THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 14,
BRITISH SHANGHAI CLAIMS Presentation To Japanese Being Considered
RENT REPORT “BARREN"
(Continued from Page 7) ·
to
houses on a certain fixed rental; be in turn is free
let to whomever he pleases and at whatever reat that suits him best.
+
-CHAMBERLAIN- QUESTIONS IN HOUSE
AND
GERMANY
London. To-day.
Asked whether the Government proposed to resume the conversa- tions with the German Govern- ment, the Prime Minister in the House of Commons yesterday said: "I at present have no statement to make on this sub- ject."-Reuter.
A hasty perusal of the Commis- sion's report gives no inkling into the extent of the increase which the farmer receives from his sub-tenants. Strictly speaking, so far as the land- lord is concerned, he appears before the Commission as impeccable; but the just prior to the large increase in the farmer who, in fact, replaces the population, Le, in July of last year. owner becomes the real offender My Between that figure and the rent at, practical experience leaves me in no say, the beginning of this year an doubt as to the existence of this average could have been struck that form of abuse. Quite often the farm would not have deprived the landlord er will allege to the landlord that al of his just dues, at the same time group of tenants intend vacating at leave tenants unmolested by a fur-
OF COMMONS
-
London, To-day. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. R. A. Butler, said in the House of Commons yes- terday that he was at present reviewing the whole question of procedure to be followed in regard to claims filed with Consular officers in China. it appeared that immediate presentation was in the best interests of the claimants themselves, and if it was generally feasible, he would be willing to give instructions for adoption of this procedure.
If
=
The reply was given to Sir J. S. Wardlaw-Milne
the end of the month. Upon his so- ther increase which has threatened, HANKOW RAID had asked whether servative), who
of letting the flat to new tenants, or then. Extending the benefit further permitting the existing to remain in in landlords' favour, any rent (ex- in occupation, for the consideration of clusive of the water surcharge) since a higher rent. Add to this the illicit agreed upon between the two parties "squeeze" assuming such euphonious might be left untouched. The prin designations as "key,
'tea," or ciple of reciprocal contract thus re- "shoe money,” and it becomes apparent mains inviolate. to what lengths the victimisation of sab-tenants is carried.
WATER RATE
EVICTIONS PROHIBITION The Commission is unfortunately committed to the conclusion that “le- To what extent the Commission has gislation prohibiting evictions alone probed into one feature of the rent without at the same time restricting increases must remain a matter of increases of rent would prove useless.” conjecture. The report offers no elu-It was a most serious grievance that cidation. I refer to the question of had given cause for so much dissatis- water rates.
faction landlords' insistence on evic-|
Several cases that have been brought tion. This unbending attitude of cer-
MISFIRES
Hankow, To-day.
A Chinese Aviation Commis- sion communique issued yes- terday stated that 60 Japanese planes twice attempted to raid Hankow yesterday afternoon.-
The raiders failed to reach the city owing to bad weather conditions.-Reuter.
compensation for damage to Bri- tish property in Shanghai, other than already reported to the House, had been presented to the Japanese Government, and if not, when it was proposed to present them.
He also asked whether such steps. would be taken without further de lay seeing that the war had moved away from Shanghai and of the serious suffering inflicted on in- nocent Britons.
SETTLEMENTE INVASION
to my notice remove all doubt that as tain landlords is notorions. Under the BOCCA. TIGRIS Wardlaw Milne asked that par-
an indirect method of adding increase existing laws landlords may summari- upon increase of rent is the inclusion]ly throw out resident tenants for the of water charges. When the housing benefit of passing visitors. Tenants shortage began to be felt, an increases are on good ground when they voice of the original rent incluzive of water complaint against a form of tyranny was made and conceded, followed by a which is exercised without compune salve of the landlord's conscience by tion. The plight of familied tenants the imposition of a surcharge ingen-is truly distressing. Their utter help iously designated as water rate, The lessness excites the gresiest Sym- water rate fixed by the landlord was a pathy. For them an urgent appeal at one applicable to all tenants of is made. It looks very much as it the house. The building usually com- this appeal must fall on deaf ears. prises three or four storeys let to as If prosperity, reaching Hong Kong many tenants.
in consequence of the recent
SHELLED
Canton,
Two Japanese gun-boats Bocca Tigris Forts yesterday noon, but failed to damage. Our Own Corresponde
cause
LOCAL DOLLAR
A
was
In a supplementary question, Sir
ticular attention, be paid to claims for damage to British property in view of the invasion of the north- and eastern parts of the Inter- national Settlement”-
Mr. Butler said he would certain-
consider all these matters.
Reuter
ANSCHLUSS
Berlin, To-day,
The Chinese Ambassador has in-
great The demand rate on the Hong It is well to remember that the wa-growth of population has to be pur Kong dollar this morning ter rate is a determinable figure, and chased at the expense of
so much 1/234 the landlord in placing it at anything anxiety and distress; and if Fong higher than that figure is definitely Kong is to earn the unenviable re-
"Spot" silver was quoted in Lon-formed the German Foreign Office mulcting his tenants in a higher rent putation of being an expensive port don yesterday at 18% and that China has decided to recognise in an indirect manner. He at the for the profit of landlords and forward at 18.
the anschluss and will replace the same time evades payment of taxes on larger colonial revenue from assessed the additional rent collected under taxation, then let this Colony aban- The London on New York rate Legation in Vienna with a Con To that extent the don a form of prosperity so dearly was quoted at -U.S.$4.9768 and sulate-Reuter. revenue of the Colony suffers for the purchased and so unpopularly ac- the New York on London rate at benefit of the landlord. Herein Gov-quired. ernment intervention can be equitably invoked.
a different name.
