1921-04-14 — Page 1

Veluria

GLASS

WARE

ANDERSEN, MEYER & CO.LTD. “È

The

Hongkong Telegraph

EDISON

LAMOS

BINGLK GOPY: 10 CTS. 336 PER ANNUM.

RUM ELECTRICAL DEALERG

personal pecuniary interest in avoids the complications of those the result of the claim or appeal. rates.

FOUNDED 1881

No. 12,087

四拜禮 號四十月四英港香

· THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1921. 日七初月三

HONGKONG. MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.

The Mui Tsai" System.

MORE TAXES.

New Stamp Duties for Hongkong.

( Renter's Service. }

London, April 13.

agreement pays the sanie a calorem duty as a conveyance; and the subsequent conveyance. pays nothing. If the agreement is rescinded, the duty is returnable. The heading does not apply to agreements for the sale of goods, vessels, or immovable property

Clause 22, which deals with

In the House of Commons, replying to Lord Henry Cavendish- COMPREHENSIVE MEASURE situate out of the Colony.

INTRODUCED.

Bentinck, Mr. Churchill said he was unaware of the appointment of a Board of Investigation to inquire into the mui tai system in Hongkong. He was informed that a Committee of Chinese ladies. was being formed to assist in this connection the Po Leung Kuk, which was of the groatest assistance to the Colonial Government in all matters connected with the protection of women and girls.

The Naval Hospital.

London, April 13. In the House of Commons, replying to Commander Bellairs, Colonel Amery stated that the maximum number of patients that could be accommodated at the Royal Naval Hospital, Hongkong, was 134. The maximum and minimum accommodated in 1980 were 99 and 52 respectively. Eleven convalescents were sent from the The Hongkong Hospital to the Yokohama Naval Hospital in 1920. latter was not reopened until June 16th, 1920, which was after the usual time of the year for the transfer of convalescents thither from Hongkong

1

An important Hill, amending the law relating to Stump Duty, first im in the was read a Legislative Council Chamber to day. It imposes several new duties and increases athers. From the Objects and Reasons we extract the following: -

for

imprisonment if any persons were discovered to be systematically trying to avoid the obligations. The maximum fine provided was $10,000 or one year's in prisonment. Having pointed

The power of inspection given! Mortgage: The present and by clause 43 may seem rather the proposed rates per $100 are sa

follows:--- wide and severe, but it will pro-

Present. Bill, hably be used comparatively seldom and it is considered very Mortgage... 10 cents. 20 cents. out that many duties were now desirable to have the power in Agreement for .reserve.

if

mortgage...10 Collateral

security... 5 Extension of

20

**

20

!!

20

**

of

20

10

10

to the Colony he proceeded to amplify the explanations given In the "Objects and Reasons.” Ater the first reading had been agreed to, the Hon. Mr. Pollock asked that copies of the Bitl should be circulated

Chamber of Commerce, the the Chinese Chamber of Com- merce and the Stockbrokers' Association. He also asked for

to

a reasonable interval before tho second reading was taken.

The Hon. Mr. Holyoak sup-

The maximum penalty provided certificates to practise, introduces in clause 46 (a fine not exceeding a form of taxation new to the $10,000 and imprisonment not

time The only precedent exceeding one year) may seem

Transfer Colony. known is the annual certificate high, but the temptations to

mortgage... required in the United Kingdom evasion, and the gain resulting

Re-assign- from solicitors

notaries from continued evasion, will be and public.

ment The fee there varies great in certain cases. from £3 to £9. Under the clause

Certificate of The Companies (Sale of Shares)

satisfaction. in the bill the certificates must beOrdinance. 1891, Ordinance No. 5) The objects of this bill are () taken out before beginning to of 1891, which is known as will now include all partnership Partnership instrument:-This to increase the revenue from practise, i.r., in the general case,Keswick's Ordinance," je re-documente, and the duty is being ported,

saying it might be should be stamp duties to facilitate the they

takon pealed in clause 45 (1) because it raised from $5 to $29.

