SECRET
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54152
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HONG KONG
CIVIL AFFAIRS POLICY DIRECTIVES
FINANCIAL POLICY
In general, as and when conditions permit, revenue
should be collected in accordance with the legislation in force
on December 24th, 1941. In due course consideration should be
given to the introduction of a general income tax.
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Hong Kong should remain a free port, and import duties
should be confined, as in the past, to alcoholic liquors, motor
spirit and tobacco.
3. It may be assumed that some measure of Imperial
Preference will be preserved. Pre-war preferences should,
therefore, be maintained, unless and until varied at the direction
of His Lajesty's Government.
40 Minor modifications in respect of licence fees made by
the Japanese may be accepted at the discretion of the General
Officer Commanding.
5. The Government opium monopoly is not to be restored.
6.
As soon as the situation permits Budgetary Control and
estimates of revenue and expenditure should be re-established in
accordance with Colonial regulations.
7. Valid pre-occupation claims against the Government should
be met as and when they can be verified.
გ. Special arrangements should be made to examine and deal
with claims on account of war damage.
9. The future currency and the treatment of Japanese issues
are dealt with in a separate directive.
Colonial office,
22nd September, 1945.