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1
THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1949.
ATTACKS ON HIGH COST OF GOVERNMENT
Criticism Of Delay In Settling War Claims
The feature of the first day's debate on the Budget Estimates yes- Forday was the unanimous condemnation by Unofficial Mam- bers of the high cost of the personal emoluments of Civil Ser- vants.
The
Funch,
(ends to destroy public COIL-
fidence."
Mr. Lo regretted the necessity for such hanvy expenditure for security when there was still só Bich to lo for education, medical facilities and social seri vices.
in recommending new busie rates ¡ju tillgatlon la that the employer í þúbļie a sénié af few trotļus; and for cost of living allowance,regords such subtly as a here- remuneration. paid Euro-sury and proper expenditure, to hun drms, inclining cost of thin the services of a content- living allow niesa, Provident staff.
annuities on retirement "Th policy hang f fact been etc.. to expatriate staff differed followed by inrgs cammetrisk widely to those paid to Portu.firms in the Colony for a great guese, Indilan or Chinese stuff. number of years, and is being The Commitice's reronunenda, followed today. And it shook te tions had resided in tuen af appreciated that, in so doing. flects in Government service
the volation of the housing Dow receiving approximately [problem itself; to the extent to simtar renumeration
which new shortage would thereby patriate staff.
be eased.
ex
"The Idea that A person's renumeration
depend should upon the colour of his akin- which could never have been Justified—le obviously cutmod ed and cannot be tolerated in this post-war world.
Apart from this criticism the Budget itself met with little unfavourable comment. The most outspoken comments came from Sir Man-kam Lo who, together with Mr. T. N. Chau, referred to the delay in settling clairns for requisitioned material lost through enemy action in 1941. Sir Mon-kam Lo termed the delay "absolutely disgraceful.” There was no attempt on the part of Unofficial Members to quarrel with
the expenditure on Security-tormed by Mr. M. M. Watson "under writing a risk which exists as much as the risk of a typhoon"-- though Sir Man-kam Lo declared that Hong Kong should not be call
Str Man-kani hoped there ød upon to incur liabilitios for external defanco.
would be greater mechanisation Calling the Budget "far from healthy," Dr. S. N. Chau said that a disquieting_fea- In some Government departinents
tuce is the utter lack of buoyancy in the Colony's investment market which
ond the elimination of depart-
whose meuts
functions WAT he said, showed a lack of confidence in the commercial future of Hong Kong.
but not esential
sald it was advance in Other
St point
the yester | done for the Colòng on behalf of
Services-hivious that every of ships by
sortal services might result in davis spreelper
the whote community.
amount to something in the re-
#11 increass Int the overall N Chan declared Bit i Turning to the proposed cons
is now of $20,000,000. I gion
establishment, and thesterbutite of
three and a half years since the
•itutions) reforms, Mr. Landate pay should be returned to privatssol that whether the broad out - end of the war, and yet nothing|
The of Municipal Counell al-definite has been announced in 31 11 Hodder Mr. P.ready published W what the respect of the settlement of these
יי! ◄
"Shipping and
many
X Casely suggested that cujntal | genuine Hong Kong people want, elatras, "T]t\ *}r{- Inall be changed to Win cebatable.
other There was a very strong but commercial Arms must be in nerd Au M SE Wadsan, “pasaking out of opinion that does ant favou of funds for rehabilitation, art of government nis hoped their case will receive would rather 90% a larger ac prompt consideration." more representative Legislative
said there Mir Chuy Cmnul working comfunction
great need for
new
The Lagilead and Tenant Orman-Rits form meg satt at world be tre The mutual advantage of launant and tenant
1
:..
Cu Nanakan la sord the time
¦
ina ana hal ing tassel and that the proposed Municipal Council need for May Late Stark Cone_for_unity of which, of necessity, would over-facilities
bork and lands in effort
hep for of the functions of the The clevinster
Colonint Government. the Batmate- wal voglino 230 pth, torlay.
