Page
Further resolved; (1.) On native wines and spirits declared or Inbolled as belonging to any of the above divi- sions the appropriate daty therein laid down shall be paid except that on any native liquor how Svor declared or labelled funni by the Govers- ment Analyst or noh person as the Governor may from time to time appoint in that behalf to contin more alcohol than is permit ted in the division to which it is declared or tabeliod as holonging, there shall be paid the amount of sleghel found lias placed it: each appropriate duty of this division in which the division in sach case shall present native liquer of the limit of strength in stated and irrespective of any definition or description of such liquor, and on sny native wines and spirits pot declared or labelled as belonging to nuy division there shall be paid the duty appropriate to the division in which the amount of alcohol found by the Government Analyst or such person us the Governor may from time to time appoint on that behalf has placed it.
(2.) Stille in the New Territories (not includ ing Now Kowloon and the Island of Cheung Chau) shall be prohibited from sending liquor produced in these atille to Hongkong or to New Kowloon provided that any licences of a distil. lory who desires to sand such liquor to Hong kong or Now Kowloon may be granted a permit to do so, upon payment of the duties charged in Hongkong or Now Kowloon.
(3.) On intoxicating liquors, other than spirits of wi
wine, arrack and native wines and spirits, imported into, distilled, made or prepared in the Colony above proof strength there shall be paid an additional duty of 4 cents for every degres abovo proof in the case of brandy, 3 cents for ovory degroo above proof in the 3480 of whisky, and 2 ceata for every degree above proof in the case of any other liquor.
I
WAS
taxed to the
to
I think
shops. I
contevn în the
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 17TH, 1911.
difference between! the estimated sad have the proportion, the European bears
as an invariable tendency to increase and if if I was in a position to do so. the actual
than that ther to the Chinese of ons to 25. The sucunt impo ed on the troops as it increases so the top: the hou, and gallant member extremely must be wholesale smuggling. How it is which the Colonial Secretary told us would ularity of service in that colony decreases, rates the affluent passition emely over. carried on, I don't know, and I don't attempt to be derived from taxation bearing on the Sach action must automatically affect the ques in Hongkong. If he pays his debas by explain. I sangat possibly conceive how the Chinese population was 22 Inkhe, and tion of trooping at Home, the dificulties of which the end of the year he is very lucky. I would figures which were supplied to your Excellency one-twenty-fiftli of that is 830,000. Instead, at all times are considerable and periodically are remind the hon. and gallant uember that mee by officere who were thoroughly acquainted with the European population is to
a source of great anxiety to the nation. Also is not only increasing in Hongkong, but business tho
it the Colony-I cannot extent of 847,000, that is to say, reaghly, ive in considering the question there are many dif.is England as well. I do not zes in the present possibly believe tant although my estimate was times as much as the proportion to be derived ferences between the conditions of life in the Col-condition of our dances hore that we are possibly so optimistic that they could boso hope from the Chinese, Therefore, it cannot be any as it affects the civilian and as it affects the justified in going on anding this allowanon, lessly wrong. I think there is a serious leakage, said that this resolution beare hardly on the soldier or sailor. à civilian in the first place which, after all, so far as some of the members officials should be chiefly directed. The Ball of the hon. member who represents the Chamber as suits him. A soldier comes by order and leaves years ago in the belief that we were going to make and this is a point to which the attention of Chinese population. Inest pass to the remarks comes to the Colony and stays here or leaves it are concerned, was gradgingly agreed to tre we scoopted very reluctantly. It was most of Commerce. He alluded first of all to the grant it by ordor also. Whatever the Colony derives a larger suss than we have,
The fact that a alcohol there-distasteful to the whole Colony. We only did of the Imperial Government to make good the from taration such as improvement of works, soldier has to pay au income tax when serv ng it because we believed that it was absolutoly loss incurred by the closing of the opium dirons. improvombat of administration and an increase his country obrond is a question which hardly necessary to raise now revenue and that this Whether that gratt is a generous one or other in all the conveniences of life, the civilian who comes within our parvie
If the im. particular tax on the community would be wise is a matter for individual opinion of the establishes himself in his trade er industry in porial Government lika to tax their reasonable on and would have the desired several members of this Commeil. As a matter that Colony if he suffers from that taxation sorvants iti
of fact it is about half the loss which we have at least he has a strong direct personal interest and
iu u to thom to result. The desired result, a suficienter must incurred, and I must repeat what I said before in is the progress of the Colony in which The hou. uud gallant member made rather a do so, СТА of the conditions of service. has failed as. I cannot but believe that there be some alarming stmount of leakage, and I can the Council that the fiuncial-diabsbility will be is interested. The soldier on the contrary is point, a good deal of a point, when bretot a not bring myself to bolove that the estims' e put the Colony is suffering at the present time is
