CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923 — Page 316

MINUTES.

towards meeting thems

12, the wood of the year

they will fight the matter

in On Courts.

I thine hit it axfondent to see,

новосте

↓

Слоні,

abreads, recsind als exfiremas of the Crown

Vicos (20226) Cut fold

him that as the chi Coinframent One was also sorted

the itade

C+

coull

three cuerd

comesfe was necessitated

bitum occulous acid

The to HIM. (irrus lis

I

at Pakion, that the FT. had not yet beent

from the Minister, kont

we had reminded 70 on

the subject, and that

1

lot of now ask 70 b press the the sides for an unmediate refly [forces do no}

? to proceed

SA

1/11/23

MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN

ON THIS SIDE.

38736

TELEPHONE NI

9180 VICTORIA.

Dear Sir John,

WESTMINSTER HOUSE,

7, MILLBANK.

314

LONDON, S.W.I.

22nd October 1923

You may remember that on the 13th December last you gave me an appointment to discuss with you the liability of China Companies to taxation under the Hongkong Ordinance No.31 of 1915, and on the 21st December 1922 the Secretary of British-American Tobacco Co.Ltd. addressed a letter to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies on the matter.

Since that date I understand the Secretary

of State has been in communication with the Governor of Hongkong and the Foreign Office, but up to the present time no definite reply has been received.

The tax which at the present time is claimed by the Colony of Hongkong is payable in January next and my cliente, British-American Tobacco Co. (China) Limited, are rather leaning to the view that unless some very substantial reduction ie made in the amount payable under

the Ordinance, they would be well advised to test the validity of Section 7, sub-section (4), of the Hongkong Ordinanos, No.31 of 1915.

At once

As

1.