Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Thursday 4 August 1927, page 5


CHINESE TAXES Refusal to Pay British Resistance SHANGHAI, Aug. 2. On September 1 Nationalist surtaxes on practically all import's to China will be enforced. British commerce is seriously threatened, and the proposals are being strongly opposed. It is under-stood that the Government has instruct-ed merchant bodies, through their Con-suls, to refuse payment. The diplomatic body at Peking is han-dling the matter, and it is believed that, failing the co-operation of the Japan-ese and the Americans, resistance will take the form of independent action to protect British trade. It is understood that British vessels will be instructed that only at British wharves can they land goods without the payment of the illegal taxes, and that intcrierence by the Chinese will be forcibly resisted. The increase in some instances amounts to 57 per cent., and the lowest tax is 15 per cent. The increased tonnage dues of 50 per cent. have not been paid by foreign companies, a poliey of defiance being followed, I/