Page
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 26ru, 1917.
CORRESPONDENCE. HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
WAR TAXES IN HONGKONG.
and
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HONGKONG.
-DALLY-TRESS, **):
COUNCIL
INCREASE IN RATES,
STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR
Amenting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was hold yesterday at the Council Chamber
o
The following were present
RANDIS HENRY MAY, K.0.M.G
18 EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL, VENTRIS (General Officer Commanding
F.
Hon. Mr. À, G. M. FLETOURE (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Mr. E. D. C. WOLSE, Colonial Treasurer.
Sit-The topic which is, perhaps, at the present time of the most absorbing interest to Hongkong residents is the qucation of the method by which mongy shall be raised for the purpose of in- creasing the contributions of this GOV ernment towards the Wor Fund. Much
ben written and said on the subject, Troops in China),
any suggestions have been made, of which are considered to be execedingly good. But the only method which has, so far, met with the approval of the Government is that of
General). adding 7 per cent to the present rates of 13 per cent, and providing that this addition shall be paid by the occupier of a tene ment, and not by the owner (unless, of course, he is himself both owner and Occupier A,
A further suggestion which appears to me, and to numbers of my friends, to be a better one than any of those yet unde, is that a tax should be levied on every person leaving the Colony, by rail or steumer, and on all cargoes imported
for provision could
to
HONGKONG'S WAE LOANS The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordin- ance, to amend further the War Loan Ordinance, 1910. N
SEARCHING OF PASSENGERS REPORT ON COMPLAINTS OF ABUSES.
Arising out of certain statements misde-
abuses connected with the searching of The existence to any great extent of
points out that, in view of the small num passengers is not open to precise proof.. her of complaints made to his départ The Coptain Superintendent of Police
ment either directly or through the Euro-
the Bill was read a first time at the Legislative Council meeting of
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and
has been pointed o
The objects and reasons" stato It October 31st, 1918, relative to the search Agents that the War
the Crowning of passengers on arrival at, and do- Ordinance parture from, Hongkong, the matter, at 1016, makes all intere so on drawn the direction of the Governor, was inves bonds from the date the drawing tigated by the Secretary for Chinese The effect of this wo that a bond Affairs, the C.S.P., and the Superintend Greholder might not be to claim his ent of Imports and Exports The report Avoid a certain loss omptly as to inade by them was laid on the table, at principal and interes amount chime has therefore yesterday. It was as follows;
terest on the the meeting of the Legislative Council fifteen days notice of the numbers drawn been decided to provide that at least the interest ceases to for the mode of shall be given before the date on which drawing in more detail than the tirin
The Bill also provides cipal Ordinance, It was originally in uzider that These details should be direct- convenient to include them in this billowever, that it is not possible to dismiss the principal Ordinance, but
is perhaps exaggerated. It is agreed, it stems of the General Loan nid Inscribed Stockton. If the theory is correct that in The
provisions nie based on the model the complaints received as without foun Ordinance which is used in the case of many cases individuals pay to save them- loans domiciled with the Crown Agents.
Bolves time and trouble, it is not un The bill also corrects a discrepancy natural that they should be shy of report- between the principal Ordinance and the ing to the Police: or that a general com- prospectus of the loan as to the date of plaint based on such circumstances should! through the Chinese Chamber of Com- redemption for bonds not previously be put forward indirectly for instance
merce, as in these papers.
Hon. Mr. J. H. KHP (Attorney
B. Hon Mr ER HALLIVAX (Secretary ed by the Governor under section 11pean detectives on this duty, the trouble
tor Chinese Affairs)
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, U.M.G, (Director ufPublic Works)
Superintendent of Police), ****
Hon, Me C. MOL. MESSER (Captain Hon. Mr. WB: Yox, O.M.G. Hon. Mr. LAU CRU PAK
Hoa. Mr. HE POLLOCK, K.C. Hon. Mr. R. G. SHEWAN, Hon. Mr. C. E. ANTON.
·MINUTES.
