FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1932.
THE CHINA MAIL.
COUNCIL GIVES THIRD READING TO BUDGET
ESTIMATES PASSED WITHOUT CHANGE
13
PLEA FOR DEVELOPMENT the estimates.
IN AVIATION HERE
ECONOMY IS KEYNOTE
.1
In- done by linking us up with some of ments of the Unofficial Members;tained by private enterprise. approved the estimates. Parti-stead of Government setting the the already established Main Jino cularly, he said, he was gratified example for individuals and public Air Mail Services. We have always that Hong Kong with the plan to erect additional companies to follow, the latter lead prided ourselves hospital accommodation in Kow-the way in the numerous under has kept well abreast of the times! loon, the gaol, and a British takings which are a striking exam-fand has been a progressive.com- Public School, for which" enter-jple of the faith reposed in Kowloon (munity. It is obvious, however, prises amounts are included in by capitalists within the Colony and that we are falling behind in this from abroad who initiate and deve-most important, matter. It is gen- Sir Henry did urge, however, lop Industries that form the Co-erally recognised that Governments that the Council was bound by lony's most valuable assets in more have to take, a leading part in initiating aviation enterprises. I duty to take sömne action which ways than one. would hasten the implementation "Resont letters appearing in the would, therefore, urge upon this of plans for the construction of senior morning newspaper suggent Government the adoption of a more the Shing Mun Valley Dam. In the possibility of the introduction progressive policy in this respect.
"The continuance of the increased this connection he suggested of midget taxis into Kowloon "As that the Council should send a no rickshaws have been. Hoensed scale of light dues is a matter of The Legislative Council yesterday, gave second and third read-message to the engineers into ply for hire in the Homuntin concern to shipping companies charge of the plans for the pro-and Kowloon Tong areas, a cheap which are passing through bad ing to the Budget Bill, containing Estimates totalling $27.585,142 ject pointing out to them the taxi service such as contemplat- times and therefore feel the extra all of which were approved without alteration, although there are necessity for speedy developed is bound to reduce travelling ex-burden acutely. I earnestly hope penses in the case of those rest that the Government may be able to remission. In this critical expressions from a number of members for the lack of ex-ment.
dents whose slender purses do not give them some Colourless Estimates.
parmit of the luxury of the owner- form of taxation, which was in- penditure in what they considered vital public works. Neverthe-
The Ton. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton ship of a motor car, he added. creased 100 per cent. nearly two less, the entire Council approved the policy of prudent economy; in
years ago. When that increase was was the second speaker:
Speaks for Chinese "The Estimates which we are
made the Government stated that, which the Estimates were framed, and their support drew the
debating to-day have been describ- Hon. Dr. S. W. T'so added his in view of the depreciation of silver, gratifled approval of His Excellency the Officer Administering the ed as "colourless" not only by the word of approval to the careful and the increase was a reasonable dhe Government, Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.
Hon: Colonial Secretary himself economical Budget.
itself to'
as a large number of the companies
but by the Press generally I fail "The Chinese Community greatly work on a sterling basis while the There were suggestions from ed on one of two conditions, either to understand the denomination appreciates that the estimates for coastal companies had to a consider individual members of the Coun. works already inserted must be cut "colourless," unless it is meant to the year 1933 were prepared with a able extent increased their dollar or new taxation must be imposed to denote something which does not view to avoiding additional taxation rates. This unfortunately does not cit for various additional public meet the additional cost.
After lend
undue adverse and it is earnestly boped that no present the whole of the picture, as works developments, notably in listening to the Honourable Mr. Feriticism-if that is a fair inter unforeseen circumstances will hap-no account is taken of the heavy Kowloon, and Sir Henry Pollock Braga's appeal for a more progres-pretation, then I agree," he said in pen that may compel the Govern-decline in the volume of trade, and ment to deviate from its policy," he as regards the coastal companies pointed out the advisability of sive policy in Kowloon and to his part.
accusation of timidity on the part "For several years we Unofficial said. "For, every fresh taxation auah increases in dollar rates as it retiring the 6 per cent. $5,000,000 of the Government. I feel it neces-Members have asked for the commeans a further burden on trade has been possible to effect have public works loan and borrowing sary, while fully acknowledging the mencement of numerous public and an increase in the cost of living. been quite inadequate to meet the locally at 41% or 4. per cent. in propriety of his enthusiasm for our works, which we regard as ab- Although Hong Kong is said to have increased dollar equivalent of their stead of at the present rate of sound a note of warning.
tosolutely essential to the welfare fared rather better than the rest of Sterling commitments.. possessions on the mainland,
1 am and future development of this the world during the last two years, "Some adjustment of the in- interest.
glad to find that our policy of Colony.