considered by some that the Bill December in collection of those duties and out

the does not seen reasonable to Policy of insurance: The duty was a direct attack on the free A year. prevent evasion, and (e) to correct following

tempor-collect under one Ordinance a various defects in the present law ary regulation will however, be duty on instruments which are hall risks for time, has beenber of Commerce should be given on marine policies, other than trade of the Colony. The Cham-. which have long been shown to made allowing to persons in made void by another Ordinance, raised to 50 cents per $1,000, and reasonable opportunity of con-

The need for additional practice at the commencement of That position would arise exist. revenue is urgent.

the Ordinance a period of one Ordinance No 5 of 1891 were policies has been doubled.

the duty on fire and accident sidering the whole matter.

H.E. the Officer Administering The hill is based as far as month from that date to take out allowed to stand on the possible on the United Kingdom their certificates for 1921.

Power of Attorney: The duty the Government pointed out that statute book after the intredue-)

a Committee representing many Stamp Acts, references to which

Cause 23 introduces another tion of the new Share Contract has been raised from $4 to $5. appear in the marginal. Dotes entirely new duty, that on ex-Note duty. The Ordinance, in has been raised from 10 cents to been considering the Bill for Transfer of shares:-The duty interests of the Colony had throughout

There is, however change contracts. Exchange con-any case, has not justified izself. 50 cents per $100.

months and the Bill W88 one great difference between the

tracts which result in transactions The subject of death duties was

result Share warrants to bearer: the Acts and this bill. In the United that pay bill of exchange or tele-formerly regulated by the Stamp The duty has been raised from mendations.

recam- of its Triple Alliance to Strike on Friday Night.

The "object of Kingdom, speaking generally and graphic transfer duty will not Ordinance, 1901, Ordinance No. 30 couts to $2 per $100. Share the Bill

WAB to raise more subject to certain clear exceptions. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Asqirth, Mr. Lloyd the payment of stamp duty is/Pay exchange contract duty. The 16 of 1901, and when a now scale warrants to bearer escape the revenue, and when the Budget

rate of duty is the same as that of death duties was introduced transfer duty. George rand a letter from the National Enion of Railwaymen an-voluntary. In other words, it is

on hills of exchange and tolegra-by the Estate, Duly Ordinance, no offence not to stamp an in-phie transfers, . 10 cents on

Shippers hooke, etc.:-This is nouncing the Triple Alliance decision to strike at 10 o'clock on

1915, Ordinance No. 16 of 1915, designed to meet the actual Friday night, and said that the Government deeply deplorad the strument, and the Crown cannot

every $500,

it was provided that the old practice of Chinese shippers by decision. Undoubtedly. The situation was very grave, but he hapad sue for the duty. The only sanc-

The share contract duty is now scale should apply to the estates river craft and junk. that wiser counsels woull prevail. Meanwhile the Government was tion is that if the instrument ever in Hongkong, but it exists in the of persons dring before

has to be given in evidence

Veating ordor:-This is treated concerting all necessary measures to meet the emergency,

in civil procnedings it is not the United Kingdom. The scale commencement of the Estate as a conveyance on sale, as in

in the United Kingdom ad-Duty Ordinance. It seems the United Kingdom. admitted until the duty, and

Voluntary disposition ginal penalty, have been vances by thirteen stepa, from unnecessary to preserve this tem

68. on £100 to paid. In the bill the payment

£1 on anounts porary provision any longer. To vivos-This is treated as a con- Schedule to the bill is $2 for all clause (3) of clause 47 of the bill. United Kingdom.

The following remarks apply anunte up to $10,000 and $5 for

to the Schedule to the bill :- all amounts above that figuro.

THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS.

- Landon, April 13,

National Rally in Support of Government.

London, April 13.

a

the

inter did

in the

DRAFT REGULATIONS.

