CHINA'S OPEN DOOR

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 5

CHINA'S OPEN DOOR

DEFINING THE POLICY.

HIGHER TABTFF NEEDED.

under, oohtsol or powers. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, November 25. An official communique issued by the secretariat of the Washington Conference etatee:—"The Far Eastern.' Committee discussed the Chinese customs revenue to-day. The Chinese delegate, Dr. Wellington Koo, made a long explanation, emphasising that China did not desire to interfere with the present adminietru-tioii of the maritime customs or with the devotion of the proceeds of the euetonm revenue to the liquidaj tion of foreign loans. j He reviewed historically the circumstances of the imposition of the .tariff I since 1842 with a view to showing that the increased prices of commodities rendered justifiable a revision of the tariff upwards. He maintained that the pre- ! sent yield on the 5 per cent ad valorem tariff was practically only equivalent to the yield of a 3A per cent tariff on the basis of former values. He proposed that the right should be restored to China to fix differential import tariff rates, but suggested that full tariff autonomy be restored only after a certain period to be fixed. In the meantime China should be alloowed to imp<;s<; :i maximum rate with full freedom within that maximum. The present financial conditions of tuo OninesG Government retiuircci immediate relief. Therefore, it proposed that from January 1 next the import tariff be raised to 121 per cent. Dr. Koo contended: — Firstly, that the existing customs regime in China constitute an infringement of Chinese sovereign rights to fix tariff rates at her discretion. Secondly, that it deprives China of power to make reciprocal tariff arrangements with foreign Powers us Chinese goods imported into foreign countries pay maximum duties, whereas all foreign goods imported into China pay only 5 per cent. Thirdly, that China's economic development is seriously impeded thereby. Fourthly, that a uniform tariff rate without differentiation does not take into account the economic needs of the Chinese people. Fifthly, that serious loss of revenue is occasioned by the comparatively insignificant return from the present tariff. After a general discussion thp subject was transferred to the sub-committee appointed yesterday under the chairmanship of Mr. O. \V. Underwood. Sir Robert Borden represented the British Empire. It is nemi-officiallv explained that the "open door -, means that pqunl opportunity olinl! be given to all foreign enterprise in such kinds of development as China may throw open to foreigners, also a general opening up of China to foreign enterprise: that the same tariff be applied to the goods of nil nations entering China by sea or land: and that the internal tax called the "likin -, be abolished. The arrangement to which tho Far Eastern Committee ha* agreed implies tium and an all-railway consortium whereby nil existing railway concessions shall be pooled, equal treatment be given to traders nnd passongerp of all nations on the railways and a railways tribunal be appointed to examine complaints. GOVERNMENT'S STABILITY. QUESTIONED 3Y FRANCE. (tleccivc*] I'J."U p.m.! WASHINGTON, November 2i. The statement is dofinituly mnde in several sources that the French delejmtion at yestorxlay'fi meeting of the Kar Eastern ' committee questioned the credentials of the Chinese delegation to speak with the authority of the whole of China. The Chinese replied that they represented the only government recognised by the Powers, but the incident reVeolK one of the main complexities of the Chinese problem. The French attitude can be explained becniisp the South China Ciovcrnmcnt, with borders marching with Indo-China is more closely associated with France's interests. At the iMilhi! time it is increasingly plain that the Chinese delegation, while vigorously presenting its'. case, cannot pledge tlio whole country to accept the results. Consequently lifter Mr. Underwood's committrec clears up the mysteries of Chinese finance, possibly the next, step will be k> determine the scope and stability of the Pekin Government. - Tt is regarded us probable that the Powers ■will insist On the ma-i ntomince of the consortium dealing with Ohma'e fiscal affaire. The Italian delegation yesterday ranged themselves with other nations desiring partie.iipa4.ion. taking the view that the addition of Italy might remove some Chinese abjections to the plan. The presumption is that the provisions of the. consortium will be adapted without important modifications. There is every sign that the controversial stages of the deliberations will soon be reached. Already the diinese and Japanese are at variance in their eta.teinents of what will fee brought up. The s»y that past events and .acts will be naturally discussed, if. Hanihara. who is taking Baron Khidehara's .place in bhe delegation, says that accomplished filets eilch as Japan's ceded rights in Manchuria, cannot ibe taken up without the consent 'of all the delegations, tho implication being that there a.re some points whicli 'Japan will not agree to discuss.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

POWER OF THE REPUBLIC. FOREIGN INFLUENCE. (Received 32.80 p.nU LONDON, November 24. 'Die Conference will not entirely unshackle China from foreign influence. The Chinese are not entirely pleased at nome of the principles enunciated by the Boot resolutions, but it is evident that J the Republican Government, whatever I itii protestations, \a unable to enforce its i wilTor to commit a large part of inland I China. For example, while the delegaj tion declarcn it favours abolition of the "likin," this ig not likely to be effected lin the face of the opposition of the Tuchtins, for wlitm it is a big source of revenue. On the other hand, several Powers consider that the ' , !ikin" should be abolished if the tariff is raised.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)