Against Ship Construc-ion, to Ichang Works work by local shipowners following the disastrous state of affairs which arose as a result of the disturbances in the Yangtze River two years ago. This called a halt in building programmes, but confidence is now being steadily restored and. there are distinct signs of a return to normal conditions and increased activity, We have recently booked aniers for seven more lighters anit pontoon and inquiries for larger vessels are also being received, hope before long the works will be fully employed again in this of activity.
Tari and Shipbuilding, At the same time it_must be alized that the new tariff Imposing, as it does, substantial duties upon material and component parts necessary in construction work, particularly' on Inrge and more': important vessels, is going to prove 4 serious "handicap, and sibly result in the diversion of much construction work to other building centres which, otherwise, would have come to Shanghai, Tt seems a little anomalous that, if a Chinese ping company, or any company, ratings vessels' in these waters ish to acquire new tonnage, they can have a vessel built abroad or at Hongkong, and can then operate it in the Yangtze or on the coastal (rade wr, for the matter of th in any trade, and it the owners one cent in duty, however, the vessel be ull hai it will represent, when in cost a considerable in respect of Customs duty paid upon the raw materials and essential parts, To euch extent, therefore, the recently introduced vill cannot be regarded as very xelestific, and T would suggest, for the consideration of the authorities concerned, that, in any revision of the tariff, raw' material and come int parts to be utilized in cone truction (thereby providing labour for Chinese workmen) should ither admitted allowed, ate of ay dul warer that 1 have to inform you that your Loard has not Felt justified in. proceeding with sig of the ow' dock'
This matter has cans gen whelved and is constant receiving our devious considera It ix hoped that the time is not far distant when definite de: cisions can be made in this cons section,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.