CHINESE TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18525, 29 October 1925, Page 9

CHINESE TARIFF.

♦ —— POWERS' CONFERENCE. (6T CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCtATIOK.) PEKING, October 27. At the tariff conference an outline was given of. the Chinese proposals, which were as follows: — (1) The Powers to declare with respect to autonomy, that they agree to remove all existing tariff restrictions. (2) China agrees to abolish tho likin dues (internal transport-tax) and to introduce a national tariff not later than January Ist, 1929. (3) Previous to enforcement of a national tariff a surtax shall be levied of o per cent, on ordinary goods, 30 per cent, on wine and tobacco, and 20 per cent, on luxuries. (4) Collection of above surtaxes shall begin three months from the date of signature. Sir James Macleay, British Minister, stated that the British delegation was prepared! to discuss tariff autonomy either at this conference or later. Ho was convinced Anglo-Chinese iivterests were essentially the 6ame. [The Nine-Power Treaty, signed at "Washington provided for tho holding of a conference to discuss the Chinese tariff, the question of extra-territorial-ity and the abolition of the internal transport tax (likin). The holding of this conference has been delayed owing to the disordered state of China, but it is now realised) that no central government can establish permanent and effective authority while it is deprived of Customs revenue, and the provincial governors collect internal taxes for the I purpose of maintaining rival armies.]