CO129-541-5 Harbour Light dues- proposed amendments 11-8-1932 - 22-5-1933 — Page 29

J. S. & S. LTD.

• 2

งง

27.9.32.

29

proposals because

(1) It did not agree with the contention that

Hong Kong harbour was expensive compared with other

ports in the Far East or elsewhere.

(2) Coastal Ports such as Canton, Swatow and

Foochow offered few of the facilities and little of

the security of Hong Kong.

Furthermore, the Government contended that

(1) Any reduction in the scale of light dues

would no doubt necessitate a corresponding increase

in some other form of taxation.

(2) That a system of compounded fees was one which penalised the occasional ship as against the frequent caller and, in the Government's opinion, was less equitable than paying in proportion to the use

made of the port facilities.

To this the Chamber replied on 11th August that (1) It did not appreciate why a reduction in the scale of light dues would necessarily involve a corres- ponding increase in some other form of taxation, as the current accounts would appear to indicate that a surplus might reasonably be expected on the basis of present

taxation.

(2) It was not clear what bearing the reference to the facilities and security of Hong Kong had in comparison with China coast ports, and

(3) That although a system of compounded fees