“WAITING BRIEF”
—U.S.$4.98-3/8.
OIL
H. E. Sir Geoffry Northcote is to dine with the President and Mem- Certain landfords' intuition has de-recommendation (p. 21, para. 4). It
The Commission makes but one final His Excellency the Governor, who bers of the Society of Yorkshire- finitely secured "the monetary benefit is one, however, that conveys little is proceeding to Fanling Lodge on men at the Hong Kong Hotel to themselves out of any proposed comfort and less relief to the suffer- Sunday afternoon, is returning to Friday next week. change of the incidence of the water ers. It recommends that a watch Government House charge. I apprehend that they have, might be kept on landlords actions forestalled the Financiab Secretary, after the submission of the
report.
who, in his recent Memorandum on What good this recommendation can
morning.
on Tuesday
the Water Charge Question, landably achieve, and to what extent it is the plight of the Austrian refuge seeks to protect the tenant, for he going to lighten tenants' burden, it He said that "while dountless the
HAD RHEUMÁTIC
writes: "a transfer of charge would does not say. It offers no palliative was a general desire to maintain PAINS FOR 25 YEARS
His Arms Were Becoming Useless
mean shifting the burden froen the for, much an eradication of, the evil the traditional policy in Britain of comparatively well-to-do to the poor.against. which so load a voice has offering an asylum to persons who, I regard such a shift of the burdenį been raised, What is going to be for political, racial and religious rea-f as most undesirable because I greatly the Government's exercise of author-sons, had to leave their own country, fear that the poor tenant will be ity and watch over landlords ac- there were on the other hand obvious found on balance to pay more as ations, again the Commission dose not objections to any policy which would result of the proposed changes
in sal Do the members expect the collection of water charges, while that each individual case of complaint other social problems."
that aggravate unemployment, housing and the Hong Kong taxation system ab shall be brought to the notice of COLONY'S GOOD NAME
It was about 25 years ago that rheu ready taxes the poor more heavily the Government? And, if so, where It is just this matter of housing matism first marked down this super- in proportion, to income then the is the constituted authority to receive that is of immediate concern to the er; and finally the day came when he¬ wealthy" This is just what has been complaints and act upon them when Colony and so vital to its good name could hardly lift his arms. But he happening in very recent times. There they call for prompt and summary At no time is it advocated that Hong found relief-here in this letter he tells will generally, be agreement with the decision? In the absence of a legally Kong should bar its door to the ad the whole story:- Financial Secretary when he says that created tribunal, to await the crea mission of distressed people who seek About 25 years ago 1 first experien- in the main the adjustment between tion of the necessary practical ma sanctuary within our landlord and tenant must be left to chinery would be to relegate to the Kong's traditional hospitality
gates. Hong|ced slight muscular rheumatism" in ordinary economic forces." It is great-Greek Kalends satisfaction for aggriev-been earned on a policy of broad-lumbago also attacked me. They
bas arm and shoulder. A few years lat ly to be desired that careful note bejed parties.
mindedness based on some little sacz dually got worse until the pai taken of the Hon. Mr. S. Caine's rE
AN APOLOGY
fice here and a little more benevolence acute in both arms and loins. I could commendation. He urges that?” “in I plead limitations of space and there. Is it not worth the while of not lift a quart jugfal of water with announcing the change of incidence of time for what, after all must be a the Colony's monied citizens, and of my arm extended straight out charge Government should make it very harried and imperfect review of the Government's discharge of its 12 months ago I bought a bottle of clear that landlords are expected to report of absorbing interest. The obvious obligation to cherish unimpair Kruschen Salts and by the time it was adjust their rents in consequence and Commission's report contains much ed its traditional hospitality, to surfinished I was agreeably surprised at that in the last resort Government that provides excellent material for render some of the unearned increa slight improvement. I bought an may refuse to instal separate meters a prolonged controversy that cannot ment, and leave in peace and content other one, and when that was finished for any landlord who is shown to adequately be dealt with in a single ment the submerged tenth who have all the pain had disappea have used the change solely to his review within the compass of aa real struggle to provide for them-never appeared since, TP. and has own benefit.”
selves and their dependants the neces
Where an adjustment newspaper letter. has already been made detrimental to It is apposite to the serious-con-saries of life? Theoretically, the ap If you could see the kn tenants' interests, the provisions of sideration of the problem under dis pointment of a Commission of In-crystals of uric acid ander the new law should be trade reboac-cussion for reference to be made, infoquiry appeared a logical course. In scope, you would readily.
conclusion, to the statement by the practice, enough has been said to estab Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare in ligh, barrenness of any satisfac A fairer basic rest for comparative the House of Commons on the 22nd -bory purposes would have been that charged March... Sir Samuel was speaking on
J. P. BRAGA.
tive
FAIRER BASIC RENT
why they cause those cutting Bruschen dulls the sharp those crystals, then away altogether.