place since 1858 at which time tonnage tax of four Haikuan mace was levied on each gross ton of ships above 150 tons entering China ports. This now immediately jumps Although at the time of writing the actual tonnage figures for all countries could not be learned the following give a fair estimate of tonnage costs:—China, M.$1.80 per gross ton; India, M4122; United States, B.$0.67;" Japan, B1.$0.16, England's tonnage dues are said to be slightly lower than those of the United States.
Since 1858, while China's tonnage dues have not been altered, practically every other civilized country has made improvements which, in practically every ease, has resulted in a lowering of the dues, And now, China (or at least Nanking) comes along and raises her dues by 60 per! cent, which will raise the cost per ton to B.$2.70, or considerably more! than twice the tax in four} times that of En and 17 times that of Japan.
The stand which the American shippers seem to be taking is that this will make it next to prohibitive to bring ships into China ports—at least the ocean-going tref, of which most of America's trade with the Orient consists.
Once the tonnage dues are paid 4 ship can trade in China ports for! four months without paying again. In a great number of cases—an American vessel wil only visit China Ports once in four months. thus putting her at a decided disadvantage, Coastwise shipping would not be 20 hard hit.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.