CO129-594-5 Financial Policy Directive 21-2-1945 - 6-10-1945 — Page 11

اوراقد

SECRET

HONG KONG

LANGE TERM

POLICY DIRECTIVES

FINANCIAL POLICY

In general, as and when conditions permit, revenue

should be collected in accordance with the legislation in force

on December 24th, 1941. In due course consideration should be

given to the introduction of a general income tax.

2. Hong Kong should remain a free port, and import duties

should be confined, as in the past, to alcoholic liquors, motor

spirit and tobacco.

3.

It may be assumed that some measure of Imperial

Preference will be preserved.

Pre-war preferences should,

therefore, be maintained, unless and until varied at the direction

of His Majesty's Government.

4.

1

Tepanese business mondpeljes should not be maîntâikaa \\permanently and Japanese-run lotteries should not be revived

Minor modifications in respect of licence fees made by the Japanese

may be accepted at the discretion of the General Officer Commanding.

The Government opium monopoly is not to be restored.

5.

6.

As soon as the situation permits Budgetary Control and

estimates of revenue and expenditure should be re-established in

accordance with colonial regulations.

Valid pre-occupation claims against the Government should

be met as and when they can be verified.

8.

Special arrangements should be made to examine and deal

with claims on account of war damage.

9. The future currency and the treatment of Japanese issues

are dealt with in a separate directive.

Colonial Office,

22 September, 1945.