The barges were eventually brought across to Shanghai, and moored beside the Floating Re toon, where the headqi Japanese Military Water Police are located. The military police, it was further stated, were requested to watch over the barges, as "thefts were very frequent" This the officers agreed to do until the removal of the barges to another safe anchorage, it was added, and the removal was to have taken place yesterday morning.
An employee of the Japanese trad. ing firm, which claims full ownership over thee barges and their cargo, says ihe Japanese report, saw the barges moored at the Floating Restaurant and asked the military police for an explanation. This is said to have led to the detention for questioning of Morgan and his alleged accomplices, Because it was technically impossible for the Japanese Military Police to hand over Morgan to the Consideration was given by the Finance Committee on December 24 to a report submitted by the Treasurer and Controller recommending that a temporary surtax of ten per cent. on existing licence fees, market rentals and all forms of permit fees be levied with effect from January 1 1938, such surtax to be abolished as soon as financial circumstances permitted. The estimated yield from such surtax during 1938 would be approximately $300,000, The proposal was in conformity with similar measures which were being adopted by the Frehch Municipal Administration and was designed to secure uniformity in licence fee collection between the two Couniils.
Legal opinion submitted to the Finance Committee was to the effect that the surtax could not be imposed until the authority of the ratepayers had first been obtained; and that its imposition without such authority would be contrary to the Land Regulations.
Members considered that in view of the legal opinion expressed, the suggested temporary surtax could not be imposed from January 1, 1938, as recommended. The position will be reviewed by the Finance Committee before the annual meeting of ratepayers in the light of any recommendations that may be made by the Treasurer and Controller in accordance with the circumstances then The Municipal Council yesterday endorsed the view of the Finance Committee.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.