RAFT.
Are export duties on the Spirits intended for foreign consumption be 45% and a differential duty made for spirit consumed in the Colony in favour of foreign Spirits imported for home consumption, Hong Kong being a free port,
I am unable to favour the wine trade. The Licence fee for Licence as a financial measure is expedient that an attempt should be made to raise revenue.
MINUTE.
Mr. Wingfield. Mr. Bramston. Mr. Meade. Mr. Herbert. Mr. Grant Duff. Lord Kimberley.
With regard to the question of the scale of spirits to be sold in the Colony, I request you will take this point into your early consideration.
The entire question of the consumption of inferior spirits by European soldiers should be dealt with by penal legislation against the sale of deleterious spirits.
I do not see what advantage is expected to result from an increased licence fee which could not be obtained in a less objectionable way.