Dr. Kung Says Revision Made with Utmost Care of pro-{tests Irom native merchants against the revised schedule of Customs tariff which was. branded as mental to certain domestic industries, Dr. H. H. Kung, Minister of Finance who returned here from Nanking by J2eroplane on Friday afternoon, interviewed by press representatives the Central Bank yesterday stated that the new Customs tariff had been promulgated by the Ministry only fatter lenginy and most careful study the authorities concerned, Dr. Kung told his interviewers lat "the consternation now existing Jamong certain groups of merchants Jabout the new Customs tariff was Unnecessary because the almost care ]was taken by the authorities when they were engaged in revising the larifl, "It took six months for the experts to complete the study of the new tariff which was revised no less than four times before it was promulgated at the-beginning of this month for enforcement, Dr. Kung said.
Taking as examples the slight in-Jerease in the duty on machinery and some reductions on certain cotton goods, the Finance Minister said that the increase and reductions had been made in the new tariff entirely on basis of the principles of Customs [protection and reciprocal treatment. Some increase on. machinery had been made when it could be produced domestically, but there was no increase on machinery for the supply Jof which China must depend upon foreign countries.
connection with the reduction fon cotton goods, the Minister said that the reductions were made only fon certain printed cotton piece goods, very Intle of which was produced in China, Reciprocal Treatment Dr. Kung pointed out that, in a ing with foreign trade the' question reciprocal treatment would have to be considered. In view of the almost bankrupt state of China's rural districts, the Government, in order to encourage the exportation fof Chinese products, deemed it necessary to make reductions in the import duty on certain foreign goods with the hope that Chinese products would enjoy reciprocal treatment when they reached foreign ports.
The Minister said he was perfectly ready to receive merchants or their Jdelegates in regard to the new Customs tariff but requests for a Fevision of the new Customs tariff could be considered only when they were accompanied by proper Feasons.
Questioned about his impressions on his extensive tour of the northern Provinces, the Finance Minister declared his impressions were very }good during his tour of Santung, Chihli, Shans, ete, although the hot weather caused" him some dis Jeomfort. Owing to the unbearable weather and partly due to lack of Jquick means of communications in fo such" remote provinces as Kansu, and Ninghsia to investigate, put he ent delegates to those places. When the weather became a Uttle cooler, ne planned to go to South Unina' to make similar investigations, but, the Minister _emphasized, in the event of his South China visit being realized, it would be entirely of a nature of investigation and not of the nature of a Political. mission.
"Dr. Kung said the Finance Ministry's instructions for the abolition of exorbitant taxes was greatly wel-Jcomed by the people and in certain provinces were being enforced. During his visit to Shansi, he met Gen. Yen Hsi-shan, the governor of the province, whose attitude the Central Government continued to be one of loyalty.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.