Page
THORNYCROFT
JOHN I. THORNTOROFT & CO., LIMITED,
SHIPBUILDERS AND BROINES,
LONDON, SOUTHAMPTOM AND BASINGSTOEN. Shanghai Ofce: 10, Kiukiang Road
THE HONGKONG DAL TUESDAY, APRIL 101H,“, 1911.
15 B.H.P. 30 B.H.P. 50 B.H.P. Engines in Stock
For quotation apply--
SHANGHAI OFFICE.
SPECIAL
3 DAY SALE
OF
LUSTERISED LISLE HOSE
10
Men's Lusterised Lisle Hose in an assortment of Dark Tan, Palm Beach, Pearl Grey, Gunmetal Grey, Cordovan, or Bottle Green. Sizes 10 to 113 in.
$1.25 Pair or 6 Patrs for $6.00
MACKINTOSH
& 00. LTD.
MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS.
16. DES VEUX BOAD,
THEATRE
Direction
TELEFKOME 29:
ROYAL.
EASTERN TOURS, LTD.
H. B. WARING CO.
LA
TO-NIGHT-ROMEO AND JULIET!
WED. Matinee "ROMEO AND JULIET
FINAL PERFORMANCE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
14
The Delightful Furce ANN
Prices $4, $2 & $1.
Booking at Moutrle's.
1778
BY
APPOINTMENT
Apollinaris
“NATURAL MINERAL WATER.
14
NOW AGAIN OBTAINABLE
Since its foundation in 1872, the Apollinaris business. has always been BRITISH-OWNED.
THE APOLLINARIS CO, LTD.
Obtainable at:
"THE HONGKONG HOTEL
THE REPULSE BAY HOTEL and all leading Clubs & Stores.
Sold by ***
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
FOR SALE.
MARINE ENGINES
Iwo 600- H.P. SUMNER MARINE ENGINES (Fuel Oil)=
Cylinder, 2 Cycle, Vertical, Open Column
728
oginen - Gr8 --- DOW - na -received from the Factory-and complete încluding and spares Delivery to be taken at Marin, P.T.
fther informatior, address"
Post Ofoe Box 843, Manila, PI-
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
THE STAMP DUTY DEBATE
IMPORTANT CONCESSIONS.
DEFENCE OF GOVERNMENT. POLICY.
A meeting of the Legislative Council · was held in the Council Chamber yester- day afternoon. There were present: --- HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINIS TERING THE GOVERNMENT (Hon. Mr. CLAUD SEVERN, CALG.). HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER
COMMANDING
TROOPS (Major- General Sir G. M. KIRKPATRICK, K.C.B.. K.C.S.1),
THE
Bon. Mr. E. D. C. Wo (Colonial
Secretary).
Hon. Mr. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E.
(Attorney-General).
Bon. Mr. C. Mel. Massen, O.B.E.
(Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. Mr. E. A. IRVING (Director of
"Education)..
Hon. Mr. S. B. C. Ross (Secretary for
Chinese Affairs). Hon. Mr. T
Public Works). Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.
PERKINS (Director of
Hon. Mr. Lar CHU-PAK.
Hon. Mr. Ho Fook. Hon. Mr. H, W. BIRD. Hon. Mr. A. G. STEPHEN Hon. Mr. A: O. LANG,
Mr. S. B. B. McELDBERY (Clerk of
Councils)
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. A. O. LANG took the oath and his seat as a member of the Council repre- senting the Chamber of Commerce in the absence on leave of Mr. P. H, Holyoak.
- MINUTES.
The minutes of the meeting hell on the 14th inst. were confirmed and ́signed.
FINANCE.
mitters.
On the Council.resuming, the ATTORNEY- GENERAL reported that no nmendigents had Leen made, and moved that the Bill be read a third timing.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY: The Bill is passed.
