CO129-174 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [4-8] — Page 450

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

In conclusion, I may state that all the Chinese whom I have conversed with in reference to this matter stated that they had no means of knowing what were their rights when they went to pay taxes. They had a sort of notion of the limits of the demands, but they had no fixed, definite, and universally known tariff to appeal to, and that they simply had gone to pay what they were told without any means of redress.

37. Never perhaps in the history of any country were words more applicable than are those of Adam Smith, the true father of Economic science, on the subject of taxation; and their striking aptness will doubtless justify my quoting them in full. "The tax which each individual is bound to pay ought to be certain and not arbitrary. The time of payment, the manner of payment, the quantity to be paid ought all to be clear and plain to the contributor."

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Surely Bin Brooke will notice that the "Hopps would lose by such an arrangement and unless the alleged morality or want of it of the Hong Kong Chinese changes much the argument for the presence of the cordon of cruisers would be as strong as ever. In conclusion, I may state that all the Chinese whom I have conversed with in reference to this matter stated that they had no means of knowing what were their rights when they went to pay taxes. They had a sort of notion of the limits of the demands, but they had no fixed, definite, and universally known tariff to appeal to, and that they simply had gone to pay what they were told without any means of redress. 37. Never perhaps in the history of any country were words more applicable than are those of Adam Smith, the true father of Economic science, on the subject of taxation; and their striking aptness will doubtless justify my quoting them in full. "The tax which each individual is bound to pay ought to be certain and not arbitrary. The time of payment, the manner of payment, the quantity to be paid ought all to be clear and plain to the contributor." Page 450 Page 451

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surely bin Brooke will notice that the "Hopps would lose bz euch au arrangement and unless the alleged morality or want of it of the Hongthong Chinese Changes much the argument for the presence of the cordon of cruisers would be as strong as ever - In conclusion I may slate that all the Chinese whom I have conversed with in reference to this realter elated that they had no recans of knowing what were their rights when they went to pay taxes, They had a sort of notion of the limits of the demands, but they had no fixed definite and 448 universally knows tariff bst to appeal to, and that they simply had gone to pay what they were told without any beeaurs of redress- 37. Rever perhaps in the history of any country were words more applicable thane are those of Adam- Smith - the true falter of Economic secence- on the subject of laxation; and their striking aptress will doubtters pistify muy quoting them in full. "The late which each individual is bound is pay ought te "be certain and not arbitrary. " The time of payment, the mamuer "of payment, the quantity, to be paid " ought all to be clear and plain to the Page 450Page 451

2026-05-21 10:11:03 · Baseline

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surely bin Brooke will notice that

the "Hopps would lose

euch au

arrangement and unless the alleged morality or want of it of the Hongthong Chinese Changes much the argument for the presence of the cordon of cruisers would be as strong

as ever - In conclusion I may slate that all the Chinese whom I have conversed with in reference to this realter elated that they had no recans of knowing what were their rights when they went to pay taxes, They had a sort of notion of the limits of the demands, but they had no fixed definite and

448

universally knows tariff bst to appeal to, and that they simply had

gone to pay what they were told

without any

beeaurs of redress-

37. Rever perhaps in the history

of any country were words more applicable thane are those of Adam- Smith - the true falter of Economic secence- on the subject of laxation; and their striking aptress will doubtters pistify muy quoting them in full. "The late which each individual is bound is pay ought te "be certain and not arbitrary.

" The time of payment, the mamuer "of payment, the quantity, to be paid " ought all to be clear and plain to

CO129-174 - Sir Kennedy - 1876 [4-8] — Page 450

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