NEW MEMBER.
and
The Hon. Mr. R. G. SHEWAN took the oath on becoming a member of Council during the pbsence on leave of the Hon. Mr. B Mr. E. Shelling
By command of B.E. the Governor, the Colonial Secretary laid on the tablo the following papers-Report of the Land Officer for 1910, report, on the finances for the year 1916; report on the Blue Book for 1916, report of the Har bour Master for the year 1910.
My suggestion is that each first or second class passenger ticket from Hong- kong, to any place except Canton, Macao, or other places in the near neighbour hood, should bear on it a si stamp (that amount, of course, being added to the cost of the ticket), and 50 cent stamp on any other class of passenger ticket; while, as regards Canton, Macao and shottie boer on to 50 cent stamp for a the table report on the searching of other places near, & ticket
The COLONIAL SECRETARY also laid on such places first-class passenger, 25 cents for a second,
passengers on arrival at and departure and 10 cent, for any other class from Hongkong, and correspondence be At the rate of 5 cents a ton, a stamp to men who have left Hongkong for active levied and H.E. the Governor, and the list of this amount being affixed to all Bills of servic Lading before such are signed or en dorscu, by the shipowners. It being now
A MAN POWER necessary that completa manifests of all incong and outgoing ships shall ** furnished to the Harbour Office it would be impossible to evade payment of the
With regard to cargoes exported.
תן
imported a tax on these might be tween the Military Service Commission Imperial War Funds. I had in my mind
be
to
of
European supervision.
INTIMATIONS
LANE,
CRAWFORD & Co.
GENTLEMEN'S ENGLISH MADE
WHITE
BOOTS
$7.50
PER PAIR
CANVAS and SHOES
$7.50
PER PAIR
WE STOOK THESE IN ALL SIZES INCLUDING THE EXTRA
WIDE FITTINGS, AS ILLUSTRATED ALSO OTHER SHAPES WITH AND WITHOUT TOECAPS.
ENGLISH
ALL WEIGHTS IN
AND AMERICAN BOOTS AND SHOES.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
A.V.C. FINEST OLD
to
Councils),
Mr. A. E. BULLOCK (Clerk of redeemed by drawing or purchase. The date adopted in the bill is the 1st Novem ber, 1929, which was the date specified It is clear that there is plenty of open- The minutes of the inst mesting were prospectus PRADA Med. or exported out of Hongkong. tax need by so small that individuals confirmed
the would hardly feel it, and yet the total
ing for abuse. wore The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first the vast u proper searching, sheds The COLONIAL SECRETARY Inid on the reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordi (searching of baggage has often to be The lack of Bullictent would amount to a very much larger su to the mate to provide for a temporary inercise done in the open and on wet ground), European supervision of the searchers, than the total of 7 per cent on the pre-moved that they be referred to the in the rates for the special urpose of the readiness of passengers to pay rather sent rates. Moreover, in this way every Finance Committee. single person resident in the Colony, The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded, Colony to His Majesty Government to and dolay, even if carrying nothing con increasing the contributions of the than undergo the discomforts of search whether a householder or o made that this was agreed to
wards the expenses of the present war. the consumers of goods imported, as also those exported, paid the additional tax,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and Companies or their compradore staffs in traband, the methods of the Shipping in the collection of which no difficulty
The object of this bill is to impose a should rank as cargo, and (though this the Bill was read a first, tine, or expense whatsoever ought to be
special war rate of 7 per cent, in addi-point perhaps exceeds the terms of refer- The objects and reasons state passing as passengers luggage what experienced Versuch bra of
tion to the ordinary rates, for the purpose once which are concerned with passengers Government towards the expenses of the practice which the closer regulation of of providing an additional contribution baggage only) in allowing a margin war. The whole of the revenue collected the last few years has shown to be very to be paid by the Colony to His Majesty'sover iouats appearing on manifeste by menus of this rate will be so paid prevalent and to occasion no objection Council held on the 22nd of February. We are agreed that the complete remedy
The outlying villages are excluded the scheme.