bird of passage and has nose of that direct that if this rebate
Was not allowed the before us two years ago could be so for wrong. only die in a small proportion to the loss on personal interent. His interest in any colony msa who had hitherto used the service With regard to the wilitary rebate, that was a opium. It is chiefly incurred by the largo is merely the general imperial interest point to which unofficial members directed four expense for the building of the Kowloon rail which we all have These, I think, aro at where, and instead of trinting good whole- contoons would be encouraged to go elso- Excellency's attention when the Bill war under way. The chief point with which the hon. men least some of the reasons which influence some boor and stout would be arooaragol discussion. We considored it a very grout ber dealt was that the revenue which it was sa
soven out of eight colonies as far as I to drink spirits. In the end they would dissi- hardship that we should have to tax ourselves ticipated would have been derived from liquor have been able to ascertain in deciding as to pato goverally by going with a very objectionable form of taxation to ought to have been realized if it had not been their course of action with regard to taxation. think I am right in saying that rear meet the loss that was forced upon us.. for a very large amount of wholesale smuggling. In the particular caso of the Colony of Hong Aval
and military We realise that when we got this extra rovenuto Gintlemen, I can only remind you of kong there is another point. The civil Colony is ront free. It is on Government we have to pay one-fifth of it for the military the circumstances in which the Liquors members of the community pay no income premies and ontrolled by commissione contribution, payment which we consider Ordinence introduced. The strongest tax, but they pay a colonial house-tax. The and non-commissioned officera and others excessive The senior unofficial member spoke Possible expressions were used by unofficial offers of His Majesty's forces on the who are told off and who, if they get y of the tariff in detail. Personally I moro or members with regard to the way in contrary pay their whole income tax while thing at all, only receive a small extra. The less accept this tariff. I have an open mind on which oustoms examinations were to be conduct located in the Colony and, further, unless they consequenga is that all the facilities the Navy the subject, and if reasonable argument is ed, and the Government pledged itself to make are provided with Government quarters, and Army have of solling cheap wholesome liquor brought forward to show that it is inegalt those examinations as little onerous as possible. pay a solouin! house-tax as well. India will still enable the men to get cheapes liquor be in its provisions, I am perfectly will. But apart from that matter, there is the fact has been cited as a procedent, but there that they can get outside. Another point which ing to cast my vote in favour of its rovision. that when you have ín 2 froo port are uuay - reasone which make it an was pressed upon us by, I think, Colonel Darling, As a matter of I ct, as tho ense now duty од one Bfugle item You cannot unfair precedent to compare with Hongkong. the then Officer Commanding, was that even if stands, I think it is correct. The senior have a thoroughly efficient customs serviss In the first plass India pays the troops. This this robate was granted, it was not to be used The COLONIAL TREABULSR 8000uded. Hon. Dr. Ho Ex-Though not opposed to unofficial member complained that an undue unless you devote 60 large a propor Colony does not. In India as long as the soldier for the reduction of the price of liquor in thu ros-lution in tots there are some items which proportion of the increase of the covenis tion of the tax to that service as to make it is affected the prica of bear in the canteen is the the canteens. I think, therefore, that that press very harshly on a very large section of the which it was hoped would be obtained in not worth while. If smuggling does saist, and same for an imperial pintas it is at Home. That particular argument of the bar, that that poorer classes of the Chinese cotamanity, and the event of the tariff being passed would fall if the Government were to take such measures is not the case in Hongkong. Here ho pays falls to the ground. I think, Sir. in view fed it my duty, unless they are altered, to oppose apon the Chinese, I would remind the hou. as would justify it in feeling it had takon ubaciute half as much again, and if the rebate is abolished of our financial position, and in view of the resolution. We have just heard from the and learned gentleman that the population precautions against any form of amuggling, the he will pay between 3d and 4d. As regards the advantage which the canteens still Colonial Secretary that the increase on Euro- of this Colony in something like one foreigner cost of collection would be, I fancy, at lasat offers the difference in emoluments in India and posses over public-heases, that even if this pean wine only amounts to about $40,000 a year, to 30 Chinese. Therefore, it dogs not double. For my own part, I don't think there in the Colcay is so marked that it is impossible to rebate is withdrawn it will be inflicting no whereas on native wines and spirits the increase seem to ine that the difference between is at present any very great amount of smuggl compare the two places. In every rank, except hardship, and it is not likely to bring the mon of comes up to 24 lakhs of dollars. That is to say!
