Whilst it is impossible at the resent time to give even approximlate figures of the local losses due to loss of property, loss of stocks, repudiated debts and the estimated loss of profits which would have accrued in a normal year and the estimated losses duo to the disruption of organizations built up. during many years at infinite labour] and expense, sufficient data available to show that these losses amount to many millions of taels.
The British Board of Trade figures for 1927 show that exports to China were approximately £4,500, 000 less than in 1926, representing} loss of employment toa large number of British artisans, particularly in the cotton mills of Lancashire, and to thousands of Chinese who are dependent on foreign trade for their livelihood.
During-the -year your Committee has been very much occupied with the various illegal taxes, viz., taxes imposed in contravention of the; treaties between Great Britain and Chin&, by the Nationalists in their} endeavour to raise funds for the prosecution of war, without regard to the economic effect of such taxes and in violation of the treaties:
The full list. of such illegal im. posts is too long and varied to enumerate but included in them are cigarettes, kerosene, coal and quite recently sugar surtaxes, Successful Protests 'The increase in tonnage dues by 50 per cent. was effectively con~ tested and as a result of ships sailing under Consular clearance, without payment of the 50 per cent. Sinerease, it is satisfactory to record: that the' surtax has been cancelled.
The very Inrge increase in import duties. on wine and tobacco and the proposed increases on many other} Imports which were advertised to] come into effect last September led. to vigorous protests and definite action of a positive nature.
As A result of the test case in H.B.M. Supreme Court on August 25, all duties in excess of the regular tari as approved by treaty! and of the surtaxes subsequently' arranged at the Washington Con~ ference 1922 and agreed to by Ht. Bf. Government, were declared to be: unlegal. Acting on this. decision M. Consul-General forthwith arranged to give clearances for wines: fand tabseco on payment, of ibe 5
The pretence of the Shanghat Defence Force, under the able command of Major General Sir John Danenn, undoubtedly "saved the Settlement and ita" thousands of foreigners and. hundreds of that sands. of Chinese from Violation during the crucial Weeks of last year andthe fact that this large {oreo was used solely for purposes fof defence and not for aggression demonstrated "once more the goodwill of Great Britain to. Chin The Nanking. incident which occurred on March 24, lant year, just the day before our last annual mivetfg, is still fresh inthe minds of wun all and there is no need to" refeapitulite the events which took Dlnce and the prompt action of the 'American and British ships which unquestionably averted. far more serious trouble. " Suifice it to say that the resourcefulness and prompt Action of the affeers' in command the ships redound to the credit of the British and American navies fand shows, that they. are at all times. ready to afford protection when protection is needed. As we fall know, negotiations are now proceeding and it Would, therefore, be out of place to make further refference to this incident except to express the hope that the nogotiations will be satisfactorily eoncludedend that adequate reparations witt'be made.
The effect on the upheaval of last year on British trade was naturally extremely serious, particularly. the Yangize Valley, where the anti-British. movement was most -pronounced." To this movement is. attributable the largest portion of the Tosees that have been sustained.
During the last year an effort was ade by the Chamber to estimhe losses sustained by British:
This procedure continued for some time until the Nationalist Government withdrew from position, whereupon Consular ances Were discontinued.
The imposition of the ton Surtaxes and Luxury Taxes having been agreed to by H. M. Government are now payable by all British subjects. Tt should be noted that Great Britain is the only Power that has legalized the payment of surtaxes and that, thougt paid by the nationals of other powers, the payment is made by' them under protest.
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