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THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 20, 1941.
HARD FACTS OF SITUATION
(Continued from Page 3) me to state that they wish to associate themselves with the tributes
I
have
In due course Honourable Mr. Tam will
оп views
Costly Experiment
It is regrettable that the Un- officials in Select Committee have I understand that at least one thought it expedient in. the light paid, and the views I have expressed of my colleagues will speak on of the present situation and of speak on the question of removal of the subject of nightsoil removal the Colony's finances to curtail to night-soil and the prevailing lawlessness being undertaken by a Govern some extent the proposed public of works expenditure both on the and insecurity of the
Department at a cost Colony. and ment Honourable Mr. Li will speak on prim- { $384,000 for coolies only, an item mainland, and in Hong Kong, but ary education, and 1 desire to express which once incurred will be re- the majority will agree that in so
doing the Committee has follow my concurrence with their
current, these subjects.
This is a costly experiment ated the dictates of commonsense a time when War Expenditure is und prudence. a heavy drain on our resources and one which I understand will | meantime carry on the present system owing to the inability to provide improved receptacies, sincerely hope the measure will be postponed until we can afford it.
I am not happy about the pro- vision of $4,700,000 for vesac!s to bo presented to the Ad- miralty.
to
Gay
Fully realising the true character of the struggle now being waged by Bri tain and her Empire, the Chinese in the Colony have willingly and, indeed, enthusiastically cooperated with ernment in all measures which Govern ment has deemed it necessary to carry out in furthering Britain's war effort, whether by responding
the calls made for service In the Volunterr Corps, Police Reserve. A.R.P. Fire Auxiliary Service, St. John Ambulance, clc.. ele
In In other directions, Of view of their deeds I trust, Sir, that t is not necessary for me to pledge to you once more the willing continuance of that cooperation.
MR. A. L. SHIELDS: RAYS OF HOPE
This was authorised last year but no expenditure is anticipated for the financial period ending 31st March this year although the Imperial Government is in ur- gent need of destroyers or escort vessels for convoys.
The answer is, I understand, difficulty or delay in getting steel said: In the Budget now before and special equipment which had
The Hon. Mr. A. L Shields
us we have the estimated revenue of $56,786,000.- the highest on re- cord, but, nevertheless, the esti- mated deficit is $3,856,715.-, a matter of grave concern for this Council and the Public.
There are, however, some rays of hope in this gloomy picture, first that the recent and very necessary War Expenditure may be reduced and finally disappear.
second that actual Revenue for the past three years has greatly exceeded the forecast and also the very heavy expense for emer- gency food reserves has been written off and should not prove to be a total loss.
to come from Home,
Can we not help the cause more quickly and more efficient. ly by building standard ships which are also urgently re- quired?
This is all I have to say on the Budget.
Our annual Budget debate, how- ever, has long been regarded as the proper occasion for the venti- lation of grievances and com- plaints, and of these I have a few, Government's Failings
I do not know what Govern- ment feels about is last twelve
this. months' administration in Colony. In my opinion, apart from revenue, there is little room for complacency, much less for con- gratulation.
I will mention only three mat- ters as to which Government has fairt itself open to criticism.
First, a very late start was made to provide air raid shelters.
Next, a most lamentable luck of tact was displayed in the hand- lng of evacuation. Government has already been severely cen- sured for this by the public, and
torious peace before these special which involves the review of the We may be celebrating a vic-1 mention it here only because it should be included in any debate vessels are in commission where-
past year's policy and activities, Bs freighters will be in demand long after the war is over.
Meantime the liability for $4,700,000 remains in mitments and is a large enough sum to influence any inquiry into
our
com-
the necessity for increased taxa- Lion,
Some months ago, it was deem- ed advisable to establish a de- partment for the control et im- migration. Here again, it appears to have been thought necessary to
lay emphasis on race distinction, for, if I remember rightly, in ad- vertising for immigration officers Government made it clear that Bogey Of Income Tax
these posts were open only to Bri- I wish to thank your Excellency
Lish subjects of pure European de- for agreeing to omit er reduce The Hon. Financial Secretary's scent. Now, Sir, this might pos- several items of expenditure in remarks, when introducing the
sibly have been excusable if these the draft Estimates as suggested | Budget. raising the bogey of in-
were positions of comparative im- by the Unofficial Members of this, come Tax came as a shock after portante or of a specialised na- Council sitting in Select Commit- the agreements reached last year.ture, but this is not so. Immigra- tee
War Taxation Revenue exceed- tion officers have been recruited ed the estimated figures and the
from every walk of life, and the Finance Committee voted all sup-
fact that they are paid only $400.00 plementary expenditure for De-
a month is another indication that the job is not one calling for any alleged superiority of blood or in telligence.
