Evening star., 1922-01-06
fective, actually produce only about
3 u per cent effective.


contains provisions relating to two
distinct phases Of tariff readjustment.
namely: those which may become
immediately applicable without TAX
ing treaty form requiring ratification
in a treaty and which will require
ratification. The first OF these re-
lates to the immediate revision Of the
present tariff to q basis OF per cent
effective and the second relates to
cial conference which will be charged
with taking measures looking to the
speedy abolition of likin and the
application of surtaxes together with
the realisation Of the principle of
uniformity in the rates of customs
or maritime.
Terms OF AEreement.
'The stages. therefore. Of applying
"ist. A committee Of revision will
meet forthwith at Shanghai to re-
wise the present tariff to basis of
per cent effective. This revision
after publication without awaiting
ratification. 1t will provide an addi-
tional revenue amounting to about
$17,090.000 silver.
II want to say. Of course. that the
figures that I give here re are. are SUB, sub,
all the members Of the committee
realize the impossibility OF getting
absolutely accurate figures. but they
are substantially correct.
I'd. Immediate steps will be taken
China and the powers charged with
the duty of preparing the way for
the speedy abolition Of the likin and
the bringing into effect of the. sur
taxes provided for in the treaties be-
tween China and Great Britain of
and Japan of 1903. The special con-
ference will likewise put into effect
surtax Of 21s per cent ad valorem.
which will secure additional revenue
amounting to approximately $27.O0O.-
900 silver. and special surtax on
luxuries, not exceeding 5 per cent ad
valorem. which will provide still
further revenue amounting to $2,167,-
900 silver.
Classification Of Revenues.
"The additional revenue from Gus.
toms duties provided in the present
agreement falls into four categories,
as follows:
'17;ooo:eoo 900 sn silver. er .n ~, ran. .,7
"3. Surtax not exceeding per cent
on luxuries. $2,167.000 silver.
-. Total additional revenue, $4e.-
10000 silver.
with the completio Of the work
Of the special conference carrying into
effect the abolition of the likin and
in the treaties with Great Britain.
Japan and the United States. the ad-
ditional revenue provided should
amount to s15S.Ooo.ooo silver.
The present tariff produced revenue
at the rate OF $S4.000.00O silver for
al revenue provided in the agree
ment, the total yield from customs
duties will amount to $110.1S7,00O sill
yer. Aside from these measures there
are important provisions in the
agreement relating to the future re-
visions of the tariff. with view to
maintaining it on correct basis OF
valuation. SO that it may produce
revenue at the effective rates to which
China is entitled. Following the i'm
mediate revision. there will be a Sec
ond revision in four years. and SUBJ
sequent revisions every seven years.
Heretofore there has been some
difficulty encountered In securing re-
visions regularly. The special con-
ference is charged with the duty Of
providing means whereby future de-
lays in revision may be avoided. Car
rying into effect tho general agree
ment already adopted by this con-
ference. there is a provision in the
present agreement for effective equal
ity Of treatment and Of opportunity.
This provision carries with 1t an i'm
portant recognition of the principle
of uniformity In the rates Of customs
duties levied on all frontiers. which
means the abolition Of discriminatory
practices in relation to goods import
ed by land.
Believes Injustice Removed.
Il feel that for the first time meas
ures have been taken which effectual-
ly remove the highly unjust and con-
troversial preferences with which tho
foreign trade of China has heretofore
been encumbered. Those nations
which have enjoyed the advantages of
preferential treatment across their
land frontiers have acted with COM
mendable foresight and altruism In
surrendering those minor advantages
in trade to the broader principles of
equality of treatment and the general
betterment of the conditions Of
friendly trade competition. This, to
my mind. Is a signal achievement not
only in the interest of China and of
each Of the treaty powers. but in the
interest Of trade in general and Of
peace itself
Before reading the report, I wish
to say that it is a report that comes
before the full committee with the
unanimous approval of the members
of the subcommittee.
The report reads as follows:
toms duties. having had under con-
sideration the proposals Of the
Chinese delegate for the restoration
OF tariff autonomy and the readjust-
ment OF maritime customs duties,
with q view to providing additional
Chinese government. reports that it
has reached the following agreement.
Text Of Report.
'The powers attending this confer
ence agree:
"T. That immediate steps be taken
through a special conference repre-
senting China and the powers which
accept this agreement to prepare the
and the fulfiliment of the other condi-
tions laid down in article VIII Of
the Anglo-Chinese commercial treaty
Of September s, 1902. and the cor
responding articles Of the United
States and Japanese treaties, with a
view to levying the surtaxes, as pro-
vided in those articles.
III. That the present tariff on i'm
portation shall be forthwith revised
and raised to q basis Of per cent
effective.
"That this revision shall be carried
out forthwith by a revision commit
tee at Shanghai on the general lines
Of the last revision. The revision
shall proceed as rapidly as possible
with a view to its completion within
four months from the conclusion of
the present conference, and the re-
vised :tarin shall become effective two
months after publication without
awaiting ratification.
I'll. That the interim provisions to