C-TREATY OF PEACE ORDERS.
imposed on imports from abroad, or cancellation noto. Whatever form, might bounties given for the protection of home be found convenient by the bankars and industrian This Bill, of course, imposes brokers will no doubt be quite sufficient, no import duty whatever, and gives no but some document must be executed as pounty: it has nothing at all to do with cancellation note, and, on that document, this question of Eree Trade. I mention duty must be paid. A consequential “ this because phrases are very dangerous | agendment is the amendment of the and that phrase might get abroad and schedule so as to read exchange oon give the idea that Hongkong is abandon tract cancellation note.”· ing its policy of Free Trude.. The only duties are on tobacco and liquor and they are not touched by this Bill.
Clause 29' is a clause dealing with laza registration duty. It is proposed now to abandon that. There are many difficul
Clause 41. sub-clauses 1 and 2. deal with the liability of corporate bodies and firms and officers and partners and servants for failure to stamp. I am, no1 sure that I fully grasp the objection to these clauses as they now stand, but wa are prepared to alter that as regards " the directors and officers in the ens case, and partners and servituts in the other ense, so na 'to agree with the farm of
Another suggestion inade for dealing į ties and it is felt on the whole that the with the deficiency in revenue is that: wo best thing will be nst to introduce that. The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and should obtain money by means of Short duty but to accept the suggestion made Loans. On that point, I only want to say by, the Stockbrokers' Association to in the motion was agreed to.
that I think the phrase “extraordinary grease, the Stamp Duty on share contract expenditure" which appears in the estimates instead. mates is perhaps (though quite a good. phrase for its purpose) a little mislead ing for the man in the street. It has bees suggested that to make roads and put up houses and other buildings we ought not to rely to taxation but obtain Short Loans for the purpose. As long as I have been in the Colony-over 20 years- have always been making roads and put ting up buildings; it is coustantly recurring expenditure and though it does the section in the Companies: Ordinance result in the permanent improvement of denting with failures to comply with the the Colony, still. as Hongkong is. for provisions of that Ordinance by out tunately, a developing Colony' we always pabies and their officers and servants. have had, and shall have, I hope for many I think the proposal which has found years to come, to go on building roads:
favour is to make sub-clause (1) read; and putting up buildings out of revenue "Every director, manager, secretary and:
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled An Onlinare to modify certain provisions of the Treaty of Peace Order, 1919, as amended by the Treaty of Pence (Ament ment) Order, 1920, and by the Trenty of Pence (Amendment) (No. 3) Order, 1990, for the purpose of adapting the pravi Rians of the Order to the circumstances of the Colony of Hongkong."
the aution was agreed to.
No
purpose.
珏
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and and not relying on short loans for the other officer who knowingly is a party to the default." i am not sure that alters Now, in further consideration of the the meaning, very much. We shall be The Council went into Committee to
Bill, the Government have come to the prepared, if that is not thought enough, consider the Bill clause by clause. amendments were made and on the Coan conclusion that a good many of the pro-to-make the second read
and knowing- pouts in it must be either altered orly authorises or wilfully permits such de cil resuming.
The ATKNEY-GENERAL moved that the abandoned. There are also a number of fault." The same remarks apply to sub. small amendments which it is proposed to clause 2. In case any "members wish to
Bill be read a third time,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and submit in committer-some are drafting refer to the Companies Ordinance, the
the motion was agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY: The Bill is passed.
-THE STAMP ORDINANCE.
CONSIDERABLE MODIFICATIONS.
amendments; others of some slight sub- stantial importance. 1 propose to go through the Bill and state the amend iments which we propose to bring forward in committee, and state what particular provisions of the Bill we are prepared, at this stage, to abandon,
П definition of
#
conveyance
section referred to is 27, sub-section 5,
and the second form is to be found in section 37 of the Ordinacea of 1911.
