178
on
tha
|
tion.
to show
[September 21, 1007.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND that it was with great regret he had to announce endeavour during the coming year and before I great amount of discussion s: to where it to you a decline in the revenue. regret to rise again to address you on this matter to make should be, and second'y on account of the say it devolves on me to inform you that the myself fully acquainted with the question. In complicated plans which had to be prepared before the scheme could be laid before the decrease has not only been maintained but has the meantime I feel fully satisfied that the
Government. The plans which have been been progressive. The revised e-timate for the estimates have been rigtly framed on the basis
The margin for public prepared involve a cost of $1,400,000. They current year 1907 shows an increase of $200,000 of existing taxation.
are now being revised to see it We but that was due to an abnormally large probate works expenditure has not yet fallen below the
scheme which will not involve duty which fell in unexpectedly. Setting this figure which absolutely necessitates fresh taxa produce a
us in such a heavy expenditure but will aside, the estimate for 1908 shows a decrease ou
It is in the proportion of 13.2 of the total
serviceable The average for the provide
breakwater giving the original estimate of last year of $220,135. revenue of the colony. The way in which that decrease is made up is, past 12 years has been 20.76 so that it is not so substantial protection to craft and being We lost far below the average of the last twelve years. capable of development into the larger and as regards the main items, as follows:
The actual amount last year was only 11.16 of completer scheme. Apart from the promise on the opium revenue owing to the fact that
the from January to February receipts the total revenue of the colony. Moreover in in the name of the Government made by my of last
were from the year
original my opinion it is not a convenient moment predecessor I submit that a second shelter for
the introduction of
mall craft is most essential in this colony new taxation farm and not from the new and reduced for
which depends so largely on its shipping farm. This decrease represents a sum of when the colony has been suffering from a
wave of depression, and from the results of the trade and is subject to cyclonic storms. 8098,000. On the Post Office again there was a loss of $103,00 which was due chiefly typhoon of last year and also from the results have placed on the estimates this year this of the redundancy of subsidiary coin. I myself comparatively small sum of $25,000 but I to the enactment of the recent convention at
am an optimist in these matters and I think that shall not hesitate to ask your asseat to an Rome which increased the bulk that could be
increase of the vole either frota current carried for postage and this hits us very hard the present depression will be short lived. because many of the letters going home a e over. Turning now to revenue the decrease last year, expenditure or even from the reserve fund, if
this year and next year appear
the circumstances permit. That would be weightand have paid double postage. Through the increased preference for the Siberian route we also that the sources of our revenue are somewhat with the object of carrying it out in a reason- it up for a number lost. We are charged 9:8 per pound for transit precarious. In the matter of opium, which able time and not banging
of revenue, of years. Turning to other items of the public ebarges by that route and we only obtain 1/4 in forms a very important item
may refer to the animal depôts return. In the third place there was the in the new farm has been leased for $588,000 works scheme,
than the former contract. Hon. at Kowloon which are represented by $52,000. creased interest on the Kowloon Railway, that less
members are aware that
are oir- These are very urgent and are necessitated by there is to say, the interest which accrues on cash balances is reduced by about $20,000 on the cumstances which may even involve us in railway construction. The station yards and estimate of last year. This year the land further loss in future even supposing the action sidings interfere with the present site, and it is sales have been taken at the fired rate of of the Imperial Government does not involve ns imperative that we find a new site for the depot Moreover when the rail- $30,000 per annum. The ordinary expenditure in immediate loss. Secondly the output of and slaughterhouse.
way is finished in all probability & very large this year on the original estimate was $3,221,040 subsidiary coin previously furnished us with a and
Now there is an proportion of the railway trade will con ist of the revised estimate for the current revenue of $120,000 per year. year reduced this by $95,533. This was chiefly expense for the reduction or demonetisation of cattle and sheep and we should therefore have due to two items, $50,000 on the loan account superfluous coin of $36,000. Thirdly the Post ample room and a good shelter for them. the Cffice, which in most countries is a lucrative Therefore, although our present scheme is and $30,000 on pensions consequent on higher rate of exchange on those sums which source of revenue, barely pays its way. The only to construst comparatively small depots, we have enclosed a large area of ground have been remitted home. The ordinary reasons I have already partly explained. They
in order to make farther extensions when they expenditure for next year is $5,355,631 which are due to the new convention by which we are is an increase of $134,591 on last year's bound to lose in transit charges, then there is shll be required. The land office at Taipo accounts for $9,00), $15,0 10) was voted for this original estimate and of $230,144 on the Siberian route and again the cost of the revised estimate of last year. This increase agencies which we support in the different last year. It has not beeu begun. The market In the fourth place the at Quarry Bay was also voted $15,000 and the includes $88,500 increased interest the treaty ports of China.
cur revenue is explained by work is now in progress. It is estimated that Kowloon railway, of $50,000 for a fire engine precarions nature of cu
the sum of $4,000 is required to complete the and of $36,000 for the redemption of subsidiary the fact that a certain proportion is based
work. The remaining on land sales which are not fixed or even
Luildings in the coins. The rest is chiefly automatic and arises
The railway first schedule of
all urgently from the growing interests of & pros permanent sources of revenue.