uded from from the Customs are all matters which His EXCELLENCY At the manting of this complaint has foundation, make definite proposals to you on the of the Asiatic searchers, such as can be again make it not improbable that the last, I said that I hoped very shortly to is to be looked for in a very extet control subject of increasing taxation "for" the purpose of contributing still further to found only in sufficient and effective after spending considerable time in the imposition of da Income Tax, but studying that project I found that the
HONGKONGS FINANCES. His ESERLEENCY--With reference
difficulties of imposing such a tax in this the xport of the Military Service Com insuperable. We are, in a word, too. The report on the finances of Hongkong Colony are, for the present at any rate,
REPORT FOR 1016. mission, in connection with which I fully recognise the excellent services cinlly to the Canton
hoth
geographic rovince. which have been rendered by the Com the Fress of a proposed offer
and commer for the year 1916 states that the total 20th March I mentioned the
On the revenue for the year amounted
in 813,833,387, being 82,424,377 in excess the passage which
reads
Furthermore of
the estisiate and $2,047,280 more than the of In addition to these taxos 1 suggest has certainly proved, that there yet dificulties of self-assessment so great that paris
Commission to learn, that there should also be levied a tax remains doubt a some minds whether
what the enquiry offer our Chinese friends found the was in additional disappointment in com-
Though most anxious to give effect to this
there were increases under all the of live cents per ton on each merchant- the Empire noede more men, and this they were forced to appeal to me for help with the estimate for the vessel entering the Harbour zigo, I believe, a similar tax (though the number who have abstained from apply been at pains to devise a method of taxing lowe
Some years doubt probably in of 2 cent per ton) was levied for the ing. I am surprised myself to learn the non-Chinese portion of the con (4) Sunday Cargo Working Per
part, explains the and gaidance in the matter I had my creuses over the estimate are as fol
self, with the assistance of my officers, purpose of raising funds for the building that from the first there has existed any of a breakwater or typhoon refuge, doubt on which bag long ago becs completed. No thought that subject. I should have unity by a special increase of the mits objections were then made to that tax would have brought hope to everybody Chinese gift.
perusal of the levied for such special purpose, that men are wanted, and still more bein av leul sure, would now be quite recently, General Sir William both felthed could not devise ze scheme
papers
Chinese gift to the proposed (6) Liquor Dalier made to its being loved for a purpose Robertson announerd that he requires of self-assessment for the Chinese, forobacco Duties: to bristle with difficulties, and in the Stamp Duties.... such a scheme () Opium Monopoly result I to confess myself. far more important. In this way, 100, half
self beaten in (e) Land Sales shipowners who sro actually benefiting brows conclusively that men are required satisfactory one for a discriminating shortage of shipping, (b) to increase in
million recruita by July, and that hy the
estly
enhanced freights would As regards our local needs here I am crease in the fates.
The increases are due under (a) to the be made to contribute maure now contributing.
De able to say that at present there is no the scheme of partial increase in the (e) to land having been more in demand
than they are
The result is that rates of duty, (e) to rise in sale price of the Government has been forced to adopt opium, (d) to more Probate Duty and Further revenue for this special purmediate prospect of a further redac Offer from all junky entering or clear the military authorities to the departure taxation the agricultural classes in the then e
might be collected by the Iron in the garrison being made, and. In that Bill we have eliminated from
rates embodied in the Bill before you, than therefore, no obstacle will be placed by
community. My objection all along to Light Dues:
whereas () is an entirely principal decreases general increase in the rates has been (4) Liquor Licences that it involves taxation of many who, el Railway Income Tax having failed, I under a scheme of Income Tax, would (2) Conservancy, Contracts
the Government has been able to devise.() to the dafault of the late Contractor have escaped taxation; A scheme
in order to protect the occupiers from who was largeld in arrear with hie pay of Of these, (a) was due to the shortage
increases of rent out of proportion toments owing to disturbances in Kwang- say that this Bill is the best subst
can
shipping, (b) to fewer applications; ()to disturbances in Kwangtung, and
the Bill in Committee providing that
The
brought in ac- for, made since the 1st of May, and em 1089,353 less than the expenditure in less than the estimate, and vary these increases or other increases voce decreases under 21 heads as against powering the Government to view and 1915. Compared with the estimates there brought to its notice
by, or on
or on behalf of 4 heads where there were increases. The cess, amounting to $41,505 under Har
tax and as I have said, the amount mixsoners, I desire to call attention to chinese community of COM A Revenue in 1916, Compared with that
suggest is so small that
neither
would
The shipowner nor coneumers feel it to has been a matter of surprise to the 1,000,000 to the Imporial War Cher except Light Dues The Railway t
any appreciable extent,
pusc
of Tren who desire to still offer their services to His Majesty's army,
SUPFLEMENTARY VOTE
BRANDY.