the twe AMA stated by the Coloni-ing, but there are certain directions in which that of a subaltern. they are much better paid His Majesty's forces to trouble by encouraging roughly, six times as much. To me, Sigital Secretary boats the interpretation put after a great deal of consideration of this ques in India thin in the Colonies. If the robate be them to go to the lower grogshops of the Colony. sears to be un extremely unjust and unfair upon it by the hon. mombor (Dr, Ho Kai). tion I believe some leakage bus occurred. We discontinuo, the price will be raised to some- think ton case has not been made out, and I arrangement, and unless the figures are Another point which I think would be admitted are taking steps and as measures will thing like 3d a pint in the canteens, and the sincovely hope that this rebate will not be altored I aiz afraid myself and my colleague by hon. members if they locked more carefully stop those leakages. Finally there is the point now exists for the soldier to frequent his
be brought before the Council in due course to result of this will be that the inducement which continued. opposite will litre to oppose the resolution is that the tariff is based on sub-section a dea'ing about the urgency of this motion. on behalf of the Chinese population, with the question of naive wines or liquors
The cantom in preference to outside establish. Take the item ON native
wines and that contain not more than 25 per cent senior anoficial member said we were in- mouts will disappear to a very large ex- Liquors known as lin pan and shening ching of alchol by weight T think it troducing a very bad precedent, and tent. In aantoons no spirita aro sold, and These are consumed by the goolie class. The admitted that no foreigner would which was not justilled by any grounds of in other establishments where the soldier better cluse with few exceptions consume a possibly
dream of drinking liquer urgency which have been shown. I would re-may, mostead of to his canteen, spirits containing 25 per cent of alcohol, and I mind the hea. member that an almost a perfectly certain that the Chinese, who are precisely similar course was taken when the oxtromely abstemiens, would water this down Liquor Bill was introduced in 1909. We sat very considerably. "Therefore, because the very late in the Council becuase the matter figures are based upon 25 per cent, of alcohol was of great urgency and paused the Bill, it does not show that the Chinese are overtaxed leaving doubtful questions which might arise in proportion, Sub-section b shows the alcoholio for future discussion. Both members who porcentage at 35, sub-section eat, and followed the senior unofficial member sup- sub-section at 50 to 55, so I think the ported him in the desire that the matter senior unofficial member on reflection will should not be pressed to a conclusion to
that the proportion falling apon day. I think they are not clearly understood. Chinose as opposed to the foreigner is that it is not only a matter of the liquor which not excessive. I quite appreciate the arga- may be imported into the Colony between this mont put forward by the hon. Colonial Secre- date and the date of the resolution being finally tary that it is advisable to bring the alteration accepted, but a question of all liquor in stool possible in order to prevent the rushing in of passed to-day the wins merchants will only not think it will be a serious loss to the Govern. whole of their holdings, and the difference liquor before the new duties Lake effect, but I do pay duties at the present rates on the mout to wk them to postpone the resolution for would be
to tho revenue. I could be rushed in during that time would be very should pass this resolution today, but at the at least a week, bedanes the amount of liquor that would propose, gentlemen, therefore, that we small and would he soon worked off. Do you next meeting of Council it will be open to suppose for a moment that it pays a raerchant to any unofficial member to bring forward say rush in liquor which means cost of warehousing, amendment to the resolution be may desire. In fire insuranos and many other charges It cannot the meantime the resolution will be operative possibly pay a wine merchant to holda large stock from to-day, so that it will not be worth of liquor for any extent of time. I hope, there while any holder of liquor rising it out of fore, Sir, that this resolution will not be passed boul to pay duty at the prosent rates and so and not become law at this meeting until the ende what should naturally come to the revenue
noticial members and the community have of the Colony. had an opportunity of considering the alters- tions and expressing their views on the sub- jest at a later meeting.
