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Estimated for 1892 about $774,000, and possibly a still larger estimated amount for 1893, hence our motion for reduction to the 1890 basis, with the view to general retrenchment, and the strictest economy which we regard as absolutely necessary.
14. The Unofficial Members of Council beg to point out to your Lordship that although there may possibly be some difference of opinion in the Colony on the question of official salaries, there is no division of opinion as to the necessity for a reduction in the cost of administration, and for economising generally by the amalgamation of certain offices, as well as for a reformation in the constitution of the Legislative Council, and as to the uselessness in the Council as at present constituted of the presence of an unofficial element which is habitually overruled by the Official vote.
15. We further beg to ask your Lordship's special reference to the proceedings in the Council as reported in the Hongkong Daily Press of 8th and 22nd December ultimo, and posted herewith.
16. We ask that an independent Commission, i.e. one consisting of the Members of the Community unconnected with Government or at least of a majority of such persons, should be appointed with full power to investigate and report on the cost of the Administration.
17. We venture to hope that your Lordship will reply to this letter direct to the Unofficial Members or to their doyen. We had occasion within the last year or two to address several letters to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies and have received neither acknowledgment nor reply. It was only in answer to questions in Council that we learned that there had been any communication at all on the subject of our letters.
We have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servants,
(Signed)
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C. P. CHATER.
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HO KAI.
T. H. WHITEHEAD.
感想
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E. R. BELILIOS.
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J. J. BELL-IRVING.
We, the undersigned Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council of Hong- kong, both nominated and elected, desire to place on record our unanimous protest against the Appropriation Ordinance for 1893, entitled--
An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, to apply a sum not exceeding Two -millions Two hundred and Fifty-six thousand Three hundred and Seventy-five
Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1893.
numbered 12 of 1892 and published in the Hongkong Government Gazette of the 3rd instant as having been passed by this Honourable Council on the 30th day of November, 1892, and as having been assented to by His Excellency the Governor, in the name and on behalf of the Queen, on the 3rd day of December instant.
We protest against the inclusion in that Ordinance, contrary to the unanimous votes and opinions of all the Unofficial Members of the Council in the Finance Committee and in the Committee of the Council, of large sums for the salaries of the Civil Servants of the Colony in excess of the amounts voted and approved by all the Unofficial Members in the Finance Committee and reported to the Council, and far in excess of what, in our opinion, are necessary or the Colony can reason- ably afford to pay.
We protest against the Colonial Secretary and the Official Members of Council voting in Committee of Council, and in Council on the third reading of the Bill, in support of votes for their own salaries in excess of the amounts approved by us in the Finance Committee as reported.