320
(Daily Press, 16th April.)
As was thought probable, the election by the ratepayers of two representatives to serve on the Sanitary Board yesterday re- solved itself into a farce. Some fifteen gentlemen assembled at the City Hall at the
|
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
stated hour, but no nominations were made. After an appeal to Dr. HARTIGAN to stand again and a brief but interesting discussion by Messrs. G. W. F. PLAYFAIR, JAW. NORTON KYSHE, and R. C. WILcox, who between them brought out the position of affairs very clearly, the meeting broke up. The ratepapers by their action no doubt wished to convey their sense of the absolute infitility of the Sanitary Board as at present constituted and controlled. It is in these cifcumstances very unfortunate that a larger and more representative body of ratepayers did not make a point of presenting them- selves at the City Hall, for we fear that it will now be said that the fasco was due simply to that fatal apathy which envelopes public affairs generally in Hong- kong. It was most desirable, if a protest was to be made in this form, that it should be well backed by numbers, so as to avoid any such misunderstanding as now seems probable. The result, however, is in any case the same, that popular représentation on the Sanitary Board is at an end. The Unofficial element is all but extinct; it will cause little wonder if shortly it should be al- together extinct. We shall be deprived of the pleasure of reading so much of the academic discussions in which the Sanitary Board has leeu wont to indulge. For the present, that appears to be all that is likely to happen. Time and the growth of a strong public opinion in Hongkong alone can modify the position.
46
(6
[April 20, 1901.
of Mr LADDS on the prospects of cattle- breeding in the New Territory (p. 47 of the Report) should be read. We shall, however, return to this subject in a future issue,
the new Governor of Natal, | March, 1900, by the Hon. T. H. WHITE- | tion with the centre of business, should have hose name and work in our sister colony will HEAD on behalf of 152 ladies of this colony. | a notable effect. All further expansion
be gratefully remembered, recently The enormous rises in the price of fish, in the same way need to be accompanied by urged the giving of leading Crown Colonies beef, mutton, eggs, poultry, rice, ground- tram and ferry service, if it is to bẹ of real are enough to make use to the colony. The fifth and sixth re- greater freedom, and a free hand in muni- nut oil, and firewood i cipal matters. The colony of Hongkong has even those whose income is least likely to commendations are less important, but they not yet attained to that position of freedom feel the hardship, pause and reflect what is will, we should imagine, arouse no opposi- prevailing in Singapore. Instead of pro- to happen in the future. Europeans and tion. It will be noted, however, that the gressing in municipal freedom, recent de- natives of all races are effected by the rise Commission is of the opinion that the pre- velopments point to the contrary. Therefore, and as indications point to a continuance sent market rents are not excessive, and have to be sincerely hoped that to-day the rather than an abatement of the trouble not contributed to the rise in prices. The ratepayers will give an unanimous and strong any steps which can be taken should receive last recommendation, which is contained in decision, supporting the action of Dr. the most earnest consideration of all con- the ninth, tenth, and eleventh sections of Hartigan and his late colleagues on this cerned. It will have been seen that the the Report, deals with the encouragement Commission arrives at the conclusion that of stock-breeding, and vegetable-growing in important question.
the main causes of this increase of prices the New Territory, and is in a way the most have been, apart from “natural fluctuations important of all." For this reason we must of supply and demand," five in number, postpone its consideration for another oc- viz. (a) depreciation of silver; (b) in-casion, as it is impossible to do justice to it creased cost of rice; (c) West River piracy; in a few lines. The New Territory, as it now (d) increased rents; (e) enforcement of is, is the colony's "white elephant," except sanitary laws. The last item, it seems to from a political and strategical point of view. us, is hardly clear, and the Commission It brings in practically nothing in return vouchsafes no explanation. The enforce, for its cost to Hongkong, and to the non- ment of sanitary laws by checking over official mind the slowness of its exploitation crowding helps to send up rents; and is inexplicable. Without denying that the regulations as to the slaughter of cattle and Land Court and Police work is being done sale of food, by limiting the supply, heighten very throughly, we do not think that it is prices, which we take to be what the Report too early to consider such a scheme as the The remarks refers to. The other causes are plain Commission put forward. enough. With regard to the price of rice, the evidence of Mr. A. W. BEEWIN before the Commission on the 23rd July may be read. Mr. BREWIN said: “When the price "of rice rises, the price of everything in It is satisfactory that the time of the "China goes up. There is then less poultry Food Supply Commission and the money It devoted to it were not spent entirely in vain. "and less pork in the country.