DDA
While
i
much better class of wine and a great number of Chinese now take European wines, so that the latter could bear a higher proportion of the new daty and would willingly do so. For the lower class Chinose it seems to me exorbitant that they should be asked to pay 30 cents per gallon. Now. Sir, I think in toxing the people we should remember to tax them in such a way as to make them bear a share in pro portion to their means, and it seems to me that while beer Lears a duty of 24 conts Chiuso wine should not pay anything like 30 cente per gallon. No doubt it is necessary, to raise additional revenue, and if the Gorerament ara going to raise it by incress of the Ordinance into effect as promptly as in the Colony, because if this resolution is not had intended to speak in support of this ro- the samo poriod new married quarters have been
this kind.
ing the duty on liquor I hope they will get a better scale than the present one. I had no idea me, and I had not the slightest chance of obtain tha: this was coming on. It was a surprise to ing any in1ormation about the details of the to-day. We wout one or two days to discuss it resolution. I don't think we can rush it though I quite appreciate the point raised by the Colonial Secretary, but at the same time I con- sider it is very bad to establish a precedent of The Hon. Mr. HEWEIT-Your Excelleney, in bringing forward this resolution now before the Council the hon. Colonial Secretary referred to many points relating to the general daanem of the Colony; therefore I presume I am also entitled to refer to them, In the first place, I say that half a foaf is better than no bread. We got £9,000 for the first year, £12,000 for the second, and possibly by the gracions goodwill of Hie Ma jesty's Ministers at Home we may get £12,000 for the third year
(
loss
of
I
INTIMATIONS
IN COUNTLESS
HOMES
THEY USE
LOTUS COFFEE.
It has been proved by experience
that no other Coffee equals it for Delicious Natural Flavour and Invigorating Properties.
LOTUS BRAND
COFFEE
is unequalled for High Quality, Exquisito Flavour and Economy
in Use.
OBTAINABLE EVERYWHERE.
H. RUTTONJEE
& SON,
military forces of this SURVEYING
що
the
AND
[50
SCIENTIFIC
INSTRUMENTS
BY.
W.F.STANLEY & CO.
AND
SON.
ALWAYS
Hon. Mr. POLLO0K-YourExcellency, Ivory much regret that I also wust oppose the resolu tion which has been proposed by his Excellousy the General Ofleer Commending. The General referred in his speech to the increased conven are seld. The fact of his frequenting these to life in the Colony, and in the Inst fow WINE & PROVISION MERCHANTS. places may not prove desirable,
minates I have jotted down on paper some of the it is obviously perzuiasible for Hongkong or any by the officers and men in the troops of this increased conveniences which are enjoyed now other colony to discontinue the rebate they Colony which were not enjoyed by them some grant to the troops I submit that it is a matter for consideration whether this Colony should teen years ago, and Sir, it is really ex- hase its action on the sole, as far as I enn neommodation and in what I might call traordinary, to see what an enormous increase in see, precedent of Bermadu, or
whether it should" base that action
the general conveniences of living is 011
enjoyed precedent
now by the of sevon out
eight Colony as compared with fifteen years ago. other colonies which I have onumerated bafore, I therefore submit that it would be During that time, Sir, the Mount Austin bur desirable that the rebate granted during 1910 racks, which was formerly a hotel at the Peak, should be continned during 1911.
has been acquired by the military authorities as Hop. Mr. KESWICK-Your Excellency, I an additional barracks for the troops. Daring. solution, bai sfter the way in which the with the vid marriel quarters. During the built in a very improved position as compared the use before you there is nothing lalt for me pital has been completed in the Borran General Offer Commending the Troops has pat
same period, again, a very ins military hos to say. He has put every argument forward for Read, a hospital which I think rather pats from the extr. daty, and it only occurs to me to this Colony. (Applause.) In the same period the naval and military canteens being oxempted
10 Blume all the civilian hospitals in suggest to you, Sir, that this would be an oppo-Handquarters offices have been removed to site time to allow the Navy and Army this cou cession because the Government is trying to deal & much more convenient position, and the old with the whole liquor question in its entirety. Headquarters offices, which were. by no means They are trying to do away with the shops and convenient either in site or in goral arrange. disreputable incidents, a foot which emphasises ment, have been abandoned. Than during the pulut made by his Excellency the the same period a considerable sum of money General, wo
has boon exponded by this Colony which is on BRIA that the mer were tirely for likely to go from their canteens to places health of the Colony in the training of the benefit of the general The ATTORNEY-GENERAL--If I may add i
not 40 desirable. There is no use ip single word to whst your Excellenes has said, my repeating all the arguments which are been nallabs on the northern slopes of the, my hon. friend opposita referred to the preced put before you. I will morely say that I am bo
hills of the island. "Another point, sir, to Hon. Mr. OSBORNE➡Sir, I merely wish eat. I would like to call his attention to the fact entirely in accord with the resolution and trust bo mentioned which bears on the question to express my concurrence in what has fallen, that the notion of the Government is folloring that the other unofficial ineinbers will also voto Cab in Queen's Road and the opening of recreation is the opening of the Soldiers' from the lips of the loa member who closely on Home precedent. It is perfectly well for it. represents the Chamber of Commerce.
