INWARD TELEGRAM
This document must be paraphrased if the communication of its contents to any person outside Government Service is authorised.
Cypher
FROM HONG KONG (Commander-in-Chief)
TO S. OF S., COLONIES.
141
D. 3rd November, 1945. R. 5th
#
10.15 hrs. (via War Office)
262 cipher 31st October.
1.
RESTRICTED.
For Colonial Office, from Civil Affairs.
Measures have now been taken for the collection of certain forms of revenue. Entertainment Tax has been collected from cinemas on basis of five percent of gross takings since end of September and the 1941 rates are being applied with effect from first November. Notice is also being inserted in the press calling attention to the fact that stamping of receipts will again be enforced.
2. Duties on liquor and tobacco at 1941 rates are being collected with effect from 29th October. In normal times these duties bring in some 25 per cent of total revenue. Stepa are being taken to license retailers of liquor and tobacco with effect from 30th November.
3. Three assessment rolls were fortunately recovered intact though naturally considerably out of date.
Steps have been taken to obtain particulars of change of owners etc. and assessed taxes (rates) will be levied as soon as possible in normal times this tax brought in 750,000 dollars or about twelve per cent of total revenue.
/When