Protest by Chamber of Commerce Hongkong, April 22.
A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday evening considered the proposed Stamp Ordinance, which is to be presented to the Legislative Council on the 25th instant. The meeting authorized the Chamber's representative on the Council to oppose the imposition of a stamp duty on agreements, the sale of goods and share transactions. It also advised the reduction of the proposed increases in the stamp duty on marine policies, property conveyance, bills of lading, shippers' notes, charter parties and share transfers.
The Chamber protested against the policy of paying for permanent improvements out of annual revenue, and suggested that such improvements should be covered loan. It also protested against failure to comply with the Ordinance being made the subject of a criminal charge, as proposed in the Ordinance.—Reuter.
Hongkong, April 25.
A meeting of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce on April 28 unanimously approved the report of the committee appointed to ascertain the views of Chinese business men regarding the Stamp Duty Bill. e hamper - concurred with the General Chamber on important points. It is estimated that, by the new rates, the Government will benefit to the extent of $8,000,000, whereas it needed only $1,000,000.—Reuter.
Hongkong, April 25.
The Legislative Council yesteyday debated the Stamp. Duty Bill. The Government amendments include the abandonment of the stamp duties on agreements of ale of goods, wares, merchandise and property, also the reduction' of the duties on partnership insfhuments, bills of lading, charter parties, conveyances of sale, share transfers, share contracts and share warrants to bearer.
The Officer Administering the Government expressed his doubts as to the wisdom of the issue of short-term loans for public works, and denied the charge of extravagance which has been_brought against the Government: He maintained that the present financial position vindicated the bill.
The Council adjourned till the Carrain S. J. G. Parsons, formerly of the N.Y.K., is in command of the ex-German liner Normannia, one of the steamers handed over to the Japanese under the terms of the Peace Treaty. Captain Parsons is very well-known throughout the East, and will be remembered as one of the most popular captains sailing to these ports. During the war he served with the Grand Fleet from 1914 to 1918.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.