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BRITAIN FRANCE AND THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
and this the more so that the supply became not one for private adjustment, but compulsory, and so of necessity carried the light of taxation as contrasted with indivi- dual bargaining.
[February 18, 1904. difficulty or friction, and provides for each businesses hitherto considered as of right interest having its due share of represent-associated with insurance an ì other finan- (Da ly Press, 11th February.)
ation. For the due carrying out of the cial associations. The Buxton Urban Though no news has yet come direct from practical business of the Municipality & Council would go beyond even this: they London confirming the announcement we council of nine is annually elected, who desire to purchase from the Duke of Devon- published yesterday from Singapore that au form the executive, but who have no power shire the mineral-water baths and manage agreement has been reached between. Eng of themselves to initiate any business, for them as a municipal concern, whilst Ealing land and France to offer mediation between any regulation binding on the community, wishes to take up the busines of electric Russia and Japan after the first decisive or levy any taxes, all these being the pret power supply, provide an overhead system engagement, there is good reason to believe rogative of the ratepayers in public meet- of electric tramways, restrict the overhead that the statement will prove correct. ing assembled, a prerogative jealously wires of other people, and supply electric Whether the belligerents will accept the guarded. Now it so happened that in the fittings-in fact undertake on a wholesale offer is quite another matter. We presume year 1893 a private company formed for the scale the business of universal electric con- the information must have reached Singapore purpose of electric lighting under a charter tractors. - from Indo-China, where the possibility of granted by the Municipality, found itself These are only a few of the latest develop- France being embroiled in the quarrel bas in difficulties, and offered its plant at what ments of this latest phase of municipal been viewed with no little concern. This seemed at the time a reasonable rate to the rading, but they are sufficient to show that uneasiness has also been apparent in community. A feeling of dissatisfaction with the matter is rapidly becoming one of grave political circles in the French capital, regard to the local Gas Company, which had importance. It is undeniable that certain and a month ago it was believed in up to that time had a practical monopoly of undertakings in connection with municipa "certain usually well-informed quarters public lighting, prevailed generally through-lities must as a choice of evil be under- in Paris that Russia would not be unwilling out the community: a meeting of ratepayers taken by the municipality itself. It would for France to suggest international inter-
was called, and after a prolonged discussion be quite within the power of a corporation, vention in the quarrel. Having regar to the Council was directed to purchase the for instance, to save a good deal of money the immense amount of French capital undertaking, with all its rights and belong. by collecting its taxes by contract, but the invested in Russia, it can readily be underings. It was in the early days of electric objections to farming taxes are 80 stood that this is a role which France would lighting, and the plant soou showe itself | strong-objections, be it remarked, much prefer to play. France cannot afford inadequate; and here came in the inherent founded on actual experience-that to be drawn into a war with Japan. We weakness of municipal administration no one in modern times has been found notice that the Liberté a month ago gave Rather than make a clean breast of it, and hold enough to suggest such a method expression to the fear that if France joined report to the ratepayers that the plant was of collection. So the construction of roads her ally in the fight, Japan would be antiquated and inadequate, the Council and ways has also recommended itself as a almost certain to seize Indo-China "ather inaugurated a petty hand-to-mouth policy; fit undertaking to he carried out by munici “than run her head against a brick-wall by new engines and machines were purchased palities. As a general rule again, the endeavouring to land troops in May from time to time, as chance offered or cir- supply of water, involving considerable churia." Japan of course culd only do
cunistane 28 seemed t require, but no interference with outside interests, has been this with England's assistance.
If general plan was attempted towards a grad- generally found easiest of accomplishment France were actively supporting Russia, ual renewal, nor did these odd parchases fit when undertaken by the municipality itself Japan by the terms of the alliance would in with one another or in any way increase receive the support of England, and a seizure the utility of the entire. So little was this of the French Colony would not, in that event, comprehended by the Council, that a few prove a difficult operation. But France years ago in their annual report to thrite does not appear to have entertained the payers, they actually took cre lit to them- idea of actively assisting Russia in a fight: selves that they had twenty-six engines at This last consideration, as to whether a as far as is known her efforts have been in their lighting station employed in the dis- supply is to be optional or enforced, though the direction of securing a peaceful solution tribution of the lighting currents! The even it can hardly be carried to its extreme of the difficulties, and not uutil negotiations natural consequence of all this was on the logical limits, affords in the minds of were broken off have we heard of any pre- one band that the lighting was inefficient, many the reasonable limit at which munici- parations on the part of Franc to strengthen and on the other that the indebtedness of pal trading shoull ceise.
