E
IS
31741/17.
HONG KONG WAR RATE.
7416
REC
Pe 11 FEB 18j
28
TREASURY LINUTE, dated 9th January 1918.
My Lords read again paragraph 13 of Their Minute of the 31st December 1917 with reference to the var contributions of the Colony of Hong Kong.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer now states to the Board that by Ordinance No. 18 of 1917, passed on the 8th June, 1917, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong made provision for levying a special war rate of 7 per centum per annum to be payable from the 1st July 1917, and to continue to be payable until the end of the quarter during which the war shall come to an end in respect of the valuation of every tenement in the places specified in the schedule of the said Ordinance.
By virtue of section 7 of the said Ordinance the revenue collected by means of this rate is to be placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Government for the prosecution of the war.
The Chancellor recommends that all sums received in respect of this further contribution from the Colony shall be paid into the Exchequer for application towards expenditure on the war.
My Lords concur and desire that the necessary directions be given from time to time as the money becomes available.
The thanks of Their Lordships have already been conveyed to the Legislative Council by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, but Their Lordships are glad to avail Themselves of this opportunity of placing on record Their appreciation of this spontaneous and generous gift. Lot
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