CHINA’S RIGHTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19731, 28 December 1926, Page 7

CHINA’S RIGHTS

THE BRmSH VIEW TEXT OF MEMORANDUM FULL KEVIEW OF TAXATION POLICY. SANCTITY OF TREATIES MOST IMPORTANT. By Telegraph—Per Press /.san. —Copyright, LONDON, Dec. 26. The proposals submitted by the British Charge d’Affaires at Shanghai to representatives of the Washington Treaty Powers set forth at length, the British Memorandum, the text of which has been issued.

It points out that difficulties liave arisen in negotiating with China owing to the waning influence of the Peking Government and tho growth of the powerful Nationalist Government of Canton. It proposes that the Powers declare their readiness to negotiate on treaty revision and all other outstanding questions as soon as the Chinese themselves have constituted a stable authority. In the meantime the Powers arc urged to pursue a constructive policy in harmony with tho spirit of the Washington Conference, but adapted to meet the present altered circumstances.

It is proposed that the idea that tho economic and political development of China can only be secured under foreign tutelage should be abandoned and a declaration made of China’s right to enjoy tariff automony as soon as she promulgates a new national tariff. Referring to the recent Cantonese seizure of tly? so-called Washington surtaxes by levying additional taxes on foreign trade, the Memorandum says: ü ßritish most reluctantly joined in the protest for the sake of maintaining the solidarity of the Powers, but she is not satisfied that this is a right policy.” The Memorandum strongly urges the Powers tn authorise an immediate levy of these surtaxes unconditionally throughout China for the benefit of the provinces in which they are actually collected, and presses for a reply on this point. It declares that the British Government attaches tho greatest importance to tho sanctity of treaties, but believes that this principle is best maintained by sympathetic adjustment of the treaty rights to the equitable claims of the Chinese. BELGIUM APPROVES SUPPORTS BRITISH VIEWS. LIBERAL TREATMENT URGED. BRUSSELS, Dee. 26. The Foreign Minister, M. Vandervelde. adhered to tho British proposals regarding surtaxes, also carrying out iu the most liberal spirit the recommendation of the extra-territoriality commission.

RESPONSIVE CHORD. STRUCK AT WASHINGTON. OFFICIAL STATEMENT EXPECTED Received December 27, 10.10 p.m. WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. The British Memorandum on China strike:’, a rexpensive chord in official circles here. The British communication has not yet been examined closely, but it is likely that an official expression of the American viewpoint both on the Customs and on the extra-terri-toriality question will be made at an earlv date.