of the Soldiers and Sailors' Home in Arsenal known when the budget is introduced at Home all Hon. Mr. HEWITT-Your Excellency, we HIS EXCELLENCY-It is promised in the congratulate the Government upon the nooree telegram which I read-to-the-Council at the which has been observed in the introduc fatal day. The course the Governmez is taking member for the continuance of this rebate to proved conditions aro for the troops serving in
sorts of contrivances are use: by trudes likbly have all listoned with the greatest possible street. I think those are the points, Sir. E. R. WATTS & to be hit in order to wako preparation for the attention to the ples made by the hon, and gallant last few minutes as showing how very im
which have occurred last meeting.
tion of this monenre. Like the hon. senier Hon Mr. HEWETT-All right, Sir, £13,000 official member, it has come upon us
on, this occasion follows the Hone precedout, His Majesty's Services in Hongkong, and I this Colony as compared with only ifteen years for three years, in my opinion is altogether all as a big surprise. I admit the necessity of which provides for the collection of duties on
and perfectly certain that we all sympathize inadequate for the very heavy dancing loss it from the Government's woint of view, but I the day following the introduction of the with the object which he has at age, and, Sir, I think that we civilians certainly which has been forced upon this Colony through do not admit that the loss of revenue which the
Badget.
esanot claim to have progressed in anything heart, but, Sir. we have the action of the Home Gevarsment.
tolike the same way. It Colonial Socrotary says will ensue if this
HIS EXCELLANCY-The resolution can be look at it from a differout point of view,
got
We have constracted is all very well to say that our opiam dirans zuensure is not rushed through the. Council adoptod as it stands and the question in regard will more or less deal with the arguments of the were working from year to your on to-day will be sufficiently serious to spring this to Chinese liquor can be raised as an amend hon, and gallant member as he put them for three years' licence. Consequently the Imperial additional buries upon the community without ment.at our next meeting.
ward. I will first say that the fact that various Government in ordering us to adopt a certain notice. I therefore regret that I cannot support The vote was taken with the following colonies make grants and do not make grants form of policy which I think is very unsound; the motios..
Offico. is, with all due deference, not quite the point wo and others who have lived for many years on the HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, I will en
Ayes-Hon Mr. Keswick, Hon. Mr. Love to consider, Any question of this sort is spol and who know a great deal more of the deavour to deal with the various objections to this Pollock, Captain Superintendent of Police, simply a question of ne te qua siverie extra, needs of Hongkong then His Majesty'e Govern-resolution seriatim as they have beau pnt for the Registrer, General, the Drine, the founty which is my own family motto, and which is
Registrar-General, Director Public ment also agree with me, that it sward. First, to take the point raised by the General, the Colonial Secretary, the General appears to me that here we are not to ba enegur altogether inadequate. We are permanently senior unofficial member. Ho complains doprived of largo proportion of that the tax which is imposed on liquor.
Officer Commanding.
aged to go out of what we consider our proper through the idiosyncra-consumed by the lorest class of
Noos-Hon. Mr. Osborne, Hon, Mr. Hewett, line of country simply because somebody goes cies of certain people at Home. That the policy Chinese is in BXOBER of that imposed Hon. Mr. Woi Yak, Hon. De Ho Kai.
in a different fashion. The question before us which has been adopted will redues the consump on the lowest class of those who consums
HIS EXCELLENCY-The Ayes have it.
