Statement by Local Commercial Federation The following announcement by the Commercial Federation in settlement of the Chinese opposition to the payment of municipal rates has been issued for publication:
The increase of 2 per oont, in the Municipal rate for the current year, namely in connection with the vote of 16 per cent, has evoked strong opposition on the part of the Chinese ratepayers. The reason for this opposition has been repeatedly set out in announcements made by the Chinese Ratepayers Associa On the side of the Municipal Council, it is felt that the budget for the year having been passed, nov alteration in it can now be mad On the side of the Chinese rat payers, it is felt that the question Chinese representation not have ing been satisfactorily solved, and the consent of the Chinese rate payers not having been received to the increase, they therefore have reasons for their opposition, As each side adhere to its own views, the Commercial Federation, though: being similarly opposed, has in consideration for the preservation of peace and order, and order to settle the present difficulty, consulted with the Municipal Council and hereby one ounces the following plan, having regard to the feelings of both side, 1. In order to meet the estimated budget expenditure the rates for the current year, including the me crease of 2 per cent, over the 14 er cent, levied hitherto, are to be Paid under protest, 2. The present rate levied in the International Settlement includes 2 per cent. extra which is intended to make up the deficiency in. the Municipal Budget, 3. The Chinese residents are dis satisfied with the quota of three Councillors, both in point of numa ber as well ax because of the amount of rates paid by the Eh nese, 'This question should there fore' be considered at the latest, before the an attempt made to. arrive at a settle oth sides.
4. The Council should make an effort to retrench on their expendi ture for 1928. However should an increase be unavoidable, such in= crease should be discussed - with representatives of the Chinese Rat payers before a decision is reached.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.