XN000022-1974-06-07 — Page 6

FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1974.

SQUATTERS PETITION FOR SHOP SPACE

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ABOUT 50 SQUATTERS CLAIMING TO REPRESENT OPERATORS OF 80 SQUATTER SHOPS ON KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION PETITIONED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICE IN MIDDLE ROAD TODAY AND ASKED FOR SHOP REPROVISIONING.

FIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GROUP WERE RECEIVED BY OFFICERS OF THE CLEARANCE SECTION.

AT THE MEETING, HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION BECAUSE THE SHOPS WERE NOT IN BUSINESS DURING THE INITIAL SCREENING OF THE AREA IN MARCH, 1972.

FURTHERMORE, NONE OF THEM WERE IN OPERATION WHEN THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT ITS GENERAL SURVEY OF SQUATTER SHOPS IN 1965.

ALL THESE SQUATTER SHOPS TOGETHER WITH SOME 500 DOMESTIC SQUATTER HUTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CLEARED ON JULY 27, 1974.

ABOUT 2,000 SQUATTERS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THOSE WHO ARE GENUINELY HOMELESS WILL BE OFFERED LICENSED AREA SITES.

ONE SQUATTER SHOP AND FOUR WORKSHOPS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION.

BILL TO EXEMPT GIFTS TO CHARITIES FROM STAMP DUTY ******

GIFTS TO RECOGNISED CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND DEEDS OF INDEMNITY SIGNED BY STUDENTS RECEIVING INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM PUBLIC FUNDS ARE TO BE EXEMPTED FROM STAMP DUTY UNDER A BILL GAZETTED TODAY.

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KNOWN AS THE STAMP CAMENDMENT) BILL 1974 WHICH WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY, THE BILL IS INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S BUDGET PROPOSALS.

IT SEEKS TO EXEMPT FROM STAMP DUTY GIFTS OF SHARES, MARKETABLE SECURITIES, LAND AND OTHER PROPERTIES TO CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OR TRUSTS OF A PUBLIC CHARACTER.

FOR DEEDS OF INDEMNITY, STUDENTS RECEIVING LOANS FROM THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO SIGN THESE DEEDS TO GUARANTEE REPAYMENT OF THE LOANS. THE DEEDS ARE AT PRESENT SUBJECT TO STAMP DUTY AT A RATE OF 20 CENTS FOR EVERY $100.

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