No. 164.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
10
14
18/7
HONG KONG, 17th March, 1933.
D
кристално увабра
Sir,
With reference to your despatch No.403 of the
5th November, 1932, regarding the Light Dues payable by
ships entering Hong Kong Harbour, I have the honour
to inform you that while I am not prepared to accept
without considerable qualification the views expressed
by the Chamber of Commerce and Messrs. John Swire & Sons
that the taxation imposed directly upon shipping using
this port are unduly high or out of proportion to
expenditure on matters connected with Harbour Adminis-
tration, I am not unaware of the difficulties which are
being experienced by Shipping Companies at the present
time and of the need of such amelioration as may be
possible in the circumstances.
2.
I have accordingly after consultation with my
advisers reached the conclusion that the most equitable
method of attaining this object is the adoption of a
sliding scale based upon the sterling value of the dollar,
and I enclose copies of amendments to Table P. of the
Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1899, bringing such a scale
into effect as from midnight on the 31st March, 1933.
3. The new rates have been fixed at a figure which
when the exchange is at $1 1/- will bring in the same
revenue as the dues hitherto in force with a progressive
reduction as the exchange rises. At the present time
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.
the
&C.,
&C.,
&c.