It is expected that the next peace move will come from the of stamp duty is made compulsory over £20,000. The scale in the repeal it is the object of subveyance on sale, as Labour leaders outside of the Triple Alliance. It is not aswertainable. e., attested copies, duplicates, how many unious support the Triple Alliance, but Mr. Thonias Jannouncing the decision, added that many other unions had applied to join the strike, and stated that these include the Electrical Trades Union. On the other band, district returns of the ballot of the Sailors and Firemen's Union so far show substantial majorities against a strike.

was introduced last October Hon. Members knew perfectly well that it was anticipated to in- crease the stamp duties and to impose additional duties. The additional revenue estimated to be raised from that source was then placed at $1,000,000. He not understand how it could be thought that the duties would interfere with the freedom of trade they certainly did not in every CASH except four,

do that. Une or two of the duties would have very bene- agreements of service with a

effects The following draft regulations ficial

in corporate body, and agreements The telegraphic transfer duty Adjudication fee-The adjudi- connection with the Bill were transactions

cintrolling that underhand (other than agreements is new, but there seems to be no cation fee has been raised from laid on the table:-

certainly for the sale of goods and other valid reason why remittances by $1 to $10. The amount of duty

could not be considered a benefit property, the stamping of which telegraphic transfer should escape involved in an adjudication is used on bills of exchange, circular that respect ought be applauded The adhesive stamps to be to the trade of the Colony and in is mado compulsory). In other duty while remittances by bill of usually large.

Tho The national rally in support of the Government continues words, the Collector can sue for the exchange pay. The rate is the Recruiting of the Defence Foren has greatly increased following the duty, and it is also a criminal same as the bill of exchange and -This duty is now, but the point shippers books and ships receipts interests affected

Agreement for the sale of goods: notes, letters, letters of credit, rather than denounced.

"traveller's cheques," Chinese Government desired that all should be killing of mischievous ramOLITA, A committee representing ex-offence not to stamp. The exchange contract rate, fe, 10 seems to be a convenient and(other than bills of lading) shall given opportunities of Servicemen's organisations, at a meeting at Edinburgh, unanimously position under the existing cents for every $500.

suitable one at which to impose a decided calt to upon ex-servicemen to assist in preserving life and Ordinance is not clear: it is Clause 20 is an attempt to deal tax, and the yield should be sub- overprinted with the letters expressing opinions and those

"BE"

opinions would be carefully con- property at this grave national crisis.

arguable that stamping is com-with the problem of blank trans-stantial Agreements where the pulsory, but the current opinion fers, ie, transfers of shares value of the goods does not exceed in the New Territories executed

All instruments relating to land aidered.

After further discussion it was. is that except in certain special executed by the reg stored owner $100 are exempt. An adhesive in pursuance of the provisions of decided to adjourn the meeting rases, stamping is voluntary as in which the name of the trans-stamp may be used if the agree-tie New Territories Regulation until Monday afternoon. April London, April 13,

in the United Kingdom."

feree is left blank. These transfers ment be stamped before execution The temper of the miners in some areas is taking an ugly turn. For example, a serious disturbance occurred af Thoruton Junction, all are entirely new. ., the before being finally completed and the agreement must be stamped

Certain duties imposed by the pass to successive purchasers by any party thereto: otherwise, Ordinance, 1910, shall be exempt 25th, copies of the Bill to be

from stamp duty.

circulated in the meantime to the Fifeshire, where several thousand miners compelled a number of daties on agreements for the sale registered and thus many trans-

with an overembossed stamp.14th day of April, 1921, with an

Cheques stamped before the bodies mentioned above. railway signalmen to leave their signal cabins, causing a practical goods, un exchange contracts fere escape paying duty. The Stamping is compulsory. Huspension of traffic, but Marines and sailors were called in and and on telegraphic transfers and question of making all blank traffic was resumed. The strikers then looted goods trains and two the late registration duty. Others transfers illegal was considered note:The bill of exchange and value of five cents shall be deem shops, but were driven off by police, soldiers, and sailors, who werere new to the Colony, ie, the but it was thought that such a promissory note duty in force at to have been duly stamped if

Serious Disturbance in Fifeshire.

rushed up in lorries.. A score of rioters were arrested,

Locomotive Enginemen and Firemen to Join Strike.