Mr. Landale
suggested that NILO Gorn pintal wall
draft ordinance in connection A reply
with the proposed reforms be published at an early date and that at least two months be allowed to lapse before they debated In Legistative
MR. D. F. LANDALE Strong Opposition To Municipal Council
M. D P. Luptate, en trehalf
Council.
Mr. Landale refevert to Une cost of Government, and sand the figure in the Estimates was "mordiantely lugh." He gave in- ↑ stances of uneconomie operation for a
of Governinent.
val than Herofficial Monday, ex. preved imerie Thanks to 31.
Iperio fetteng Predic Work and Mr. D. J Nt6, Gehring Vier-thinreiter of thed of presenting The University for all they had j
We finanres. dern for free Colony,
were
WHIS schools
Public Opinion
Mr. Chau emphasised the need 20w Queen's College.
"I can rac nothing against, and overy reason for, Govern- ment employer to adopt a similar polley and I can only hope that this policy will be continued so that in time Gov. erament may have buildings to house their white-collar employees and the tabour class
"It can bo reasonably con. tended as a general principle that whilst the Colony must find whatever BUM neccetary to maintain internal order and security, it should not be call- ed upon to incur any liability for external defence, which at suredly is the responsibility at His Majesty's Government,
It is true that measures taken for internal security and for ex- terminal defenea may
"verlap and intersect al varinos palats, that it may be difficult to draw a clear distinction between all stems
US
expenditure for the our and those for the dilter. But I submit that all items for the Naval Porc, and for the Air Force are related ensentially to external defence unid is therefore an Imperiat respona!-
"The recognition that a person should be paid according to his ability and responsibilities E
as well as tenior officers. Raining some ground
It is suggested that commercial
Govern- wark
and I hopement shparket build houses for thly sound principle
may be members of the pubile. rnther univer, any Introduerd bafore
than its employees. 1 its acceptumes should be forrett felow the
cannot argument Let 13. upon employers."
however, assume that Govern ment is to bulld for members of th pabile. On want pringini are the members of the public to be risen for the honour of balug Governinent
orded that thes tenants? Then what the rent to be charged? it the rent is to be n ale return these tenants wil get no special benefits, and the only effect of Governinenl's e- terprise is that Goverment will
Sir Man-kam next referred to heusing="a" que tinn of vital importance to the pubile."
think." he said, "that some of the bitterness which has crept in the criticisms of Government housing polley, especially in re- and to building houses for Gov- employeds. has been crnment
luc to Inadequate appreciation of circumstances aflecting this problem.
or any FLOW
governed by In case of a
have become allords and butikler:. If however the rent is to be so fixed as to include an element of subsidy, then all I enn sny is I do not see why the taxpayers who include the humblet artisan who smokes a few cigarettes should be made to pay for this subsidy!
Fially how many houses at Oats is Government
to buthE Say, 1000 flat.. Well, on the
Privato Enterprise
bility, in any care 1 should here state that the, Unofficial Members of the Extininter Committee re
pre-
were ale of
pared to accept the Ingge
expenditure proposed for the de fence force, including its Neval and Ale units, on the clear under- standing that the matutenance of these local forces represented the full extent of the Colony's con itribution to Imperial Defence and that no further cash, contribution would be expected in adiktion.”
"Donial" Claims
to
Sir, Man-kaan referrod to long Kong's decision on the financial settlement of pre-avar abilities to the Home Government and said he was surprised that ne word of appreciatlon had been received. Sir Man-kam drew attention the resolution passed by Council asking the speeding exuminatÍGA and decision
Þion on the part of the ser. vices concerned in respect of the "denial claims.
The outstanding amounted to
to $72,730,000, incfurling clains in respect of requisitione material of $25,000,000.
Habilities
Sir Man-kam referred to the loss of the Hong Kong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Company's shipu Taishan (used as a depot ship Im the boom defence vessels at Sal Wan
hy enemy
to the present moment not a cent has been received from Government. Some 10 months hav passed since we were assured that examination of the facts was tali- ing place in consultation with thi Government, and the debt due to the Company for some three yent's after resumption of Civil Govern ment, remains unhonoured."
