C.O.
LETTER
SENT
DRAFT
MR. Wodeman
MR.
MR.
DRAFT AND RECORD COPY
REGISTERED No.
54152/45.
Dear Smailes,
M
DATE.
Downing Street,
S.W.1.
OCT 1945
9
ENCLOSURES
8 copies of
Financial Policy
directive, llong Kong.
FURTHER ACTION
I enclose for favour of transmission to C.C.A.0. (Hong Kong), 4 copies of the Hong Kong Financial Policy directive which was approved by the Secretary of • State for the Colonies on the 22nd September, 1945.
I also enclose two copies for the information of
Brigadier Macaskie, (Borneo) and two copies for retention by C.A.4. if required.
Yours sincerely,
(SOD.) G.S. WODEMAN.
To
(11/44) [3693] Wt. 43090/394 50m. 12/44 C.N.Ld. 748
Page
Page
SECRET
age 10
10
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.
'.
2. 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.
1
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 Majesty'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.
Valid pre-occupation claims against the Government should
be met as and when they can be verified.
1
8
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.
age 10Page 11