Hangchow, Jan. 6.
The question of income tax, not yet passed into law, is exercising the several provincial bodies, and, almost daily correspondence appears on the subject in the local Press. To-day is published a letter from the Soochow Chamber of Commerce to the Chamber in Hangchow. In it are laid down seven conditions on which the "people might be expected to pay up":—(1). Where the tax is clearly exorbitant that Government be asked to consider remission; (2) When the tax becomes law all other unjust' taxes should be abolished (3) The expenditure of the tax must be submitted to representatives of the people; (4) Registration, and all matters concerned with the collection of the tax must be made public; (5) It must be distinctly understood that the proceeds of this tax must not go to repayment of any loans; (6) Government must enter the tax in estimates and revenue returns; (7) if, while this tax is determined to be levied on the people there is no honest attempt to reduce military, and other unnecessary expenses the people will rise in -indignation against any fresh tax.
Both Chambers decide if_ the above stipulations are accepted the tax will be willingly paid by the people. Shensi urges Chekiang to hold out against the tax., as, also, Hupeh.
The Peking Industrial Board reminds Chekiang that the mining taxes are woefully in arrears, and fixes a day when they must be paid An able article from the pen of the editor appears in the ''Ché- kiang Herald" pointing out the
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.