Clouse 42 has been objected to, but I this chiefly on the ground that it is. indefinite and it is not quite élear to what The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said :-I beg to move the second reading of the 'Bill
It was meant, chiefly, bo- Clause 2, sub-clause 29, contains "the it refers. The COLONIAL SEoRSTART, by command intituled An. Ordinance to Amend the definition of the term "vesting order.?efer to appeals from the Collector to the of H. E. the Officer Administering the Law relating, to Stamp Duty, and in. It has been pointed out that that defini. Summary Court and it has been suggested Government laid upon the table Finan doing so, I would like to acknowledge tion includes too much. A great amay that the clause might be transferred from cial Minutes 28 and 20 and moved that the assistance received from various vesting orders which are not merely to presenti place to Clause 15 which deals. they be referred to the Finance. Com-bodies and individuals, members of both transfers of property for consideration, with appeals against assessments. The Councils, and others. The time bas un but are made on the appointment of new Party appealing from the collector has The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. fortunately been short and I think we trusters, would have to pay conveyance clearly got to establish his case against Hon. Mr.. POLLOCK: In connection, with are greatly indebted to the various duty. What is proposed to be done in the decision already given and the whole Financial Minule No. 25 fa which it bodies and persons who have devoted no that can is to omit that sub-clause alto- thing, can be carried out by means of a is recommended that the Council shall much time and care, to the examination gether and insert in sub-clause, which stated case. I think the simplest thing on would be to omit that "onus" clause vote the sum of $5,000 as payment to of the Bill and given to the Government," Messrs. Lowe, Bingham & Matthews for the benefit of their views and delibe-
after the word instrument"altogether; it does not exist in the pre- professional services in connection with rations. The course of the criticista has these words: and every decree or order sent Ordinance and we have got on very
well without It. a report on the China and Japan Tele taken the form of efforts to reduce the tion practically a copy of the English Court." That will make the sco-
Clanse 48, limitation of time. It is pro phone and Electric Company, Ltd.. increases of the various duties proposed section and will confine the duty on vest-posed to add to that cause another sub- should like to ask whether the report will by the Bill and to induce the Governing orders, to vesting orders on sale. It section providing that no prosecution be laid on the table.
HIS EXCELLENCY: The report is at pregether.
ment to omit certain other daties alto-ay be that we shall not get the duty on shall be instituted under this Ordinance, sent in manuscript and is being circu- have not been able to agree with anfall the veeting orders we ought to get it except with the consent of the collector. Iated for consideration by the Govern the arguments put forward. I think those on, but I think, on the whole, it is fairer That is to prevent the institution of ment. Whether it will be printed and arguments have helped very much to
than the present draft.", laid on the table will be decided later clear up the position, and will enable executed out of the Colony-1 mean after the word" commits." the words "or
Clause 17 provides that instruments The report was abtrined with a view to eventually to come to just decisions.
129 considering the future "position" of the
bills of exchange shall, before being attempts to commit any offence. I do would like to refer, air, to two or executed or brought into force, acted not think many cases will occur in which Telephone Co. No conclusions have beun,
e beta three general points. It has been sug- come to and I cannot give, an answer gested more than onee that, as the upon, or registered within the Colony, be the added words will take effect, but
Even where the Government
of any
prosecutions by unauthorised persons.
Oläuse 48. It is proposed to insert.
Cinuse 43 is a clause which gives power
at the present moment whether the re-Government are only asking for a million would have been liable if executed here
stamped with the duty to which they some may occur. port" will be laid on the table or not. from the new stamp duties, and as then the first instance. It had been point of inspection and search. That has been The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by. 'command present yield is about $800.000 or $200.000ed out that that might be unduly hamper objected to, but I think unreasonably. It of H.F. the Officer Administering the Government, Laid on the table the Resun by simply doubling the existing and, I think, mates' receipts attached to a year, they might have obtained that ing in the case of policies, bills of lading port of the Finance Committes (No. 4) duties. But, apart from the fact that bills of exchange, and if a form of word and moved the it adopted
the motion was agreed to.
