TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: "LOGBOARD. LONDON"
General Shipowners Society, London
Leadenhall St RC. March 11th 1899
I am directed by the Committee of this Society to state that they are informed that His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong proposes to permanently raise the dues levied on vessels frequenting that port from 1 cent to 25 cents in order to supply the deficiency caused by the abandonment of the special charge in respect of the Gap Rock Lighthouse.
My Committee desire to submit that the above proposal to burden the commerce of Hong Kong with a permanent charge of 25 cents per ton on all shipping is not in accordance with the provisions of the proclamation which declared Hong Kong to be a free port.
The continuance of a permanent charge of Light Dues is injurious to shipping and will tend to prevent vessels from visiting Hong Kong. The Committee desire to protest respectfully against the deliberate taxation of the shipping.