Evening star., 1921-11-24

was effected. The tariff Of 1918 is in
force and yields only 81 per cent.
Proposed to Restore Right.
Mr. hoo proposed to restore to
China the right to fix and to diff
ferentiate the import tariff rates, but
as 1t appeared hardly possible to
establish q new regime all at once, he
said that full autonomy should be re-:
stored e ss sseaaa cnaa unes aasr hs
while China would impose a max
im6m rate and would like to enjoy
and have full freedom within that
maximum. such as the right Of DIFF.
ferentiation among the different
classes. of commodities. But as the
Chinese government was such as to
require some immediate relief. it was
proposed that on and after. January
1. 1922, the Chinese import tariff be
raised to 12h per cent. as 1t was
stipulated for in the treaty with the
United States, Great Britain ane
Japan. .
"Among the reasons he alleged in
support of the proposals Of the
Chinese delegation. the following Is
the gist:
. Il. The existing customs regime In
China constitutes an infringement OF
China's sovereign right to fix the
"2. 1t deprives China Of the power
to make reciprocity ARRANGEMENTS
with the foreign powers. While all
foreign goods imported into China
pay only 5 per cent, Chinese goods
exported to foreign countries have
to pay duties of maximum rate.
Examples were given to shoW this
lack of reciprocity.
"3. 1t constitutes a serious impede
ment upon the economic development
of China.
Only One Uniform Rate.
-. AS the system now stands there
is molly one uniform rate and no diff
ferentiation of rates. The disadvsn-
tage is obvious, because 1t does not
take into account the economic and
social needs Of the Chinese people,
metals. for which China would like
to impose a tariff rate even lower
than the per cent. For Injuries.
such as cigars and cigarettes they
ought to pay heavy tax. perhaps, in
order to prevent their Injurious ct,
habits Of the people. As 1t stands.
therefore, the Chinese tariff Is not
scientific at all.
SO. The present tariff. has occasion
ed serious loss of revenue upon the
customs duties is an important one in
the budget of nearly all countries:
for instance. Great Britain raises IL
per cent of its revenue from customs
duties: France. Is per cent, and the
United States. IS per cent before the
world war. but the customs revenue
in the Chinese budget as it now
stands becomes a comparatively In
significant factor.
"6. The present regime makes 1T ex-
ceedingly difficult for the Chinese
government to ask for a revision. as
It was shown In the past experiences
in 1912 and 1918.
Revenue Hardly Adequate.
az. Even If the effective per cent
should be levied. the revenue resulting
to meet the requirements Of the Chinese
government, as the government has
many functions to perform in matters
of modern education, sanitation and
public utilities, etc."
After general discussion of the Gus
toms tariff question. this subject was
sent to the subcommittee agreed upon
at the meeting held Tuesday, the MEM
bers of which were announcer to Be as
follows:
Chairman-Senator Underwood, United
States OF America.
Belgium--Baron de Cartier; M. Cat
tier, alternate.
British empire-Sir Robert Borden; !;
Mr.. Lampson, alternate
China-Dr. Wellinapn koo.
France-M SarrauG
ItaIy-Senator Alberthi; Signor Vim
cenzo Fileti, alternate.
Japan-Mr. Hanihars.
Observation-Disclosures Beelaerts Won
Blokland.
Portugal-Capt. Ernesto Vasconcellos.
The meeting of ths full committee on
Pacific and far EASTERN questions na-
journed until tomorrow morning at
IL o'clock. The. subcommittee will
meet upon the clll of Senator Under
,,~ol oh