CO129-558-3 Levy on Salaries- petition from Chinese Civil Servants 3-1-1936 - 19-12-1936 — Page 225

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15.

(b) that the assessed rate of 17% (equivalent to 3s/4d, in the

£) should be raised to a figure more in keeping with the cost of

the numerous amenities furnished by Government,

An increase of 5% i.e. to 22% is estimated to bring in

$1,868,000

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and even then the highest rated property would only

be rated at the equivalent of 4s/5d. in the £.

(c) That, if it be deemed impracticable to devise a means of

levying income tax, a graduated scale of rates increasing with

the assessment value of the rated premises should be introduced.

If this proposal were adopted it might be possible to

retain the present low rate for tenements occupied by the poorer

classes and thus avoid any raising of rents, while at the same

time ensuring that the wealthier residents contributed by means

of rates a more fitting proportion of the cost of Government.

(a) That the charge for excess consumption of water be restored

to the figure of 75 cents per 1,000 gallons at which it had stood

from January, 1924, until the reduction in October, 1935. By

this means a loss of revenue amounted to approximately $700,000

per annum would be avoided.

(e) That the duties on liquors and tobacco be raised to a figure

more nearly corresponding to that of the like duties in England.

(f) That the system of exempting from rating empty floors in

tenement houses should be abandoned. This system is believed to

lead to overcrowding of the rated floors. It causes a consider-

able loss of revenue and the necessity for frequent inspection and

more detailed valuation involves an increased staff in the

Assessor's office, and increased cost of collection.

(8) That the Betting Tax should be restored to the figure which

prevailed until 1933, when it was reduced at the request of the

Jockey Club.

(h) That the taxes on private motor vehicles should be increased

to figures more commensurate with those now prevailing in England.

The following are the license fees payable in respect of

private motor vehicles in Hong Kong (G. N. No. 602 published in

the Government Gazette of the 25th September, 1931).