217
9.
rates should be so increased as to enable their salaries to be
paid in full.
9.
Your Petitioners desire particularly to call attention to
the fact that, although the Government had, before the introduct-
ion of the Budget for 1936, foreseen financial difficulties so
clearly that it had already sought the sanction of your predecess-
or for the principale of a levy on salaries and an increase of
taxation, the Government enacted on the 2nd October, 1935, a
regulation (Government Notification No. 757 in Gazette of 4th
October, 1935). reducing the charge for excess water from 75
cents to 50 cents per 1,000 gallons (preserving discounts already
allowed). thereby foregoing revenue estimated to amount to more
than half a million dollars.
This costly reduction undoubtedly operates for the benefit
of a limited number of landlords, but does not benefit the poorer
class of tenants.
It is interesting to compare with this singular financial
measure the action of the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited
which, following the fall in the value of the Hong Kong dollar,
notified its customers in December, 1935, that it was reluctantly
compelled to revert to the greater charges which had been in force
before the rise in exchange.
10. It is of interest to note that, in comparision with the duties
levied in England, the duties upon Liquors and Tobacco are extreme-
ly light.
The following table shows a comparison of the respective
Whisky
Brandy
Gin
duties:
United Kingdom
Hong Kong
Duty per proof gallon
Duty per proof gallon
£
9.
d.
£
S
2.
12 1
(Customs) (Excise)
3.
13.
10
3.
12.
6
4 2
(If used)
3.
12.
11
Duty per gallon
Duty per gallon
3=
o
Chinese native Spirit.
Beer
1 0
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