Another ballad about customs
The year 1863. and Yokohama. A Dutch merchant from a newly arrived ship passes through the customs. Among the declared objects is a cage with 1 (one) living tiger for the Kyoto animal. Customs officials say they do not have any tigers on the list of taxable goods, they cannot determine the tariff, which means they are not entitled to pass the animal. The Dutch is hysterical. First, bringing the tiger back is a terrible expense, secondly, the deal will collapse... And the customs officers were so busy that they didn’t even react to the hints of gratitude, unlimited within reasonable limits. The buyer desperately demanded the Dutch consul.
A consul appeared, an unwavering red guy in a penny, looked at the merchant, the customs officers, the tiger and said that the customs officers were right. They are not obliged to meet and make additions to the tariff policy. And since the ship has already departed from loading, the merchant has nothing left but to forget about that money and release the tiger, since it is impossible to make a profit from it.
Where are the freedoms? - Where are the freedoms? here here?
- And where? - asked the consul. - He can't let him out behind the gates, it will be the carriage into the country of non-customs goods. Only here.
He will eat us!
I don’t know, I don’t think he’s hungry. And it clearly struck him. But it does not matter. Property is sacred and my guardian can dispose of his own as he pleases. Under Japanese law, of course. But the law does not prohibit it, right? So, I think we have come to a completely legal and mutually pleasant solution. I have honor.
The tiger was instantly expropriated and moved peacefully to the old capital.