We now rejoice to and yet, with a constant recurrence of cidence of the burden as between One of the most progressive keeping our reserve funds at not some of the most important of unrest in the Far East and with various classes of shipping seems suggestions
with them in the Estimates before strade depression still hanging over also to be called for Figures have was contained in less than $10,000,000 meets
general approval and that the Hoe- Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton's ad- ourable member has found no sup
Air Services.
the world, Hong Kong may not be been submitted to the Government able to escape the common fate. It by the Chamber of Commerce dress, in which he urged upon port for his theory that it repre "I should now like to dwell for is necessary therefore that, while showing that steamers which call on our air com our financial position is still sound, bere most frequently-in other. "the Council the necessity of sents a timid policy; and when it is a few minutes
compatible, withords which render regular service guarding Hong Kong's future by realized that, apart altogether from munications, which I am inclined strict economy
o the Colony's trade whether that preparing for the development loan worke and maintenance votes, to put in the front rank for confciency should be exercised.
On another topic, he continued: trade is good or bad-pay substan- of aviation and commercial air we propose to spend no less than aideration. For too many years we
$1,719,600 on Public Works Extra- have been inclined to rest on the "Turning to the estimate under tidly "more per call under our syɛ- routes, which were inevitable.
His Excelleney Hon. Mr. South-ordinary, in Kowloon and New Kow fortunate advantages of our Har-Head No. 25-Education Depart-tem of taxation than they do else "ern, presided, and there were also loon next year, I feel sure that his bour. Times are changing, and ment-I find that, the capitation where.. Special exception has al- suggestion that we are pursuing a changing fast, and if we wish to grants have been increased from ready been made in respect of river present:
policy of economy amounting to continue to hold that premier posi- $180,000 to $217,500 for the coming steamers and some extension of the H. F. the General Officer Com harmful stagnation will meet with tion in the Far East, which we year; but no increase has been made system seems highly desirable to manding (Major-General J. Wa similar lack of support.
have hitherto done, we must be on subsidies to Urban Elementary meet the case of vessels which are Sandilands, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.). “Large revenue figures have their sure that we are not being passed Vernacular Schools in Hong Kong in Hong Kong very frequently.
The Colonial Secretary (Hau. Mr. dangers for unofficial members no by while we sleep. Now, are the whatever may be said of these Hon. Commander G. F., Hole, E. R. Hallifax).
less than for Heads of Departments. present facilities at Kái Tack The Attorney General (Hon. Mr. It has been my experience that the adequate? Possibly,
for the schools they de supply an elemen-Harbour Master, answered certain tary education to thousands of poor questions concerning his depart C. G. Alabaster, K.C.. O.BE) « squandermania which such figures moment, yes. But what will the children. If the Government were ment, all of a technical nature and The Secretary for Chinese are said to encourage, if I may be position be in five years time? Leto provide schools for these children Hon. Mr. R. M. Henderson, Director Affairs (Hon. Mr. A. E, Wood), permitted to use a word which ua for a few moments study recent would cost the Colony an enorm-of Public Worka, delved into the
The Colonial Treasurer (Hon.comes readily to the lips of the cri- developments. Commercial avia-
lous sum of money. I consider it detail of estimates under his eye. ties of Governments, when funds tion has great possibilities in the therefore an economy to encourage Financial Position. Hon. Mr. R. M. Henderson run low, is more often due to un-Far East, and unless we take time these schools. (Directors of Public Works).
official pressure than to any other by the forelock and provide facili- The Normal School for women is Hon. Mr. Edwin Taylor, Colon- Hon. Mr. T. H. King (Acting cause. I trust therefore that my ties for what we know is coming being housed in rented premises, ial Treasurer, said in part:-- Inspector General of Police). unofficial friends will forgive the we shall be left far behind.
which proved to be most unsuitable. The Hon. Henry Pollock has Hon. Commander G. F. Hole, Government if it falls at times to
"The provision of an Air Mall The need of a building of its own raised the .p as to converting R.N.. (Retired) (Harbour Master). respond to their blandishments and Service to the Far East is no new is very urgent. The Hon the the present uplic Works Loan,
Hon. Dr. A. R. Wellington declines to undertake works which, idea, already a service exists as far Colonial Secretary has in
his 1927. This question has been (Director of Medical and Sanitary however desirable in themselves, as French Indo-China, and we speech, recognised Its urgency but receiving careful consideration, Services).
might tend to involve the Colony in know that the French Authorities building operation is deferred to for some time past, but Govern Hon. Sir Henry Pollock, Kt., future financial difficulties.
hope to start a service to Hong other more impo ant works. As ment is not yet in a position to Kong shortly. What is being done the coat for this building is not so make, a statement on the mat- by British interests? I am led to:
large as compared with other large ter believe that a subsidy of $60,000 schemes, I would urge the Govern "The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shen- apread over three years has beenment to keep the matter in sight ton raised two points in connec offered but I am informed that this and sanction building operation at tion with finance. The first is as is quite inadequate. Are the Home the earliest possible date. Authorities moving in this matter:
Mr. Edwin Taylor).
