CO129-033 - General Stavely - Lieut. Governor - 1850 [5-8] — Page 313

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

8. are the loss which must inevitably be sustained by Government of a part of its already very limited Revenue, and the difficulty that exists of making any arrangement which would be considered an advantage by the Land holders themselves, and equitable to the Public generally.

8. The only practical plan that has been suggested to me to remedy the evil, is a general reduction of rates of from 20 to 25 per cent throughout the whole Colony; but it appears to me that this would not afford relief where it is most required; that a reduction in the rates is necessary, I would respectfully suggest that a Committee should be appointed to examine and report on the state of the landed tenure of the Colony generally, as well as each individual case in which it might be enabled to show that a reduction of rent was imperatively called for; and that on this Report such relief should be granted to the present holders as might appear to Your Lordship proper and desirable, and a new rate also fixed for the rent of land which is at present available to the Government.

I observe, my Lord, that in the evidence given before the Select Committee of the House of Commons last year, it is held that a reduction of Land-rent would not eventually cause a deficit in the Revenue, as I am confident that the other sources of local income would increase to some extent; though I am by no means so confident as to be free from much doubt whether they would increase to any extent.

9. reduction say of 20 per Cent being, in many instances, absolutely unnecessary, while in others, where proprietors have purchased land at an absurdly exorbitant rate, this amount of reduction would not be deemed sufficient: If, therefore, Your Lordships should, on further consideration, be disposed to admit

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8. are the loss which must inevitably be sustained by Government of a part of its already very limited Revenue, and the difficulty that exists of making any arrangement which would be considered an advantage by the Land holders themselves, and equitable to the Public generally. 8. The only practical plan that has been suggested to me to remedy the evil, is a general reduction of rates of from 20 to 25 per cent throughout the whole Colony; but it appears to me that this would not afford relief where it is most required; that a reduction in the rates is necessary, I would respectfully suggest that a Committee should be appointed to examine and report on the state of the landed tenure of the Colony generally, as well as each individual case in which it might be enabled to show that a reduction of rent was imperatively called for; and that on this Report such relief should be granted to the present holders as might appear to Your Lordship proper and desirable, and a new rate also fixed for the rent of land which is at present available to the Government. I observe, my Lord, that in the evidence given before the Select Committee of the House of Commons last year, it is held that a reduction of Land-rent would not eventually cause a deficit in the Revenue, as I am confident that the other sources of local income would increase to some extent; though I am by no means so confident as to be free from much doubt whether they would increase to any extent. 9. reduction say of 20 per Cent being, in many instances, absolutely unnecessary, while in others, where proprietors have purchased land at an absurdly exorbitant rate, this amount of reduction would not be deemed sufficient: If, therefore, Your Lordships should, on further consideration, be disposed to admit
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8. are the loss which must inevitably be sustained by Government of a part of its already very limited Revenue, and the difficulty that cxists of making any arrangement which would be considered an advantage by the Land holders themselves, and equitable to the Publié generally. 8. The only practical plan that has to me to remedy the evil, is a been suggested. general roduction of rates of from 20 to 25 per cent throughout the whole Colony; but it appears to me- that this would not afford relief where it is most, required; a- that a reduction in the rates is I would respectfully suggest 307 necessary, that a Committee should be appointed to examine and report on the state of the landed tenure of the Colony), generally, which it might be as also 020 each individual case in a) might be enabled to show that = reduction of rent was imfecratively called for; and that on this Report such relief should be. granted. -ted to the prosent holders as might appear to Your a Lordship proper and desirable, and new rate also fixed for the rent of land which is at present available to the Government, I observe, my Lord, that in the evidence giver before the select Committee of 9. reduction say of 20 per Cent being), in many while in instances, absolutely unnecessary, others, where proprietors have purchased land at aw absurdly exorbitant rate, this amount of reduction would not be deemed sufficient: If, therefore, Your Lordships should, and further consideration, be dieposed to admit the House of Commons last year, it is held that a reduction of Land-rent would not · Of confident, tas as I cauld eventually a deficit in the Revenue this I am by are s no means lo much doubt whether the other sources of local income would increase to to any extent,
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8.

are the loss which must inevitably be sustained by Government of a part of its already very limited Revenue, and the difficulty that cxists of making any arrangement which would be considered an advantage by the Land holders themselves, and equitable to the Publié generally.

8. The only practical plan that has

to me to remedy

the evil, is a

been suggested. general roduction of rates of from 20 to

25 per

cent

throughout the whole Colony;

but it appears to me- that this would not

afford relief where it is most, required;

a-

that a reduction in

the rates is

I would respectfully suggest

307

necessary,

that a Committee

should be appointed to examine and report on the state of the landed tenure of the Colony), generally, which it might be

as

also

020

each individual case in

a)

might be enabled to show that = reduction of rent was imfecratively called for; and that on this Report such relief should be. granted.

-ted to the prosent holders as might appear

to Your

a

Lordship proper and desirable, and

new rate also fixed for the rent of land

which is at present available to the Government,

I observe, my Lord, that in the evidence giver before the select Committee of

9.

reduction

say of

20 per

Cent

being), in many while in

instances, absolutely unnecessary,

others, where proprietors have purchased land

at aw

absurdly

exorbitant rate,

this amount

of reduction would not be deemed sufficient:

If, therefore, Your Lordships should, and further consideration, be dieposed to admit

the House of Commons last

year, it is held

that a reduction of Land-rent would not

·

Of

confident,

tas

as I

cauld eventually a deficit in the Revenue this I am by are

s

no means lo

much doubt whether the other sources of

local income would increase to

to any

extent,

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