Wednesday, February 27, 1974
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For 1974/75, the effect will be that the rate charge for Area D (Tsuen Wan) which has been subject to rates since 1956, will increase to 15 per cent from April 1, this year. The rate charge for Tsing Yi will be 11 per cent until April 1, 1978.
As regards property tax in the New Territories, a proclamation will be published in the government gazette on March 29 requiring property tax to be collected from non-owner occupied properties in Area D and E of the New Territories.
In the coming financial year, the full General and Urban Council rates will be collected from the Housing Authority in respect of Group B Housing Estates (former resettlement estates).
However, as the Housing Authority has not yet completed its revision of rents for Group B Estates, it is proposed that the government should put the Authority in funds to pay the additional rates for two years.
On rail fares, the Financial Secretary said he would be taking
a close look at the profitability of the Kowloon-Canton Railway. Indications, he said, are that present fares are too low and will have to be raised when the new train set and carriages come into use.
Fees and charges on a multitude of services and on pornits, licenoes, cortificates and other official documents would also be raised. Forty of them had been identified for which higher rates could virtually be introduced straightaway.
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