K.C..
1
Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton. Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., LL.D.
Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga.
Hon Mr. S. W. Tao, O.B.E.. LL.D.
Hon. Mr. J. J. Paterson.
Hon. Mr. W. H. Bell.
Hon. Mr. T. Y. Chau.
Mr. R. A. C. North (Deputy Clerk. of Councils).
The Hon. Mr. Southorn told the Council that work was be ing hurried on the Shing Mun River Dam plans, that he had been advised from England that the resident engineer would arrive here on Nov. 17, and that the majority of the staff was expected before the end of the year..
The Hon. Mr. Southorn reviewed
the whole debate on the Eat
The Valley Dam. The natural anxiety of the Colony that there should be no delay in the building of the the Gorge, Valley Dam on Shing Mug River is reflected in the speeches of several Hon- ourable Members. Knowing this anxiety, which indeed the Government shares, I tele- graphed to the Secretary of State on 27th September-for the latest information on the subject. I am glad to be able to inform Honourable Members that a reply has reached me this morning. I am authorized to assure the Council that the work
being expedited
and if so what are they doing? Perhaps one day we shall come to
our senses
Pleads For The Poor
all
to the position of the Trade Loan. This is fully set out on pages 18 and 19 of the annual Anancial
Like Hon. Mr. Shenton, Hos. Dr. report for 1931. I would supple. and nd that Hong Tao and Hon. Dr. Kotewall, Hon. ment this, however, by stating Kong, this Colony of which we are
ao proud, has been left in the Mr. T. N. Chau made a strong ap- that the principal outstanding lurch, due to our own apathy and peal for a larger grant to the on 30th ult. was $9 229.76. Protection of Every endeavour is be- g made Society for the want of appreciation.
Children.
was to call in money outstanding but We ought, in my opinion, to at
"As Joint Honorary Secretary of the difficulties in the way of ob once proceed to put up another the Society, I may add to the intaining repayment of Interest Hangar with a minimum space of 30,000 square feet.
Door formation
Kotewall that in
Hon Dr and principal are obvious: Pow
es in the er of sale is exercised as favour cannot leave this subject with past ten months, the familles con able opportunities occur. out recording a protest in the
cerned were wit
any visible The Hon. Member's second
with the least possible "delay, "h strongest" terms' at the apparent "The Resident Engineer expects want of consideration which has means; and in the whole of the 702point deals with interest on fix- to reach Hong Kong on November been shown by the Home Authori- cases dealt wit the
ined deposits. Of the sum of that period, the Average income $1,828,999.92 shewn in the 1931
per cent-$59,368,52, 8 per cent.
17 and the majority of the staff to ties to our Flying Club. If it ist ked out at a figure which allow-balance sheet as on fixed deposit, mates.
be sent from England should arrive desired to sell British machines in led to each member of the family a $1,369,633.40 was earning 814 "The Government cannot but be before the end of the year. The the Far East then every facility
monthly Income of than $8 out gratified at the cordial reception Consulting Engineers have prepar- must be given for instruction in Unfortunately given to the Budget and I associata ed detailed drawings of the location such machines. myself very fully with the congra- and probable extent of the founda- there appears to be an unexplain- tulations. tendered to the Colonial tions of the dam so that' arrangeable disregard of this very Secretary on his able Introductory ments can be made for excavation elementary principle." speech. I desire to place on re- to proceed at au early date and for The Crown cord my personal indebtedness to opening quarries)
(Prudence Approved).
the Colonial Secretary and his Agents hope to invite tenders at an Hou Ma staff and to the Heads of the princi- early date for excavating and prudent policy which pal Departments and in particular quarrying plant
P. Bra
maintaini
to the Treasurer and the Director "In the circumstances I hope I am plus, vof
1,000,000
only a bed
money
2 and $400,000, 2 per cent. I do
not consider that could have been invested consistent
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ing that the tested work in the preparation of the Esti- Honourable the Senior Unofficial
mates and of the memoranda which member will
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