London, April 13.

The locomotive enginemen and firemen, who have their own union independently of the National Union of Railwaymen, and whose attitude has hitherto been doubtful, have decided also to strike on Friday.

Mr. Lloyd George has written the leaders of the Railwaymen and Transport Workers asking the grounds on which it has been decided to inflict such a serious blow on their fellow-countrymen.

THE DAVIS CUP.

Billofexchange and Promissory impressed and dated stamp of the

effectively cancelled.

EARLIER

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

From Our Own Correspondents,j 4-

duties on share contract notes probibition would

interfere present is on a graduated scale. gned before the 30th day of and on certificates to practise. anduly with a common practice The new rate will be a uniform June, 1921.

Cheques stamped before the The definitions in clause 3 of which has been found to be useful one of 10 cents for every $500. the hill are based largely on the and convenient. Blank transfors For large amounts this is lower 14th day of April, 1921, with an United Kingdom Acts. Attention are therefore not made illegal, than the present rats. It is also impressed and dats stamp of the is drawn to the new definitions but un inducement to prompt considerably lower than the rates value of five cents, if signed

A STRAITS SENSATION. of "cheque" and "partnership registration of transfers is offered. in force in the United Kingdom between the 1st day of July and instrument." The former will or, perhaps it should be said. a and Straits Settlements. The the 31at day of December, 1921,

Singapore, April 13. both days inclusive, shall be make illegal the evasion of bill of penalty is placed on late bill of exchange duty js

Mr Evaos, a planter, of Chang deemed to have been duly stamp-Kat Kending estate, who had been. exchange duty carried out by the registrations. No late registra expressly made to apply to use of cheques (in the old sense)tion penalty is incurred if the circular notes, letters of credit and ed if an adhesive revenue stamp to Ipoh to cash a cheque for $600 drawn by bankers here on their transfer is registered within one "travellers cheques. The duty on of the value of five cents shall for the wages of some Chinese, has branches or agents outside the month after execution by the chequee is raised from 5 cents to have been affixed thereto before been arrested. Colony. The definition of " part- transferor. It must, however, 10 cents. A temporary regulation signature and shall have been nership instrument," it will be not be overlooked that this late will be made allowing the use up Certificates to practise during Bren, is not limited to instruments registration duty

to the 30th June of cheques the year 1921, taken out by per- is only an used in the formation of a part- additional safeguard against stamped before a date to be

sons practising at the commence- nership.

evasion, and that every transfer specified in the regulation. Sub-clause (5) of 5 make the of shares must in any event pay Bill of lading:-The duty on ment of the Ordinance, shall be payment of stamp duty a civil the share transfer duty. It bills of lading when the freight is deemed to have been duly taken debt, and the non-payment of should be noted that in future all $3 or more is raised from 20 to 30 out and stamped if taken out and stamped within one month after stamp duty a criminal offence, transfers of shares must contain cents.

the commencement of this Charter party: The duty is except where in the schedule the true date of execution by the

Ordinance. stamping is etated to be transferor, and that no transfers raised from 10 cents to 25 cents must be accepted unless they for every $100 of the charter hire.

The meeting of ex-Service men, In moving the first reading the convened by H.E. the General Clause 6 is intended to make either (a) contain the date of ex- Conveyance on sale:-The pre- all unstamped instruments ecution by the transferor or (b) sent conveyance duty is 50 cents Hon. Attorney General made a Officer Commanding, to discuss Tilden, the world's champion, is of opinion that Japan will be registration,oven though, at the refers only to shares on registers keeps to this rate for all cases in of the altered and new duties in ex-Service organisation in Hong inadmissable in evidence or for are duly stamped. This clause for every $100. The new schedule lengthy speech, explaining many the desirability of forming a

which the amount or value of the detail. He said that the existing Long, takes place in the P.A.

had been found consideration does not exceed law

vory Theatre, Victoria Barracks, to- Do doubt the $5,000, but where it exceeds that defective and

morrow at 5.30 p.m. Bill would. ba figure the new rate will be $1 for present

Consignees of cargo per the found to contain defacts also. every $100,

Efforts to Secure Japanese Player.

