No. 302.
Hongkong, 13th July, 1902.
77380 29945
41660
3b003 |
Goverment House,
Hongkong, 10th July, 1902.
Sir,
With reference to paragraph 7 of my Despatch No. 124 of the 2nd of April and to the concluding paragraph of my Despatch No. 266 of the 20th ultimo, I have now the honour to transmit for your consideration the enclosed copy of a report by the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Acting Registrar-General (Mr. Messer) whom I appointed a Committee to examine the subject, on the question of increasing the taxation.
2. The report deals with the suggestions by Mr. Messer referred to in the 15th paragraph of your Despatch No. 422 of the 19th of December, 1901, with the exception of increasing the fees of Pawnbrokers, the Stamp Duty on Probate, and taxing dividends. The duties on Bills of Exchange, Promissory Notes, and Charter Parties are ad valorem and are excepted from the increases recommended in the schedule to the report.
Inclosure 2, April 1902.
The Pawnbrokers' fees were recently raised to the amounts shown in the attached Order of the Officer Administering the Government in Council. Pawnbrokers in the Old Colony used to be limited to 42 in number and used to pay $350 a year each in fees and 10% on their profits.
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,