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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
PRESENT:~
23RD MARCH, 1911.
HIB EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FREDERICK J. DEALTRY LUGARD,
K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.
The Liquor Duties HON. DR. HO KAI-Sir, in moving the resolution which stands in my name, I think I need detain the Council but for a very few minutes. The principle which prompt- ed me in moving an amendment to the scale of increased duty on native wines and spirits was stated by me at the last Council HON. MR. C. CLEMENTI (Colonial meeting, and to-day I have only to re-state Secretary).
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL. C. A. ANDERSON, C.B.).
HON. MR. W. REES DAVIES, F.C. (Attorney-General)
HON. ME. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. ME. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Direc. tor of Public Works).
HON. MR. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar- General).
the principle with a few explanatory remarks Iefore I formally move the resolution. The principle which I stated at the last meeting I still maintain, namely, that in taxation we should, as far as possible, so arrange matters that all people should contribute a just proportion in accordance with their means, and that the burden should not fall more heavily on one particular section of the community, whether European, Chinese The last time, it is true, I stated that principle in different words, and I am very sorry indeed that I gave rise to some misunderstanding. The hon. member on my right, who repre sents the Chamber of Commerce, took my words to mean that the liquor duty falls much more heavily upon the Chinese than took the same view. I may state that I never intended to make such a contention. It is self-evident to every member of this
HON, CAPTAIN F. W. LYONS (Captain or otherwise, than on another. Superintendent of Police).
HON. DR. HO KAI, M.D., C.M.G.
Hos. Mx. WEI YUK, c.M.4.
HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT
HON. ME. E. OSBORNE.
Hos, MR. KESWICK
Mr. R. H. CROFTON (Clerk of Councils) upon the Europeans, and your Excellency
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were read Council and to the public that the Chinese, and confirmed.
Financial Minutes
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by com- mand of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes (Nos. 21 and 22), and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER second. ed, and the motion was agreed to.
Financial
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and moved its adoption. THE COLONIAL TREASURER second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
having a preponderance of numbers, must in every form of taxation bear a heavier share of that taxation. In the case of European wines and spirits it has been estimated that, if not more than hall, quite one-half is consumed by Chinese. So that I could not in face of these facts complain the that the increased tax fell heavily upon Chinese and lightly upon the European community, what I did contend was that irrespective of race, in any community the principle must be in any form of taxution that a proportionate share should be rou tributed by each section of that community in proportion to its means. If the Govern ment had increased the duty on beer from 24 to 48 cents per gallon that would have called forth as emphatic a protest from me as on this occasion. I would have moved that in consideration of the poorer and labouring classes of the European com-
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
munity consuming beer with their meals-it Government to extend to the poorer classes is part of their food, I may say-that they of the Chinese population the same con- should not be taxed to such an extent. If it sideration as is shown to corresponding is necessary to increase the duty to any con- classes in the European community. I am siderable extent for the purpose of raising re- relying upon the enlightened policy of the venue, let that burden fall" more heavily on Government and the enlightened views of the richer classes of the community. I
this honourable Council to make the reduc- hope 1 bave made my meaning clear. In tion a fair one, if not in the terms of my moving this resolution I am only asking the resolution. Perhaps, Sir, it would not waste Government to do the same justice, to extend the Council's time if I referred you to a few the same consideration to the poorer and figures which might explain matters better labouring classes of the Chinese community than I can in words. as they have done towards the labouring and Colonial Secretary the actual sum collected According to the poorer classes of the European community. during 1910 was $443,900, say, $444,000, but In the one case they have considered it of that I think it is admitted that over 60 per unwise or impolitic to impose any increase cent. is derived from Chinese liquor, and whatsoever, but in the other they have only 40 per cent. from European wine. If actually doubled the duty. Now, Sir, there you divide it up in the same proportion you is only one explanation possible. It cannot will find that a sum of $170,000 old out of be assumed that the Government would $443,000 is derived from Europeau and the make any distinction between the poorer classes of the Chinese and the poorer classes
rest from Chinese liquor. Now, the in- of the European community. I know there nationalities comes to only $47,000, an in- creuse on European wine cousumed by all is nothing further from the minds of the Government,
crease of about 26 per cent. On Chinese The only explanation I can liquors there is an increase of $25,000, think of is that it may be assumed that in something like 95 or 96 per cent. the original Tariff Chinese liquor-sawsha || $250,000 was largely borne by the better -has been let off too lightly. But I would class of Chinese, then there might be no remind you, Sir, and the members of this Council present, that the old Tariff was very it would fall upon the poorer classes. reason to oppose it, but more than half of carefully gone into and considered by the Since this is the case, I, as representing the Government before it was passed. It also Chinese on this Council, and my hou. received very considerable consideration colleague opposite, feel ourselves strongly from the unofficial members of this Council called upon to oppose the new tariff, and to in meeting assembled, and it seems to me it ask the Government for a revision in order would be a laine excuse to now turn round and say that formerly we let the samsha off fair-play in this new scheme of liquor taxa- to give the poorer classes of the Chinese very lightly, and that now we must increase tion. the duty by 100 per cent.
With these few remarks, I beg to meeting it was stated that beer was taken
At the last move the following resolution :---- by Europeans with meals. At that time I interrupted your Excellency with an explana tion which you kindly accepted.
I may further assure your Excellency that not only do the Chinese take samshu with their meals but they consume very little of it without meals. They may take leer, or porter, or whisky out of meal time, but so far as I
know from my own experience it is very seldom indeed that a Chinese will take sam- shu in any quantity out of meal time. There fore, Sir, while beer can be taken as the food of the poorer classes of Europeans-it is taken as part of their meals-it is just as necessary for the labouring classes of Chinese
If that
"Resolved that the Resolution proposed by the Honourable the Colonial Secretary and passed by the Council at its last meeting held on the 16th day of March, 1911, relating to the duty leviable upon intoxicating liquors be amended by substituting 20 cents for 30 cents in paragraph (a) and 30 cents for 40 cents in paragraph (7) thereof."
The increase in (a) is five cents, or 38 per
cent, while in the case of (b) there is an increase of five cents, than 20 per cent. These are the liquors Or a little less which are mostly consumed by the lower classes.
HON. ME. WEI YUK-I beg to second
to have samshu with their meals. I am only asking this honourable Council and the the resolution.
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