London, April 13.. It is understood that Shimidzu, the Japanese tennis player, has cabled from Calcutta saying he will be unable to represent Japan in the Davis Cup ties this year. Further efforts are being made through the National Tennis Club of Japan to obtain his release voluntary. from business with a view to his participating in Japan's debut in international tennis.

the challengers if Shimidzu plays.

AIR SERVICE FROM LONDON TO COPENHAGEN.

THE DISCUSSION,

News in To-day's New Advertisements.

The Mexico Maru having arrived from Japan, consignees should consult the notice on Page 5.

S. Parsia should consult the notice on Page 4.

Messra. Wm. Powell, Ltd have stocks of the famous Atlas shirts.-Page 7.

time when the instrument is kept in the Colony. tendered, the payment of duty Clause 41 is meant to fasten has not yet, by lapse of time, and broaden the liability in the become a civil debt or a criminal case of instruments executed in liability.

the name of a corporate body or Clause 10, which deals with firm. It is intended that criminal Declaration of trust: The The Government hoped that the splitting, is a general application liability shall attach, to the cor-duty on this has been raised Bill, when published in the Gazette Travel de Luxe.

of a principle which has hitherto porate body itself in the former from $10 to $20, and the heading would be very closely considered London, April 13.

been applied in the Colony, and case, and to the person appearing is made to include revocations of by all class of persone whom it affected and that they would Holland and Britain are being brought into quicker communica- the particular case of receipts.

in the United Kingdom, only to to have the management in the trust also.. tion by the inauguration of a daily Dutch air service between Lon-

letter case, upon mere failure to Deed-The general deed duty make any representations they, don and Amsterdam. The schedule time is four hours and the fare stamping by special leave, gives corporate body

Clause 16, which relates to late stamp. In other words, the has been raised from $10 to $20.wished as early as possible. Any iri the one Exchange:-The new duty is criticism would be welcomed and ten guineas. An air connection from Amsterdam to Copenhagen, to the Collector some powers at case, and the manager in, the to be the same duty as on a carefully considered. It was fying Pullmans" as they are termed, is to be provided, with present possessed only by the other case, will be liable for the conveyance of the property of hoped that any alterations could Governor in Council. It is mere omission, apart from any the greater value. The present be speedily made because they wanted the Bill passed as soon as thought that this will conduce to question of intention to evade or duty is a fixed one of $50. greater convenience and despatob, of guilty knowledge, and will be Foreclosure order This is possible.. and any person aggrieved will be bound to see that the instrument treated as a conveyance on sale,} Proceeding, he stated that it able to appeal to the Governor in is duly stamped.

as in the United Kingdom." was the duty of the public to Council.

As it is desirable that the onus Godown warrant -The duty accept the Increased" "duties London, April 14. The duty on agreements for the should be placed expressly on has been raised from 10 cents to loyally. If they could not pay In an Association football match at Portsmouth, the Arniy best sale of property has been adopted one side or the other. It seems 20 cents.

cheerfully they could at least pay the Navy by 3 goals to nil.

from the United Kingdon Stamp not unreasonable to place it on Lease: This heading practic honestly. Any other course would Acts. It is intended to prevent the party who has both the ally adopte an average of the be wrong wad the Governalent evasion of conveyance duty. The knowledge of the facts and is United Kingdom rates, but it would not hesitate to ask for pini.

luxuriously-atted armchairs and writing-tables.

ARMY BEATS NAVY AT FOOTBALL.

(Continued on pace.7.).

To-Day's Exchange.

The closing rate of the dollar, on demand, to-day was 28. 616d.

The Weather.

2 p.m. Barometer-29.91. Tem- perature :--77, Humidity -86.

Lighting-Up Time.

Lighting up time to-day is 6.45