Opposition to Hongkong Custom House Canton, Sept. 25.
The proposal to set up a Chinese: Customs station in Hongkong is mee!
with increasing opposition from.
While Nanking considers the move the only effective means of checking extensive smuggling, which has caused heavy decline in the South China Customs revenues, and while Chinese traders in Hongkong approve of the idea as being beneficial to their interests, business guilds in Canton Prediel serious effects on Canton trade and industries, Although so far no official statement has been made on the subject it is obvious that the Cantonese. thorities are opposed to the move.
The manifesto issued by the Canton City Chamber of Commerce opposing the proposal has been fol lowed by a similar circular telegram issued by the All-Kuangtung As®- clated Chamber of Commerce. Representing all commercial bodies in Kuangtung, the Associated Chamber holds that trade and industries In Canton "will suffer huge losses it! the scheme is put into effect." The telegram adds that if the proposed Customs station Is set up, "a cereal foreign territory will become prosper: ous at our expense."
The circular message goes on to say that the Chinese Maritime Customs has been in existence in Canton for many years and that if Customs duties are payable at Hongkong, this would entail much inconvenience to merchants here. Another reason for the objection is hat the Chinese Customs have to be fon the spot to study trade returns and general commercial. conditions, and if the Customs Administration were moved to Hongkong, trade inquiries would be handicapped. "We have everything to lose but nothing, to gain," the telegram declares.
It should be noted that the telok gram makes no mention of the smuggling question—the reason for Nanking's proposal—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.