When required. Under the beading of oom. The estimated revenue for
means increasing expenditure. also perous colony.
munications the vote for new roads is the this colony has passed through the present next year, including land, is $6,227,890 which
88 me аз last year with the exception of is less than the original estimate last difficult period I think we shall gain an increas-
That is less
of raising Des Voeux Road, $17,000 than the ed prosperity when that railway brings more year by $220,135 and revised estimate of last year by $423,368 | trade to the ort, and when the revenue is placed also is necessitated by the construction of the The Meanwhile I railway involving alterations in levels. which is chiefly accounted for by the large on
permanent bases. can look with satisfaction to the vote for drainage is the same as last year. The revenue The estimated
is think we probate duty.
to the establish. permanent marks for traverse survey in the less than the revenue actually realised in 1:06 decrease of plague and
New Territory are continued from last year. by $807,121. Allowing a mergin of $49,359 ment or prospective establishment of very
The Moreover there is a vote for ferro-concrete we get the sum of $822,900 available for public important industries in the colony.
piers for Green Island, new Harbour Office, works expenditure. During the current year flour mills have been, I understand, a success
and Kowloon. The cost of providing a shelter the amount set aside for public works was and we have in prospect large mining indus-
for Blake Pier was provided last year bat was $1,210,700. The actual amount spent in the pre- tries which, I hope, will bring additional pro- vious year was $1,503,789. It is clear therefore sperity to the colony. I think we should look not speat. We are placing upon the estimates that we must reduce our expenditure on works by in this colony to a revenue based on industrial $20,000 which are estimated to completit. It was 8. ggested that there should be waiting about one-third unless we are prepared to raise enterprise and not entirely to our position another loan or to increase taxation. Now, as a large port. I turn now to the expand. rooms and other luxuries but I am afraid they
must wait for that for future years.
The gentlemen, I think that a fresh loan is in theiture and will deal first with the scheme of
cattle depot, $5,0 10, is not very urgeat and may circumstances of this Colony inadmissible | publ e works which we propose next year. (applause). We already have the old loan of
perhaps be deferred. The compensation under £341,800 upon which we are paying sinking
the Public Health and Buildings Ordinace is the same as last year. Albany filter be is, con. fand and interest. We also have the new loan of £1,143,933 and we become annually liable
tinued from last year, represent $35,000, and for a larger sum in prospective interest in
the Kowloon water works $14,000, while the vote last year was $266,000. The Tytamtak proportion to the progress of the railway. The
first section is continued from last year and relation of this advance to that loan I will presently explain. In the second place the
requires $15,000 to complete it. laneous water works are the same as last year. reason why I think that a loan is inadmissible
I have dealt somewhat in detail with the scheme at present is the fact that our revenue is based I will deal later in
of public works for the next year and I will not on very precarious sources.
travel through the estimates fo each department. more detail with that point. In the third place
Though it is an easy thing, it would be a very I think there is no work of sufficient par-
tedious performance. I think it better to gira amount urgency as to demand fresh taxation.
time for the unofficial members to study these I will allude to that mors especially in consider. ing the different works which we propose for
estimates in detail and discuss any detail on the the coming year. In presenting the estimates
second reading of the bill when either myself or the Colonial Secretary will be glad to give last year my predecessor also discussed the question of a loan and he spoke in the same
any explaination on items which are not self sense that I do myself and i think that the
explanatory. There are one or two item which arise out of these estimates and this is the majority of the Council will probably agree
usual and convenient occasion for me to make with me on this point. (Applause.) Turning
a few observations in respect of them. In the to the alternative of new taxation, Sir Matthew
first place the Sanitary Department which has Nathan in speaking on this subject, said or
boou the subject of public comment, and is of rather inferred that the colony was lightly laxed and that he would by no means promise
the very greatest importance to this colony. It that additional taxation would not be imposed. I
has continuously occupied my thoughts before have not been long enough in the colony to grasp
and since I arrived in the colony. In the first will be my
place I would like to add my testimony to that all these difficulties, but it
|
more
I
have very carefully considered each department and I think that these items which I have selected are the ones which are most urgent and most important. In regard to continuing works we have the Law Courts and the Post Office, To forming the two most important items, these has been allocated the sums of $100,000 and $149,900 which is as much, I am informed, as cau be spent in the coming year. I fear we cannot count upon their completion for at least two more years.
On account of these two
large sums I think it would be impossible to begin the second section of the Tytam Tuk re- must postpone as well as servoir which we
of any large scheme for the resumption insanitary properties for future years. The last actual deficit of water occurred in 1902. Since that time 231 million galloos have been added to our water supply. The increase of the population from 1991 to 1906 only amounts to 45,000, so proportionately I think we have very considerably increased our water supply in pro- portion to the increase of our population. There is one item in the vote for next year to which I would invite your particular attention, to the typhoon shelter, (applause). Sir Matthew Nathaa promised there would be no undue delay and that it was intended to make a beginning this year. The delay has been occasioned, firstly, by the
|
works a re
Misool-