§ 8. Mr. MITCHELL - THOMSONasked whether His Majesty's Government have yet received from the Japanese Government any reply to their representations in regard to the proposed alteration of the Export Duty on rice from Korea; and, if so, what is the nature of such reply?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe reply of the Japanese Government to the representations referred to was to the effect that the sole intention of the Declaration made in August, 1910, maintaining the Corean tariff for ten years, was to avoid disturbing the economic interests of the several foreign Powers in Corea itself, and that there was no fear of prejudice to those interests resulting from the abolition of Export Duties. The Japanese Government added that they considered themselves properly entitled to do in the matter of Customs Duties subsequently to annexation what the Corean Government were able to do prior thereto. His Majesty's Government have maintained in principle their right of objection; but they have decided not to press it in the present case, in view of the fact that no important British interests are likely to suffer prejudice.