Domestic Promisos with a larger and more reprezen. Land many of them. Half the 225,-
"The majority of domestic basis that each flat costs $100, tative Urban Council they through 900 children up to the age of 12
old buildings sub-000 the expital sum involved i De cumbersome machinery nt were receiving no education. The premises are
rent. (Store 100 millions! expanded educational Jet, to trolled
the landlord's expenditure la "I support Government's policy pressing was
increased. say, from three to six of building home for its en~ There was need for careful times over before the war, and ployees, attention lo secondary education, slace his penultted increase in especially since the efficient fent for domestic premises is
"But I am not satisfied that working of the new Municipal enly 30 per rent On pre-war Government has made any real taumell would depend upon publie rentals, this nehitary restriction
effort to rairage private ete in rentals represents an importerprise. opinion,
tant subsidy to the cost of living att official explanations. I ran
For instance, despite by the landlord)
HOL It curts so many times more there
escape the feeling that "Far a nound public opinion
in something radically we must look
a pubile to build a house row than before wrong in the 10
operation of the ecfucated
well to the war, sufficiently
Sand monopoly. I submit that "A fair return understand the complexities of
impartist committee should bullding must be local administration,"
appointed to enquire into this Marcover.
question and to make st
and the Khe Shan (used slump in property. when there nations.”
recon-binbin and suck
as a foam at the entrance of You is no housing shortage, and when
Development Mr. Chau then refethed to the
in arge
minti breakwater. rt new buildings rentals,
caunotsidential or in or $74,000,-compete with rentals of pre-war being obstructed by the inability Kowloon was Mr. Laude eriicked the me-staggering figure"
000 for Personal Emoluments. bulldings. the the Colony's
owners of new of the parties interested to ob always six The figure was too high, he said. buildings must carry the baby'→
tain Government approval for month behind with our miörma-† ile welcomed the arrival of unless they charge such premia
The installation of water-closets. My Latale then referred to the impending departure of Mr. Gairs, he said
tem on the true state of our at the efficiency expert und believed and rent as will enable them to
The position Ind been the same The would som be able to point depreciate within a Abort time for many years. He invited n 19. M. MarDrugaji, The Cadoulati Govergent needed an Accoun- the way for a substantial reduc- the value of the building to pre-statement by Government. Saretury, the new of which, story Expert to put their methods in under this head.
Man-kam then brought up the sabi. had enter
"Nobody wants to see a reduc "A fair remuneration to an question, of time consunedin shock and had been received wife reuing on a more modern
of and understandable basis.
Government's
must be such emeleney employee
an corre: ponilence with Government. very real feeling. f regret.
him to He quoted the application, ou Mr. lale criticised the new but there is dead wood in some amount as will enable
Sir Man-kam mentioned other aspirvel he a seal dette for
accommodation Indirect taxation,
suitable June 17, 1946, by a local resident could departments They
which
he-obtain must ancial service and reial better-
pre-war liabilities of Government to his position by expending for the terms
# on which hav arhies vel
leet by cleared away." their
and mentioned the deposit with the ment, usterly tlexonl of
reasonable percentage VỀ CHÚ
of that newal of a certain Crown Lease other means of sounder finance, he
concluded with remuneration for this purpose."
Registrar of Newspapers, Sup- racial prejudice,
coull be granted which would-reme Court, of $3,000 by n mug stated.
tribute to Mr. Kennit and Mr. sible and eating an athesphere i
"It is because of the conse expire in 1951. After 3 months. fieriliness
Public Debt Sloss, and with special mentionauences and of the inter-play of after much wherever
„correspondence, the moved, he tail endeared himself have any faith in ourselves, we
Mr. Lamisle said: "Surely, if we of Mr. MacDougall,
these circumstances that large terms on which the renewal of 1o all petions of the community."