Police H.Q. To Wait
If further War expenditure is required this Colony will not grudge it, but let it be raised within the framework of the existing Tax Scheme by revising the rates of tax. The Wit
I refer particularly to the pro-lence. The Budget since its intro- posed new Block at Police Head-duction has come within sight of
which can quarters at $800,000
being balanced. probably be built for considerably Jess whin the cost of building m toriale comes down to normal. This question of cost of building also applies to the proposed Infectious De cases Hospital at $1,900,000, of which it was proposed to provide
Taxation Comunite $500 000 TIT 1941/2 leaving 1
has been reconstituted under then liability of $1.400,000 on an completed budding for the fol-Fretext of au unbalanced Budget lowing your with a contract placed and we can only await the residt of its deliberations but I believe at present high pies.
any proposal to introduce Incour Tax for ordinary revénue pu: - with even more po.es will meet opposition than did the suggested Income Tax to find menty to as- sist in the prosecution of the War.
-
Government estimates of cost are apt to be largely exceeded owing to "untoreseen circum stances" and to changes found necessary as work proceeds. The postponement of the Hos- pital contract may perhaps enable unanimity to be reached on what is really required, a subject about which, rumour has it, there is some difference of opinion, IF the Hospital is an
Hard Facts
The items of expenditure which have been cut in the Estimates now before us might well have been pushed through if we had
More than once have I ad- vocated that Government should draw no invidious and totally unnecessary distinctions in ca- Gaging its employees, But I suppose the policy is so ingrain. ed that only where it is - practicable to pursuc it will Government reluctantly adopt another.
"Part And Parcel"
It this com tant discrimination were productive of something of value, il for example, it mads for a high standard of efficiency, there might be something to be said for it. This however, is far from true, as Government kutws from com- plaints in regard to administration brought to its attention by Un- and through other My honourable friend,
officials urgent
sources,
necessity can it not be built quick- } ¡ncome Tax, by the simple ex- Mr. M. K. Lo, has already dealt
with
inefficiency and in-.
ly in isolated blocks on the lines of the huts in St. John's Place? Pedient of increasing the rate. In with the These appear to a layman to be spite of the wish of the Secretary civility to be met with in the Im- much more suitable, as children of State for the Colonies that de-migration Department.
velopment, social services, etc. Complaints with regard to it say mumps or measles would not be under the same roof time we have to face hard facts.
should not be curtailed in war are heard on all sides. Govern- ment's excuse so far as inefficiency with cholera or small-pox patients, !
There are I feel
We must keep a tight rein on is concerned will doubtless be the sure several expenditure by Government De- plea that this is a newly created items under Public Works Extra-partments on their pet schemes department with a heavy volume ordinary on which further econo- which may endanger the solvency of work to cope with. mics can be effected and I hope of the Colony at a time when we Whether this is a valid excuse
the Hon. D. P. W. will do his best.
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need some dollars in the till and can only be ascertained on in- some untapped sources of taxo-quiry; and it is no answer to the tion to meet further calls for de-charge of incivility, Complainits of Tence and I hope offence.
The lack of support for the ląst Government Loan should be a warning. The Public is deeply concerned over the high cost of Government, Pensions, etc, and about the carefree way In which Government spends its .money.
MR. LEO D'ALMADA:
INQUIRY NEEDED
a more serious nature heve been made against this and other de- partments and I do not think I am exaggerating when I say that if more is not heard, it is because the people of Hong Kong. ure so enured to the many failings of Government that they have:come to regard them almost as part and parcel of the kystèm,' to 'be horne with resignation,
There is perhaps one other rea- son why one does not hear more,
The Law Of Libel
The Press is the usual vent for
The Hon. Mr. Leo' d'Almada said: From the point of view of a Kowloon resident there, is much in this Budget that is gratifying purifie "feeling, but newspapers There is generous provision for being subject to our very strict resurfacing
laws of libel, tɗ the misfortune of- our roads, work which is long overdue, a new pub-the public, in such a case is this, lic mortuary and disinfecting star- are not unnaturally careful, some- tion is budgetted for; the promise times over-careful, as to what of a police station for Kowloon they publish. Sir, were these laws Tong raises a hope that that district surance that the airing of com
relaxed and were there any--as- and the Prince Edward Road area will enjoy some measure of police plaints and charger which were protection in the near future, and not more groundless and wicked an agricultural station in the New thing being dong, the correspon- rumours would result in some Territories shows that here again dence columns of our dallies> Government, is at last paying would be full of the most inter some heed to those who have con-esting disclosures, and revelotions. stantly advocated the develop
As things are, one cannot ex- ment of our resources for food production,
. (Continued on Page 9)