XN000022-1975-03-27 — Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1975

BUDGET PROPOSALS APPROVED

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VARIOUS INCREASES IN FEES AND CHARGES PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS DUDGET SPEECH LAST MONTH HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM NEXT TUESDAY (APRIL 1).

AMENDED REGULATIONS GIVING LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE REVISED CHARGES AND FEES ARE PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE.

THESE COVER -

X WATER

* POSTAGE

* TEXTILES EXPORT

LICENCE

* BANK LICENCES

* ANCHORAGE DUES

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION. NOT EXCEEDING THE RATE OF 3,500 GALLONS A MONTH WILL COST 39 PER UNIT OF ONE THOUSAND GALLONS (LESS THE EXISTING FREE ALLOWANCE) WHILE CONSUMPTION EXCEEDING THAT MONTHLY AVERAGE DURING THE DILLING PERIOD WILL COST $6 PER UNIT OF ONE THOUSAND GALLONS.

THE REGISTRATION FEE IN BOTH THE INLAND AND OVERSEAS POSTAL SERVICE GOES UP FROM $1 TO $2. AT THE SAME TIME, LOCAL LETTERS GO UP TO 20 CENTS FOR THE FIRST OUNCE WITH GRADUAL INCREASES FOR HEAVIER LETTERS, WHILE SURFACE LETTERS TO CHINA, MACÂU AND TAIWAN WILL COST 30 CENTS FOR THE FIRST OUNCE. INLAND POSTCARDS WILL COST 15 CENTS AND THOSE MAILED TO CHINA MACAU AND TAIWAN 20 CENTS.

A FEE OF $15 IS INTRODUCED FOR AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXPORT LICENCE IN RESPECT OF TEXTILES EXPORTED TO ALL COUNTRIES. THIS TYPE OF LICENCE WAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FREE OF CHARGE.

THE ANNUAL FEE FOR A BANK LICENCE IS RAISED FROM $40,000 TO $200,000. DANK DRANCH FEES ARE UP FROM $1,000 TO $10,000.

THE NEW ANCHORAGE DUES ARE $12 PER 100 TONS A DAY INSIDE HARBOUR LIMITS, AND $3.20 PER 100 TONS ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG WATERS. THE NEW DUES FOR AN 'A' BUOY IS $600 A DAY AND $400 A DAY FOR A 'D' DUOY.

/THE GOVERNOR