CO129-006 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 309

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

the Governor of that settlement a retire. (which Serviet) of the annual Revenue, amounting to the very large sum of £51,482 of which nearly one half, or £22,757, is derived "from the farming of Opium, a system of collections which of all others is the best adapted to a Chinese population. As the farmers themselves have a perfect knowledge of their own countrymen and the personal interest which they have in the collection, renders them incomparably the best tax-gatherers in a case of this kind. In respect to salt, which is a great source of revenue in China, we have already submitted to the Legislative Council a proposition for licensing it on somewhat a similar plan. From the great success which has attended the system of Licences at Singapore, I shall be tempted to resort to it, whenever practicable.

No 3.

I consider it practicable, as being the most economical, and at the same time the most efficient; of all others.

Both gambling and prostitution have been suggested to me as subjects of taxation; but the first has been already prohibited by a special Ordinance; and the indirect countenance given to a positive vice by making it a source of income would always render such a measure objectionable. I draw a distinction between positive vices and the materials or instruments of vice, as between gambling and dice or cards -- drunkenness and wines or spirits - the abuse of Chandu and Opium and chandu, and other materials.

Tobacco and spirits will be proposed as subjects for licencing; and it has been suggested that a tax of about 5 per cent on Auctioneers and Pawn-brokers...

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the Governor of that settlement a retire. (which Serviet) of the annual Revenue, amounting to the very large sum of £51,482 of which nearly one half, or £22,757, is derived "from the farming of Opium, a system of collections which of all others is the best adapted to a Chinese population. As the farmers themselves have a perfect knowledge of their own countrymen and the personal interest which they have in the collection, renders them incomparably the best tax-gatherers in a case of this kind. In respect to salt, which is a great source of revenue in China, we have already submitted to the Legislative Council a proposition for licensing it on somewhat a similar plan. From the great success which has attended the system of Licences at Singapore, I shall be tempted to resort to it, whenever practicable. No 3. I consider it practicable, as being the most economical, and at the same time the most efficient; of all others. Both gambling and prostitution have been suggested to me as subjects of taxation; but the first has been already prohibited by a special Ordinance; and the indirect countenance given to a positive vice by making it a source of income would always render such a measure objectionable. I draw a distinction between positive vices and the materials or instruments of vice, as between gambling and dice or cards -- drunkenness and wines or spirits - the abuse of Chandu and Opium and chandu, and other materials. Tobacco and spirits will be proposed as subjects for licencing; and it has been suggested that a tax of about 5 per cent on Auctioneers and Pawn-brokers...
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the Governor of that settlement a retire. (which Seviolet) of the ausmal Revenue, amounting to the very large sunvef £$1,482 of which nearly one half, or £22.757, is derived " pours the farming of Opiume, a systons of collections which of all others is the best. Chinese, their lapted to a Chinese population . As the farmers themselves "perfect Knowledge of their evn joined case is a are: countrymen to the personal interest which they have in the collection, renders them incomparably the best tax-gatherers in a of this kind. In respect to salt, which great source of revenue in China have already submitted to the Legislative Conncil a proposition for licencing it ou soncwhat a similar plaw. From the great success which has attended the systenx of Licences at Sincapore, Ishall tempted to resort to it, whenever. be practicable.. No 3. I 304 practicable, as being the most economical, and at the same time the most efficient; vice of all others. Both gambling aus prostitution have been suggested to me as subjects of laxation; but, the first has been obeady prohibited by a special Ordinance; and the indirect countenance given to a positive noe by making it a source. of income would always render such a measure objectionable. Idraw a distinction between positive vices and the materials or instruments of vice, as between gambling and dice or cards -- drunkenness and comes or spirits - the abrese of Ghum and Opiend chalf. anere "Tobacco and spirits will be proposed as subjects for licencing; and it has ben suggested that a tax of about 5 per cent on Auctioneers and Pawn- brokers
2026-05-16 15:19:12 · Baseline
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the Governor of that settlement a retire. (which Seviolet) of the ausmal Revenue, amounting to the very large sunvef £$1,482 of which nearly one half, or £22.757, is derived " pours the farming of Opiume, a systons of

collections which of all others is the best.

Chinese, their

lapted to a Chinese population . As the farmers themselves "perfect Knowledge of their evn

joined

case

is a

are:

countrymen to the personal interest which they have in the collection, renders them incomparably the best tax-gatherers in a

of this kind. In respect to salt, which great source of revenue in China have already submitted to the Legislative Conncil a proposition for licencing it ou soncwhat a similar plaw. From the great success which has attended the systenx of Licences at Sincapore, Ishall

tempted to resort to it, whenever.

be

practicable..

No 3.

I

304

practicable, as being the most economical, and at the same time the most efficient;

vice

of all others.

Both gambling aus prostitution have been suggested to me as subjects of laxation; but, the first has been obeady prohibited by a special Ordinance; and the indirect countenance given to a positive noe by making it a source. of income would always render such a measure objectionable. Idraw a distinction between positive vices and the materials or instruments of vice, as between gambling and dice or cards -- drunkenness and comes or spirits - the abrese of Ghum and Opiend chalf.

anere

"Tobacco and spirits will be proposed as subjects for licencing; and it has ben suggested that a tax of about 5 per cent on Auctioneers and Pawn-

brokers

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