CO129-311 - Acting Governor Major Gen Sir Gascoigne - 1902 [5-7] — Page 585

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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583

4.

I concur in the recommendations made by the Committee, and I have consulted my Executive Council in the matter. They are unanimously of opinion that the large expenditure which must be incurred in the next few years on Waterworks should be met by a loan, and, with the exception of the Colonial Treasurer, they are in favour of a loan raised locally in Silver.

They are also unanimously of opinion that precedence should be given in the selection of items for taxation, to the items Nos. 4 to 14 inclusive set out in the schedule to the report, keeping the other items in reserve to meet future contingencies.

5.

I agree in this opinion and in addition to the arguments adduced in the report against a large increase in taxation than is recommended by the Committee, I would urge the consideration that the moment is not opportune for increasing taxation to any large extent, especially the item Assessed Taxes!

The Chinese are the principal payers of rates and they have been much harassed by Sanitary Legislation since 1894. They are about to have imposed upon them another very drastic Sanitary measure and to increase taxation considerably at the present juncture would in my opinion be impolitic.

Moreover, an increase in rates means an advance in rents which are already so high as to be a burden on the community and especially the lower classes of it.

With regard to the item 'Shipping dues' I would remind you that the question of raising those dues seems...

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583 4. I concur in the recommendations made by the Committee, and I have consulted my Executive Council in the matter. They are unanimously of opinion that the large expenditure which must be incurred in the next few years on Waterworks should be met by a loan, and, with the exception of the Colonial Treasurer, they are in favour of a loan raised locally in Silver. They are also unanimously of opinion that precedence should be given in the selection of items for taxation, to the items Nos. 4 to 14 inclusive set out in the schedule to the report, keeping the other items in reserve to meet future contingencies. 5. I agree in this opinion and in addition to the arguments adduced in the report against a large increase in taxation than is recommended by the Committee, I would urge the consideration that the moment is not opportune for increasing taxation to any large extent, especially the item Assessed Taxes! The Chinese are the principal payers of rates and they have been much harassed by Sanitary Legislation since 1894. They are about to have imposed upon them another very drastic Sanitary measure and to increase taxation considerably at the present juncture would in my opinion be impolitic. Moreover, an increase in rates means an advance in rents which are already so high as to be a burden on the community and especially the lower classes of it. With regard to the item 'Shipping dues' I would remind you that the question of raising those dues seems...
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583 4. I concur in the recommendations made by the Committee, and I have consulted my Executive Council in the matter. They are unanimously of opinion that the large expenditure which must be incurred in the next few years on Waterworks should be met by a lean, and, with the exception of the Colonial Treasurer, they are in favour of a loan raised locally in Silver. They are also unanimously of opinion that precedence should be given in the selection of items før tax- - 14 inclusive set out in the ation, to the items Nos. 4 schedule to the report, keeping the other items in reserve meet future contingencies. 5. I agree in this ●pinien and in addition to the arguments adduced in the repert against a large increase in taxation than is recommended by the Committee, I would urge the consideration that the moment is not opportune for in- creasing taxation to any large extent especially the item Assessed Taxes! The Chinese are the principal payers of rates and they have been much harassed by Sanitary Legislation since 1894. They are about to have imposed upon them another very drastic Sanitary measure and to increase taxation consi- derably at the present juncture would in my opinion be impolitiq Moreover, an increase in rates means an advance in rents which are already se high as to be a burden ⚫n the community and especially the lower classes of it. With regard to the item 'Shipping dues' I would remind you that the question of raising those dues seme 10
2026-06-01 10:18:56 · Baseline
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583

4.

I concur in the recommendations made by

the Committee, and I have consulted my Executive Council in

the matter. They are unanimously of opinion that the large

expenditure which must be incurred in the next few years on

Waterworks should be met by a lean, and, with the exception of

the Colonial Treasurer, they are in favour of a loan raised

locally in Silver.

They are also unanimously of opinion that

precedence should be given in the selection of items før tax-

- 14 inclusive set out in the ation, to the items Nos. 4

schedule to the report, keeping the other items in reserve

meet future contingencies.

5.

I agree in this ●pinien and in addition

to the arguments adduced in the repert against a large increase in taxation than is recommended by the Committee, I would urge

the consideration that the moment is not opportune for in-

creasing taxation to any large extent especially the item

Assessed Taxes!

The Chinese are the principal payers of

rates and they have been much harassed by Sanitary Legislation since 1894. They are about to have imposed upon them another very drastic Sanitary measure and to increase taxation consi- derably at the present juncture would in my opinion be impolitiq

Moreover, an increase in rates means an

advance in rents which are already se high as to be a burden

⚫n the community and especially the lower classes of it.

With regard to the item 'Shipping dues' I

would remind you that the question of raising those dues seme

10

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