The tax on salt for alimentary consumption, exclusive vot fishery and industrial salt, has been increased at the rate of SI' a picul. Notices were published by Chinese salt com~ panies in Shanghai on April 14 for an Increase in the price of salt sold 'A few exceptions were, however, made In the increase in certain dis:
{riets owing to prevailing conditions. In a few places, salt will be sold at $0.50 a picul dearer. As the tax in Kwangtung and "Szechuen was raised last year, the two provinces Will not be effected by the new rate.
According to instructions issued by the Directorate-General of Salt Administration of the Ministry of Finance, the surtax will go to the funds for construction in the country and will be In force for five years.
The salt duly ranges from approximately $250 to $10.50 a picul, taxes being" collected in consuming oF Producing districts, According to the general statement of cash receipts for the fiscal year ending June 3,
Finance, salt revenue amounted to 1035, n by the Minister of As. listed Fiscal Year ending June 20, 1937, the salt' revenue. is expected amount to $189,167.25, In order gradually to enforce the new Salt Law. various engineering projects including the construction of depots with auxiliary works like roads, canals, etc, have been and are being carried into effect through-fut the salt works in the country. The new law, which was promulgated. on May 20, 1931, embodies the following three principal objectives: (1) control of saltworks by means of construction of depots for storage of sale; (2) reduction and unification of taxes on salt; and (3) introduction of {ree trade in replacement of monopolies.
The total quantity of alimentary salt released during the five years, 1990-1934, were 182,152,000 piculs, oF fan average of 30,430,000 piculs,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.