Thus gas may her forces in the Orient. The statement the community on account of the Electric fairly be he d to rest on the borderland, 80 that England and France have agreed to Lighting Department was found to be that the propriety of the manufacture and offer mediation a ter the first decisive engage-growing to dangerous proportions. At first, supply being un lertaken by a municipality inent strikes us as being inherently probable, when the Council under instructions from the may well be left to decision in each indivi- for England could not view with com- community took over the supply of electric-dual case. So in the minds of most political placency the ruin of her ally any more ity, there were no outside firms prepared to than France could afford to watch Russia undertake the necessary work of wiring and offering a protracted and costly resistance providing fittings, and as a consequence the to a victorious Japan.
Council found it essential to import the re- quired materials and fittings. Of late years, with the progress of electricity uot only in the settlements, but throughout the Em- pire, a number of firms are prepared to undertake the business of supplving fittings of all sorts. The question has thus eutered ou a new phase, and becomes simply one of the advisability or the reverse of a muni cipality entering on a trading competition with its coustituents, facilities being equal for either. Now it is quite true that at the moment many municipalities in Great a mitter of fact must fall into Britain, and to a lesser extent elsewhere, do the hands of a paid official class, wanting as enter into many businesses hitherto not they do the great element of private success, considered fit subjects for the investment of immediate private interest, cannot be carried public funds of any description; and if we out so economically as private enterprises of look into the private bills already inten·led similar nature. Recent disclosures of the to be presented to Parliament during the methods of municipal finance certainly coming session we shall see that the ten-bear out this contention. Apart from, and dency is growing. Thus we find the Leyton beyond all this, there remains the question Urban Council, not content with applying of how far a municipality is justified in for po vers to construct tramways, proposing to deal in electric fittings, and to acquire, hold, and exercise patent rights. They also seek powers to provide recreation-grounds and refreshment-rooms, provide bands and organise games. Some of the Councils propose to go in for pension and retirement schemes which seem closely treading on
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MUNICIPAL TRADING AT
SHANGHAI.
(Daily Press, 8th February.) An interesting discussion took place re- cently in Shanghai on the much-debated ques- tion of the proper limitations of municipal trading. The constitution of the Shanghai Municipality, developed as it was from slender conditious, has become crystallised on lines almost unique. The authority of the body of voters is direct and expressed in public concourse, where the citizens cast their votes, not as indiv duals, but according to the interests each represents. Thus au individual paying taxes on his residence in his own name would be entitled to one vute in respect thereto; but he may also as re sident partcer represent a mercantile firm, also paying taxes, in which case he has a vote in respect of this second interest; and furthermore he may be chairman or man- aging director of a local corporation or society, paying taxes as a separate institu- tion, in which case as the representative of that interest he would be entitled to an other vote. In appearance complicated, in practice the system is found to work without
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economist: thre seam many and grave ob- jections to the municipality undertaking the working of purely voluntary concerns, such as tramways, tilephones, &c. Here the municipal venture comes into direct conflict with private enterprise. No one needs to ride on a tramway if otherwise inclined; and no one needs to send a telephonic message if be have any objection to do so. The usual explanation offered for the establishment of municipal enterprises of this nature is that taxation is relieved by the amount of the
Here profit earned. again comes in the practical objection that municipal ventures of the sort, which as
competing with the earnings of its con stituents; all are agreed that no municipal ity is concerned, or should be concerned, in advancing any private interest; sound finance also seemingly forbids a similar detrimental interference. As yet it may be that the loss to private interests is compira tively insignificant, but if municipal "trad-