There is an impression among Chinese merchants and manufacturers here that goods coming in from Shanghai, Hankow, Tientsin, Chefoo fete. would not be subject to the customs tariff, being native products. In others words, they believe - only goods from foreign countries would be levied on. From this they' are the opinion that locally manufactured goods might be admitted to Kuangtung duty free, It is not known how far this view]
accurate, but it is sound, the presence of customs stations here would benefit local manufacturers. Under existing conditions, all goods manufactured here are' required to pay duties at Canton on the same terms if they were shipped from Europe and America. Local Chinese industrialists have been fighting for preferential tariff but have not succeeded to date.
When General Chen Ming-shu, leader of the recent Fukien revolt, was Chairman of the Kuangtung
opposed the creating of a custom Provincial Government he strongly house in Hongkong, contending that such would be detrimental to the interests of Canton. Owing to his strong opposition, this question was pidgeon-holed by the Nanking authorities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.