CO129-541-5 Harbour Light dues- proposed amendments 11-8-1932 - 22-5-1933 — Page 14

No. 164.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

10

14

18/7

HONG KONG, 17th March, 1933.

D

кристално увабра

Sir,

With reference to your despatch No.403 of the

5th November, 1932, regarding the Light Dues payable by

ships entering Hong Kong Harbour, I have the honour

to inform you that while I am not prepared to accept

without considerable qualification the views expressed

by the Chamber of Commerce and Messrs. John Swire & Sons

that the taxation imposed directly upon shipping using

this port are unduly high or out of proportion to

expenditure on matters connected with Harbour Adminis-

tration, I am not unaware of the difficulties which are

being experienced by Shipping Companies at the present

time and of the need of such amelioration as may be

possible in the circumstances.

2.

I have accordingly after consultation with my

advisers reached the conclusion that the most equitable

method of attaining this object is the adoption of a

sliding scale based upon the sterling value of the dollar,

and I enclose copies of amendments to Table P. of the

Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1899, bringing such a scale

into effect as from midnight on the 31st March, 1933.

3. The new rates have been fixed at a figure which

when the exchange is at $1 1/- will bring in the same

revenue as the dues hitherto in force with a progressive

reduction as the exchange rises. At the present time

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.

the

&C.,

&C.,

&c.