THE DAILY FARM PROPERTY.
in some cases-in many cases-particular
of course,
to save the honest person from having to a clause that no honest person has any ground for objecting to. It is intended bear an undue share of taxation by reason
to
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and duties have been doubled, I would fing can be found to exempt those from of the evasion of duty by the dishonest.
the section, I think that that exemption
person. It will only be used, I have no to point out that there are a good mans might very well be made. I have not had doubt, in cases where there is good reason headings of duty in the present stamp time to draft an amendment to that to believe that duty is being evaded, The Hon. Mr. BIRD in pursuance of Law which cannot fairly be doubled, or notice previously given asked the follow even increased at all. There are other effect, but I have no doubt that some systematically and, deliberately, and
give up that power, I suggent, would be ing question:
that we think cannot safely be doubled form of words can be found,
Clause 21 is a clause dealing with the to invite the disloyal and dishonest citizen "In view of the fact that the housing because, if they were, the probable effect problem is still acute and that the Dairy Farm Co. hold some 210 acres might be either to drive trade from the duty on agreements of sale. It is pro to attempt to evade the duties imposed by of highly suitable and accessible build Colony which is a thing one must posed to omit that altogether, and omit, this Bill. ing land on the cool side of the Island, always bear in mind-or else
Dealing with the schedule, and heading. the corresponding heading (5) il the Government take preliminary
encourage in the schedule. I think it is a duty No. 4, it is proposed to abandon that-- that doubling steps to develop some spot on the evasion to such an extent
which will not result in a very large yield to omit it altogether. It will, no doubt, mainland such as the slopes of the the duty would produce nothing like because I think the cases to which it produce a very large revenue even if the Shatin Valley, with a view to the double the yield of the
pitaent tax. ultimate removal of that Company's
would apply in this Colony are small in rate of duty is reduced, it is doubtful
bow far one could collect the proper. Abeds and cattle to such spot and the Doubling as a means of obtaining an-
number. resumption of the land at present in other million is impossible because there
amount. No doubt a great many agree Clause 23 is a clause dealing with ex- its possession?:
are certain items--they amount to more
·AME! The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied. The
change contracte: Don. members will meats will escape the duty and it is Government has for some time past beer than half-which cannot fairly or safely find on the table a proposed new draft thought fairer to omit that proposal in communication with the Dairy Farm be doubled. We, therefore, have to look of that clause. It is not really a change altogether.
Heading 5 I have already mentioned in Co. in the matters referred to in the to other means of increasing the stamp of substance but what I shall call a dealing with cisuse 21. That will also bo question, but it is not possible to maks. revenue.
drafting amendment, I think I explain omitted.) any statement at presont..
ENEMY PROPERTY./
"
* It has been suggested, both in anised it in introducing the Bill. The point bending No. 18, bill of excanaye, the sub-bead 4, letter of credit, has been Council, and elsewhere, that the duties is this: the schedule is a list of duties objected to and it has been suggested The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved their posed by this Bill are an attack on Free which are proposed on particular instra that persons leaving this Colony and second reading of the Bill-intituled Arcade I venture to say, sir, that is arments, there was nothing ju clause 23 taking with them letters of credit. for ordinary trading purposer would go to Ordinance to provide for the transference. improper use of the term "Free Trade, as drafted, to require any instrument at Canton and get their letters of credit of property, rights and powers to succes and that nothing in this Bill has any all to be drawn up on cancellation of a there. I do not think there is much in nive holders of the office of Custodian of being at all on the question of Free draft contract, The new clause remedies that, and I do not think that heading ought to be omitted. But there is another Enemy Property,
Sreda: “ Free Trado" I think, is used flint defeect, so that there will be in form of letter of credit which I think The COLONIAL LORETARY Acconded, and
in two senses in the first na being future come instrument. It is called an ought to be exempted-from-duty on the the motion was agreed to.
opposed to a system of monopolics or exobange contract cancellation note precedent of the United Kingdom Stamp Act. One of the exemptions is letters of credit granted in the United Kingdom authorising drafts-drawn out of the United Kingdom and payable in the United Kingdom. I think you ought to have a similar exemption here.
- ThA ATIGENSY-GEZEIL I beg to chartered companies. There is nothing of It is not intended that any particular move that the Council now go into Com. that kind here. In the second sense, it is form of goto shall be used, and under mittee to consider the Bill clause by used as being opposed to a system of stand that the brokers' note could be under, which import duties are marked - cancelled " and be used oa-s
[842
clause,
“