COPY
Sir,
38
HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
11th. August 1932.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of the
Government's letter No.967/16c., dated July 15th., from which it is noted that Government is unable to agree to a reduction in the present scale of Light Dues.
My Committee would like to offer the following comments on the letter under reply:-
1. It is not appreciated why a reduction in the scale of Ļight
Dues would necessarily involve a corresponding increase in some other form of taxation, as the current accounts would appear to indicate that a surplus may reasonably be expected on the basis of present taxation.
2.
It is not clear to the Committee what bearing the reference to the facilities and security of Hong Kong has in comparison with China Coast ports. As regards facilities these appear
to consist of
(a) Buoys for which steamers pay hire.
(b) Wharves which have been constructed by private enterprise. (c) Lights which, however, are few in number and cannot call
for a high expenditure in upkeep.
(a) Typhoon Shelters, the cost of construction of which was paid by what was at the time intended to be a temporary surcharge on Light Duty, which surcharge has never been withdrawn. The cost of upkeep cannot be great.
poli The Security of Hong Kong Harbour is the result of the natural formation of the Harbour itself, and careely justifies the argument of Government for the maintenance of Light Dues at the present high level.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
HONG KONG.