Chamber of Commerce, requesting the remission of certain light Dues, and a reconsideration of the decision of Lord Kimberley in his despatch No. 170 of the 9th December 1881, to the effect that at present, while there are many much needed Public works still to be undertaken, I should not be ready to reconsider the opinions which I expressed.
My reply to that Deputation, of which I again enclose a copy (No. 17741 "Hong Kong Daily Press" 2nd instant), was to the effect that the source of revenue was diminishing.
2. It will be remembered that in last May, a Deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on me respecting this matter. I adhered to the opinions expressed. Subsequent experience has strengthened those opinions.
3. I have brought this subject before the Executive Council, which advised unanimously that any remission or relaxation, at the present time, would be unnecessary and unpolitic. It was, moreover, pointed out that the Colony of Hong Kong pays, in aggregate taxation, only one pound and ten pence (£1 10s.) per head of the population.
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My Despatch No. 62 of the 14th instant.
GR1178/1922/32(III)
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