§ 20. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the present position in China, particularly relating to the Customs?
§ 22. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make respecting the situation in China?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Arthur Henderson)With regard to the general situation in China, the only development of importance since my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark, Central, on the 23rd June, has been the occupation of Tsinan by the forces of the northern coalition. As regards the Customs, the Nanking Government have issued an order the effect of which is that the duties on the Tientsin trade must be paid to the Customs at Shanghai and other ports, Whether paid to the Customs at Tientsin or not. Efforts are being made to find some solution in the nature of a compromise between the rival Chinese parties.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman's information go to show that it is still possible to carry on British trade at all at Tientsin?
§ Mr. HENDERSONYes, I have not found anything to the contrary as yet.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that interference with the administration of the Customs Office is an impediment to our export trade, and will he take some steps to hurry things up in regard to it?
§ Mr. HENDERSONThis occurred only within the last few days, and I do not see what can be done to hurry things up. In some of these cases you can hurry up too much.