HAT the Governmient is not only determined to effect the complete abolition of likin and other similar levies at the beginning of the New Year but is also fully prepared to tackle and overcome whatever obstacles may lie in the way of full realization of its considered policy is emphatically declared by President Chiang, Kai-shek in a circular telegram issued yesterday to the heads of various provincial governments and municipalities.
Characterizing the institution of in. as not merely a serious impediment td the development of trade and industry Dut also the fountainhead of political corruption and an obstacle to the attainment of the national revolution, President Chiang, calls upon all provincial and municipal authorities to rally to the support of the Central Government in ridding the nation of this major evil. Those who flout and ignore the order will be dealt with according to law, A résné of President Chiang's aesiage Is as {cllows:—The source of constant mole tion to the merchants and acute suffering to the people, likin constitutes by far the most flagrant malpractice in the past few decades. Although abolition of this obnoxious form of taxation has always been under contemplation by the National Government ever since its inauguration, definite action hasbeen deferred until now owing to various 'The institution of Wikin, it should be emphasized, not, only' lhereases the burden of the fieople and hampers the free development of trade, the fountain-head of political cor ruption To "squeeze" and fatten them-ves upon the Government revenue thas become the common practice of likin tax-collectors; and extortion has been an accomplished art. It is embezzling public funds "and sucking the blood and flesh of the people that many of their magnificent mansions and the Juxuries in which their wives and concubines freely indulge.
Tt is therefore obvious that not until likin is abolished can purity political administration be attained; the general moral. degradation. of the people rectified; principle of livelihood for the national reve complished, The resent Plenary Session of the Central Executive Commitee of ti Republic (January 1, 1931), Government definitely' and permanently.abolish likin and mistellancous taxes of a similar] ature and that postponement of action shall under. no circumstances be permitted by. the Government whatever arguments the province may advance for delay.
In adopting this resolution, the Party leaders regarded the abolition of likin as the one measure upon which the success or failure of naional revolution will hereafter hinge. All provincial and manicipal governments must therefore support the Central Government to the utmost of their ability for the eradication of this obstacle in the way of the national revolution, Some provincial or municipal governments may still labour under the apprehension that the: abolition of likin will result in serious loss of revenue; that it would be difficult to compensate them for such loss; Velieve that with military reorganization now i for military appropria preserved intact.
They should realize, however, that hardships and difficulties must be] inevitably encountered in order to accomplish the national revolution] and that it is the natural duty of Party comrades to make strenuous struggle and to endure herdships. Not only is it incumbent upon all provincial and municipal govern ments to make sacriffees but Tam Confident that even if the abolition should result in a, shortage of military appropriations, evolutionary officers and soldiers Weill be reedy and willing to suffer For the time being in order that this all-important -programme, which is necessary for the salvation of the nation and the completion of the National Revolution, may Be] brought to realization.
The Central Government, having resolutely decided to do away with this Long-chronic evil, will "never shrink from any difficulties or obstacles, whatever they may be. I hereby pledge myself, as in duty-bound, to follow and execute this resolution of the Party.
Tt is my humble opi whatever the sacrifices we may to make, this policy of likin aboli tion should by all means be realized! and carried out at the specified time. T am confident that this opinion {5 shared by all comrades in the various provinces and municipalities.
If, contrary to expectations, there should be any who dallies carrying out of this order though outwardly conforming to the order, surreptitiously violates thereby wrecking the plans of the Party and the Government and impending the attainment of the national evolution: he wilh be dealt) with according to law and pa, leniency will be shown towards? im. May all Comrades take note of this!
Government's Losses Pollowing the order on December 165, abolishing likin and levies ike nature throughout the country from the first of next month, Mr.
V. Soong, the Minister of] Finacce, has sent another telegram to. the Provincial Govermments receipt of a telegram from the] detailing the losses of the National Treasury involved by: the measure. and appealing to the local authorities to be prepared to make sacri. fices on their own part The telegram points out that while in Manchu days and under the Peking Government, likin was considered a local revenue, the National Government as eatly three years ago, foreseeing the ity of abolition of likin, gave up the Land Tax to the local an: thorities in: exchange for likin, 20 that when the time came for the abolition ct kin the National Government would: itself shoulder the defi In almost all the provinces hax been gradually carried out! although so far as administration is concerned, likin remains under Tocal control, s0 that the 20 that part of the Toes incurred by the abolition of likin preper, amounting to over $80,000,000, falls on the:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.