XN000022-1986-11-19 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986

MR HO SAID SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS FROM BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES HAD BEEN RECEIVED OVER THE YEARS.

HE SAID IT IS INTENDED TO CURTAIL THIS AND SIMILAR PRACTICES BY MAKING IT AN OFFENCE TO POST ANY BILL, INVOICE OR STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT DUE FOR UNSOLICITED GOODS OR SERVICES UNLESS THE DOCUMENT HAS ON ITS FACE A CLEAR NOTICE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE THAT IT IS NOT A BILL AND NEED NOT BE PAID.

+A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $100 000 FINE AND IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO THREE YEARS IS PROPOSED FOR OFFENDERS.+

TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE OFFERED BY THE POST OFFICE AND TO ENHANCE ITS COMPETITIVENESS, MR HO SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL BE GIVEN DISCRETION REGARDING PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, ALLOWING HIM TO OFFER CREDIT FACILITIES TO REGULAR USERS OF THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE AND TO BULK PARCEL CUSTOMERS.

HE SAID THE REVISED MAXIMUM FINES PROPOSED IN THE BILL WERE INTENDED TO RESTORE THE DETERRENT EFFECT WHICH HAD BEEN ERODED BY INFLATION SINCE THE LEVELS WERE SET IN 1926.

THE PROPOSAL REGARDING THE IMPORTATION OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR WOULD BRING THE POSTAL SYSTEM IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, HE ADDED.

DUTIABLE COMMODITIFS DEFINITIONS BEING UPDATED

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A BILL INTENDED TO UPDATE SOMEWHAT ARCHAIC PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS TO ADAPT TO MODERN BUSINESS PRACTICES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID COMMENTS FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR TRADERS IN DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE BILL WHERE APPROPRIATE.

THE PROPOSALS HAD ALSO BEEN ENDORSED BY THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD, HE ADDED.

MR JACOBS SAID THAT NO CHANGES IN DUTY RATES WERE PROPOSED.

E.

THE DUTEABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE LAST SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED IN 1963, CONCERNS TAXATION AND CONTROL OF LIQUOR, TOBACCO, HYDROCARBON OIL, METHYL ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES.

DERATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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