LIQUEUR
GUARANTEED 30 YEARS OLD.
year
The
principal sub-heads showing real
V. D. CLARETS.
V. D. SAUTERNES. V. D. BURGUNDIES.
...$ $1,000
183,000 1,560,000 60,000
Stocked by HONGKONG HOTEL,
Obtainable at LANE. CRAWFORD & Co.
200,000 911,180
ing, a charge being made of one cent per arcul on all cargo carried in those junks. Although I doubt whether any serious objections will be raised to the method now proposed to be adopted by the Gov erament, it seems to me to be somewhat reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordin- The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the First unfair that those who can probably best nace to authorize the appropriation of afford additional taxation the landlords & supplementary sum of two hundred and should, or should be enabled to, suffor ninety-one thousand two hundred and suggested to me that the additional 7 per cents to defray the charges of the year cont on the rates should be made payable 1916, landlords shall give particulars of incunt amoun
no extra expense at all. It has been seventy-three dollars and ninety-seven tho War Tax, a clause will be added to tung bahenditure be
A, & B. MACKAY'S LIQUEUR WHISKY.
were
$24,500 ... 16,000 66,000 35,000
THE
by both owner and occupier. Another The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and creases in rents, and the reason there 2502.85aunted to $11,079,815, being
method would be to add on to the Crown the Bill was read a first time renta sum equivalent to 7 per cent on the rateable value of a tenement erected ENEMY TRADING
on Crown land, and occupied
Or, if it is considered that the amounts
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordin with the enemy and the export of probi, bited goods a
to be raised by taxation of this kind ance to amend the law relating to trading occupiersil stands ad-on department was on account of pur
the Bill was read a first time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and
journed until next Thursday
Hi EXCELLENCY
FINANCE COMMITTEE
REARRANGEMENT OF MOORINGS.
hase of Buoys postponed from 1915, and to extraordinary repair to the Stanley,
should not exceed altogether, 7 per cent on the rateable value of a tenement, then 1
suggest
that the owner should be made ・to pay half that amount by an addition
A meeting of the Finance Committed that of 3205,205 under Miscellaneous to his Crown rent, and the occupier the The objects and restone" state that followed, the COLONIAL STORYTARY presid Services to loss on exchange and trans other half by an addition to his rates, the object of this Bill is to introduce here ing Thus, a person who is both owner and the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of the occupier of a house pays the full sum of Trading with the Enemy and Export of 7 per cent, while in other cases that sum Prohibited Goods Act, 1916, 6 and 7 Geo.cil to vote a sua of four thousand six
port of prisoners to Australia. Military is equally divided between the owner and b, c 59. Section 3 of that Act is not hundred and twenty-five dollars (84,695.00) an extra sum of 244.472, chiefly arising
The Governor recommended the Counaccount of the excess rev
expenditure was larger by $12,875 on occupierYours faithfully, a
Public Works Recurrent accounted for revenue in 1915, and required here in view of the provisions in aid of the vote 6--Harbour Master's from typhoon and storm damages and Ordinance, u, Ordinance No 32 of quid and re-arrangement of Moorings all de- of the Ireportation and Exportation Department, Special Expenditure, Arenirs to the dredger St.
in Victoria Barbour..