-and it is a very serious problem is that can only say if that would to the effect it is nu tion of opium in the Colony is very doubtful. Europene beer and stout. I have two points in We realise that the forcible closing of the that connection
NAVAL AND MILITARY LIQUOR
you Lave to balance your books at the effect which certainly should not follow, having regard to the provisions of Ordinance 46 of bring to the notice of the
end of the year, and for * good many 1901, which it is proposed to replace by Clauso divans has encouraged filicit smoking and hos Comell. One is, so far as I understand, and
REBATE.
years, and being met by a heavily increas 44 of this Bill. That Ordinance expressly abnormally added to the work of the polics, and speak enbject to correction, that the co- Hrs EXCELLENCY
GENERAL ing orpouditare, we have to consider how, provides that no part of the robate shall the
possibility that they had formerly of keeping sumption of samsht and that glass of liquor is Your Excellency, in moving the resola by look or by crook, we achit Bill was bo used for the purpose of relveing the under control the lower, and more particularly not what I might will part of a meal of the tion which stands in my name, viz., "That our revenue
At the time this Bill was prices of liquor in any canteen. It is quite the criminal, section of the Colony bse vanished. lower class: Chinos, whereas beer and stout the annual payment of an import allowance frat passed, there was very great difference obrions whether there is a The question is a very important one, and see-0ay be said to be part of the diet of soldiers to the Naval and blilitary Authorities made per- of opinion as to whether the rebate should be as the hon. member representing the Cham
mahata or not, ing this is a sort of Alsatia, criminals can dis- appear over the border aud it in vory difficult and by that section of the population who con- missive by Clauso 44 (1) of the Liquors Con-made in the first place, but in view of the ex-ber of Commerce pointed out, that the mili
sume that kind of liquor
solidation Ordinance, 1910, be continued for tremely optimistic figures put before us we Hon. Dr. Ho Kai-That is a mistake, Sir. the year 1911-1912," I desire to submit thought we certainly could afford to be generossary and aaral canleens will always have Samshu is part of the mani of tower class Chi- some points for consideration: In the first I maintain now that we cannot possibly sgren torous advantage over the ordinary nese. I think my colleague will bear me out?
place, if we omit South and North China, give this concession, which amounts to something public-kase In this Colony because those Hon. Mr. WEI YURThat is true.
canteens are rent free. Thoy-have not such are only ten stations where British like a quarterof the total amount collected. The heavy expenses in management, and nothing HIS EXCELLENCY-I accept the correction. In troops are located. Of these ten two, namely, hon, and galbut member alluded to the necessity apon us by policy to which most of connuation with that tax I was also going to say Gibraltar and Malta, are in a category aport for the presence of an imperial garrison here. Wat be paid in respect of any goodwill. As us objected or would have objected. The that I fad from the scale which is adopted in for Gibralter is absolutely a free port and admit the necessity and we are only the state in these matters that in the use of a WHY GO TO
everybody knows who has any experience question of the military contribution I will the Straits Settlements that the lowest tax on Malta 12 not touch upon, beyond reminding your Exe all liquors less than forty per cent, proof spirit military is virtually so.
us affects
thand that they are here. Woonjoy their society ordinary public honge the landlord expects to As regards the other and also such protection as we may derive from lenay that on former occasions I have
spoken in the strongest possible maurier against the undue cants as against the Straits Settlements tax of located, five of them, South Africa, Coglou, that the presence of the forces bere is an
is one dollar. We are only imposing a tax of 24 eight colonies in which Eritish troops are their presence in the event of war, but I maintain have to pay a fairly high roat and the public hus to pay a considerably higher price for its liquors proportion of our revenite nanexed by the one dollar. I may say, gentlemen, that our taxes Cyprus, Juinaics and Mauritius, grant either cutirely insperial question, and it would not take obtained in such houses. Those conditions aro Home Government for the Imperial military on native wines and spirits in all their differ rebato or D considerable allowance in datance of the Colony. The question has been
so very musk for Hongkong to be abandoned in always in favour of the naval and military
forces in the Colony NO far ont grades Ive hitherto been, so far as I kuar, lion thereof to the troops. One of them, the interests of the Empito at large. That is ! fought cut by this Council and by the somewhere about one-eighth to one-tenth the Sierra Leone, allows free import of liquor outside the question nitogether. The hon, and gaida the prices
