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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HON. DR. LI SHU-FAN.--From the perusal of the last Hong Kong Hansard, I perceive that during my leave of absence from the Colony, some of the most momentous debates in the annals of this Council took place on the question of a war revenue tax. I am only sorry that owing to my unavoidable absence, I was unable to contribute my humble share in the Council's deliberation.
Now that the Report of the War Revenue Committee has been embodied into the present proposal, I do not wish to take up any more time than to express my gratitude to my Unofficial colleagues and to the members of the War Revenue Committee for their labour and fruitful' results. I heartily approve the principles on which this Bill is based.
As Your Excellency observed, none harboured any selfish motive and all expressed the willingness to share the responsibility. The question is, therefore, only one of equity and of application, so that the tax may fall on the shoulders of those who are in a position to pay, provided its adoption will not deleteriously affect the future prosperity of the Colony.
I need hardly point out that while we should be mindful of the Colony's future, we should not overlook the fact that at this very moment, the integrity and indeed the very existence of the British Commonwealth is at stake.
On November 16th of last year, when Your Excellency addressed the Council on the subject of war contribution, Your Excellency referred more than once to the fact that Great Britain was being engaged in a life and death struggle. Since then, the truth of that statement has been repeatedly testified, by news reports of the enemy's ruthless tactics and gigantic preparations for the eventual death struggle. I fear that many people in this outpost of the British Empire, because of their remoteness from the scene of conflict, do not appreciate the full significance and seriousness of this war. As we are aware, Germany has repeatedly avowed, according to Press reports, that her one aim is the total destruction of the British Empire of which this Colony is a component part.
I feel very strongly that, as long as one nation claims to be superior to all others and that that nation only has the right to live, then civilisation is endangered and there can be no peace in the world.
It is my fervent hope that all sections of this Colony will unite in a firm resolution of purpose and of unswerving loyalty to our Cause- the successful prosecution of this war.
Sir, I endorse the sentiments so ably conveyed, on behalf of the Chinese Community, by my Senior Chinese Colleague, the Hon. Mr. M. K. Lo, in support of the motion.
(Applause).
The Bill was then read a second time.
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