is a sort of extra tax on the people if they The report is not an ambitious production, have got to pay more for their rice, and when we consider the months which elapsed 'they won't keep the animals if they have between the appointment of the Commission "got to buy rice for them." The Report and the forwarding to the Government of goes on to allude to the effect of the increased the result of its labours. But at least it naval and military forces in Hongkong and embodies concisely an amount of material Manila, and then touches on a most important calling for serious attention, and there is point on which the Commission was able to no doubt that some, if not all, the recom throw no little light. We refer to the mendations made must ultimately be existence of a "ring" to keep up the price adopted. of meat. Anyone reading the accounts of the examination of TUNG WING and LEE SING last July will admit that the Commis- sion does not put the case by any means too strongly in the sixth section of the Report. (Daily Press, 19th April.): In his examination Mr. LADDS, Colonial Last month, when writing of the new Praya Veterinary Surgeon, cautiously admitted Reclamation scheme put forward by the having "heard sundry rumours of people Hon. C. P. CHATEE and after certain modi- who put up prices, and that several Euro-fications approved by the local Government, peans have been interested in the beef trade we expressed our confidence that the holders bere." He had also "seen something in the of Marine Lots would recognise that in papers about it, but never had any actual supporting the scheme they are consulting. evidence." Such actual evidence is practic at the same time the Colony's interests and ally impossible to obtain, but the presump their own. On Wednesday, a representative tion, founded on other evidence before the meeting of lot-holders gave their full support Commission, leaves no doubt in the reader's to the scheme, authorised the Government mind as to the existence of this most serious to proceed forthwith with the preliminary surveys and plans, and undertook to contri- evil, a combination to keep up prices.
It will be seen that the Commission ad- bute in proportion to their marine fron- mits its failure to elicit by means of its tages to the expenses thus incurred by the enquiries any practical remedies of real Government. So ready a response must be value, but its recommendations nevertheless gratifying to Mr. CHATEE, and it is satis- deserve full attention. We have already factory to see that there is no opposition to written, more than once, on the necessity the present plan, whereas the scheme of for increased market accomodation, and we 1887 met with most hitter protests und thercolumn, and thereis no need for fur-are glad to see the Commission put this uncompromising hostility in many quarters. mmment. The Report being at last made suggestion in the forefront of the pro- The ultimate success of the earlier reclama public, nearly eleven months after the Com grainme. The recommendation to drive out tion has disarmed opposition. It is gener niission was appointed, and little less than the vendors of tinned food and such stores ally recognised that the increase of space four months after it was forwarded to the aims at the same object, and is prompted available for building on this island is one Government, it remains to consider what by commonsense. The suppression of of the vital necessities of Hongkong. The the Commission has been able to discover piracy requires no support : its necessity has lot-holders, being men of commonsense, see vary important question: The table been recognised for years past. The fourth too that they stand to gain largely by
rise in the wholesale and recommendation is also one which appeals consenting to this public of common articles in the to the sense of everyone in the colony. The resolutions carried at Wed
years fully bears out the The new Praya Re:lamation Scheme is meeting will now be forwarded to the unfrérsal complaints about the price of a step in the desired direction, and when Government without loss of time, living, culminating in the petition presented it is followed, as it must ultimately be, comes the last step before the actual work the Legislative Council on the 29th by adequate means of rapid communica, can be commenced, Mr. Charan Anti-
THE REPORT OF THE FOOD· SUPPLY COMMISSION.
(Daily Press, 16th April.) The Report of the Food Supply Commission, signed by Messrs. E. OSBORNE, A. M. MAR #HALL, F. MAITLAND, FUNG WA CHUN, and Dr. W. HARTIGAN, which was published in the Government Gazette of Saturday last, is an interesting document, even if it brings nothing very startling to light. The reason for the extraordinary delay in the Report is set out in the letter of the above-mentioned gentlemen to Mr. FRANCIS, K.C., and that of Mr. FRANCIS in reply, which we reprint to-day
NEW PRAYA RECLAMATION
SCHEME.