Mine Dougall's departure, employers have found it expedithe Crown Lease is to be grant esaid, was deplored by all who eat to could, without being accused of the. Bir. Landate conveyed to Mr.
communicated provide accommodation cd had not been over-borrowing, carry MacDougall met sincere appre-Deht of two or three times the ability, his knowledge
a Public knew
His him.
outstanding for thele employees. In so far to the applicant.
of local as the rent churged to the on-
"I suggest this is uns Indication elation art thanks for all he had present agure and thus relieve the conditions, and his understanding ployee does not represent a far of a serious breakdown in the
mechanism, Anual Budget of all the capital and sympathy for the Chinese, turn on the cost of the ac- Government
and represents EL that this Governmental Inertia items et ut under Public Works had made him an invaluable accommodation, Extraordinary and so enable us to set in the Colony,
subsidy to the employes, and the
does blice in the minds of the equip ourselves with, all the neces- "It with very, reat regrot Sary schools, hospitals, police that we hear of his departure. stations etc, inre expeditlusty.
He takes with him our sincery Nearly all the Items in Public
Thanks and best wishes Works Extmordinary were of future."
for his
expital nature and could be in- aneach out of Loan funds. If this were done, they would be lett a very substantial sum for E these assets and build-
any
reality neces
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Referring to the
ing up the reserve funds,
The Public Debt of $10,000,000 was costing us annually, le inter
ture
M
SIR M. K. LO Government Housing Policy Defended
There can be little doubt that by a publle loan and not out of to finance capital expenditure
now
est and sinking fund provision, current revente is in Accord just under $4,000,000 or 2.2 per with Bounc economic theory rent of estarated total revenue. But the proctient applicability of At the same time we were asked this theory to any given elreum to provide nearly $20,000,000 out stance must depend both on the of current revenue
for Public nature of the capital commit- Works Extraordinary
ment and on the degree of our By simple arithmetic It would existing burden. Undoubtedly seem that we could, without! The existing proelice of paying
further
including taxation increase, Jeverything, any
capitul borrow an additional $400,000,. items, out of current revenue. 000 to finance capital okpendi. operates in favour of posterity. Posterity may however have to ame of which would bear an Infinitely greater bur Inevitably be or J rovenua den than that, which we producing nature,
have shoulder, and I confess Mr. Landate said he would move to some sympathy with the exist an amendment in Select Commiting practice as long as it is con ice' that the $10,018,000 vate fined to reasonable limits. under Public Works Extraordinary "Our Joan Habilities Bre be deleted from the Schedule and small in relation to the Colony's the total adjusted accordingly, wealth and importance, and I Mr. Landale concluded by sny-hope that Your Excellency may In that he hoped Government be kind enough to make repre, would make representations. to scrtations to the Secretary of the Secretary of State for opproval State for increasing our borrow. to increase the Colony's barrowell can be trusted to Becide what
lug powers. Surely this Coun." ing power.
loans should. be contracted in the zeneral interests of the Colony"
Sir Man-kam referred to the emergency legislation passed on October 20, 1948. and Invitel Goverrunentk attention to the Mr. T. N. Chau said there had fact that the fishing industry
yeur
MR. T. N. CHAU-
Nood For Increate
creases.
In SchoolsTM
veen general relief when it was schema are still the subjects of and markeling of vegetables found that although an extra this legislation. There had been $20,000,000 was to be spent next complaints and criticisms of both
thin would necessitate only schemes, moderate and indirect"| tax in- Referring to the "staggering amclat"...for Personal Emolu- Mr. Chad said there could be mente, Bir Man-kam said he was 10 quarrel with the increased | convinced", that the basit pay expenditure on security. They los cost of Hving allowances rould only regret that this ex-nów path to Goverment zer- penture ruleit. quit
nts wem nó mon they bell Many Just, milegunto arid did not ore on
Lho genèrpis side.",
Goverment was not in a
urgent and worthy projects,
After referria to tho, neces-
sity of pruning all the estimates stron position to compete with submitted,
Lime. Chau said it was commerelat flims for the “ser- tiiaappointing to and that the vicem fof certain professions or only mentiona gravar daima was 157rofies, Inducemente ilum
under bounter the attractions
that donlat
The cost of Living. Allowances for inithacia the_einking! Committed had un impossible task
war basis.
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