which they cau offord Chamber of Commerce for the last fifty amount, charged in the Straits. It cannot formation from an officer who has served there for the prirats soldiers more particularly on ac, to have to oppose this resolution, feel bound to to retail their intoxicating for the troops. One I speak from gallant member put forward a very strong plea Iquora. I therefore, Sir, although years, and I still consider we are unjustly therefore be said that 18 have been trested by the Imperial Government. Coming unreasonably hard on the Chinese population. Singapore, allows the forces to get their liquor count of their increased expenses. We all incur do so. We know that at the present moment the now to the question of difference between On the other hand, if the Council think from bond on receipts without the Imposition of increased expenses here. It is perfectly true actual and estimated revenus derived from it advisable to alter that one class and to any tax. One remains alone, that is: Beranda, liat may years ago civilians came out here and Colony is passing through a period of very great liquor, if I remember rightly your Excelleney make the rate leviable on Chinese liquors the which colony taxes the troops liquor and after a time retired with large fortunes. I per continue the rebate, I think, Sir, hough has BECAUSE
financial stress, Bad, much as wa should like to speaking two years ago on the esti unds, same as on European liquors, 24 cents, the Gov grants no robato. Pans seven out of these sonally know of such cases, but those days been said at this meeting and recent meetings to which had no doubt been very carefully ernment is prepared to concede that point. I colonies roognise the undesirability of have gone. Now increased taxation and, show me that it is a matter which we cannot prepared by responsible officers, put it some wenld like to leave it to the discretion of the taxing the forces for the purpose of zais increased where between $600,000 or $700,000: I myself, Council. The next which the hou, member raised ing colonial revonne. Now there must be
prossing upon having made careful inquiries from the leading was that taxation as a whole falls very heavily some canse, why so large, à proportion of The hon. member sail the soldier came out by Co
and Hongkong is no exception, ord, much as we should wish to make the wine merchants and Chinese engaged in
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Your Ex- upon the Chinese community as spart from these colonies have come to o decision not wine trade, considered that after the first the European community. I do not touch the to tax the forces, aut it seems to me that suck and go off at any moment that he wished a few moments in order to refer to one or two
orders, but the civilian could pack up his grips
vollenes, I will detain the Council only Fear had passed, that is to say, after the question as to whether the tax imposed re these causes may be sought partly in the The lon, and gallant member flicked points which have been made. The first is that stooks rushed in ware worked off, that places to some extent the loss incurred by fact certainly in the second year we should get the opin policy, and the feat that the coronus for that the troops are sent to a colony me on the raw when he made that remark. the resolution in the form in which it is that
its defence and for the security of its have boon here thirty years and can- nesrer one million than three-quarters of a of the former we largely derived from
mitted by the General Officer Commanding is not trado, partly from the fact that the colony which not go home. I am out here herause I am million dollara." As a matter of fact the figures the Chinese. If we assume the population imposes taxation on His Majesty's forces there earning my bread and butter. We have got strictly speaking in order. The resolution reads: OPTHALING show that we only get about a third of that sums, of Hongkons, exclusive of the New Terr by causes the forces at that time serving in the to do our duty. Much as I lova Hongkong.
"Thist the annum payment of an import al- I cannot bring myself to believe that there tories, is, any, 300,000, of which the Baroposa Colony to serve there for less emoluments than would gladly leave the East to-morrow or
lowance to the Naval and Military Authorities Buy other excuse for the enormous population is somewhere about 12,000, we their predecessors did. Taxation once imposed rather on Saturday by the next English mail
(Continued on page 7.)
our
revenue
ย
to trace them., I maintain that this com- paratively trivial sum thrown as by the Imperial Government does not by any man- ner of means compensate us for the loss, financial and otherwics, which has been forced
is
result:
there
far
THE
expenditure are
I
AS
railway which has been a very expensive thing for the ratepayers of the Colony, and so are trying hard at the prosent moment to complete the Law Cearts and the new Post KEPT IN STOCK
I am afraid, Sir, that the military authorities, ao far overy convenience example indeed in the progress made during conoomed, have set 14 a very good the last few yours. Another point which is CHS. J. GAUPP the Troops referred to was the suggestion that Excellency the General Officer Commanding if this rebate was not continued the price of liquors in the canteen would go up. Well, Sir, I
£8
& CO.,
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.
[256
N. LAZARUS
FOR YOUR GLASSES?
You will receive Fair Treat
ment.
ACareful and Intelligent
Exomination.
We have s Sound Optical Reason behind every Lens,
N. LAZARUS,
OPTICIAN, D'AGUILAR ST., HONGKONG
CORNER
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