CHINA FOR THE CHINESE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13084, 25 January 1906, Page 5

CHINA FOR THE CHINESE.

NEW METHODS OF RAILWAY BUILDING. PROTEST AGAINST TAXATION". By Telegraph—Press Assoeiation.—Copyright. Pekin, January 23. The Merchants' Guild at Canton has resolved to strike owing to the Viceroy's scheme of taxation to raise revenue for the Hankow railway. The Viceroy of the province has threatened to decapitate the leaders of i the movement. Three Chinese gunboats at Shanghai have been summoned to Canton in connection with the trouble. The conduct of the Chinese in regard to the. Canton-Hankow -railway is typical of their ineptitude. In ISO2 they gave a concession to the can-China Development Company for the construction of the line, the distance being 620' miles. The company built the 15 males from Canton to Fachau, and opened the section to traffic. Last year / (he cry of "China for the Chinese",was raised, meetings were held afc Canton, and petitions in favour of the cancelling of the concession were sent to Pekin. The Throne was informed that the local capitalists were prepared to build the line. The concession was cancelled, and at once the company, backed by the United 'States Government, claimed compensation. In August last the Chinese Government paidi the company £1,350,000 for all its rights. The Viceroy of Canton, doubtless, considers that as the merchants, student and " local gently " of Canton got what they asked for, they should pay for it. It is probable the taxation is for recouping the Pekin Government the compensation money, not for building the railway. When meetings were held in Canton for the raising of the capital for the line none was forthcoming, but those present had tea, and were entertained by dancing girls.