Decreases in pensions (35972
public NORTH BORNEO EXTRADITION,
The CHAIRMAN This amount is for two partments were chielly due to the rising The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first bour moorings, one class buoy Railway (Construction Expenses $187,478)
spare buoys reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordin-
connection with the hars exchange, while the one on account of unes to repeal the North Borneo Extradi and one C class huog. We have got was chiefly due to postponement of works to 1917. The revenue for the year ex Occasionally the
the amount estimated, or not?
the buoys have to be taken
The CHATABAN-It was not estimated of the year,
99-753,472 with Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Is this in excess of balance of $45.087 at the end I 1015 the result that the debit
for at all
became a surplus of $2,300,785 at the end
WA. DOWLEY.
SHORTHAND EXAMINATION REBULTS AT THE ITALIAN. #
CONVENT
1916,
Examinations have recently been held tion Ordinance, 1890.NG ANAONA Bare ones at present, andnded the expenditure by a sum of
at the Italian Convent, Hongkong, in con- nection with the School's Shorthand the Bill was read a first time
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and Classes As usual, these examinations The objects and reasons" stateThe were conducted by a local Committee Straits Settlements and Protected States under regulations prescribed by Pitman's Fugitive Offenders Order in Council, Phonetic Institute The papers, collected 1016, which was made by virtue of the and sealed by t after the examinations,
the Examiners, immediately provisions of the Fugitive Offenders (Pro- estimate originally when the scheme was painting carriages. The original paint
ал
Fall Certiscate Dorothie Razavet Speed (80 words)
Beatrix Kinton Bertha Bishop and
Hon Mr POLLOCK There is an
The CHAIRMAN-These sums are for
The vote was serred to
MISCELLANEOUя
to Bath for correction The resu now arrived and are as follows:-
results have the Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881, is to
forwarded tected States) Act, 1915, provides that CHAIRMAN That was all in assed has been found to be unsatisfactory, apply as if the State of North Borneo year, I think. ast and a more lasting varnish is required in Council, which was published in the amount was merely for buying up the were a Britial possession. This Order The COLONIAL TREASURER The original ing another five carriages.
foz the carriages. This sum is for paint- Theory Bertha Bishop, d'Almada o Castro, Ada Dickson, Janet 1816 was brought into force on the 1st allow them to have one or two spare The Governor recommended the Coun-
Phylis Hongkong Gazette of the 15th December, existing boys. This proposal now is to Hill, Lottie Knight, Maria Monteiro, tion under Article 1. This notification Moragaret Neves, Lindamira
Rebruary 1917 by the necessary notifica buoys. It is an additional Isabel Santos and Annis Bar Nunes, was published in the Hongkong Gazette
The vote was agreed
eil to vote & sum of four hundred dollars Flementary Alice Danenberg. Hannah Kera, Agnes Marshall Mabel Musso, of the above legislation the North Borneo sixty dollars ($500) in aid of the vote nection with the Military Service Com of the 27th April, 1917. In consequence cil to vote a sum of five hundred and
(400) in aid of the vote Miscellaneous The Governor recommended the Counsel Expenditure
Barvices War Expenditure, Other, items Violet Raavet, Lottie Scott and E. Silva Extradition Ordinance, 1886, Ordinance Kowloon Canton Railway Working Ex-mission. It includes $500 for myself as
No. 1 of 1866 of the Ordinances of Hong-penses Other Charges, Painting Con- Secretary, and $100
Tho CHAIRMAN This vote is in Cop kong, is no longer necessary, and this tract, Carriages,
for clerical
• We regret to state that Miss Ads Dick. son died before the results reached Hong TABE.
Bill accordingly repeals it.
ROWLOON CANTON BAILWAY
(Continued at fnot of next column.)
Assistance.
The vote was agreed
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and at LANE, CRAWFORD & Co.
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