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Chinese customs that the imports from Hong- kong increased by eleven million taels. That appears to me a fact which cannot be gainsaid. I do not think it can fairly be said either that this budget is a budget of optimism because the estimates both of expen- diture and of revenue have been framed, as I said before, on a year of extreme depression. The hon. member on my left (Mr. Gresson) raised the question of the increase shown by the Government on the gunpowder depot on Green Island and he said that the refusal of the licence which had been given for the last twenty-five years to the depot on One Tree Island wa9- -I think the terms he used were--
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-Interference with pri. vate enterprise.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, I think that the holders of that licence have little to complain of. For twenty-five years they have had practi- cally a monopoly. It was decided before I came here to build a large and expensive Govern. ment gunpowder depot within limits of the harbour. It has been for many years past urged by the Military Authorities that explosives should be within the harbour limits, and acting partly on their advice I presume it was decided, apparently with the concurrence of the Council, that that depot should be established. Having built it, it stands to reason that we should use it. In inspecting it a few days ago I found it almost empty, and on going through documente relative to the issue of that licence I found it had been granted for short periods and renewed from time to time. There was no obliga tion, either inferred or direct that it should be in any way a permanent licence. The hon. mem- ber asked me whether I would give an assurance as to the maximum amount which should be raised by the increase of light dues for the ty. phoon refuge. I do not feel myself in a position to give any such assurance. The completion of that refuge will in all probability take place some years after I have left this Colony. The taxpayer of the Colony is as much entitled to consideration as those who pay this special and I think not onerous due. He referred also to the increase of fees for medical examination of immigrants. I dealt somewhat fally with that in my remarks on the estimates and I explained that we had considered that it was the best way of raising a somewhat larger fee on immigration as a whole. Those best able to judge were con- vinced that it would not in any way interfere with immigration; that the brokers, boarding house keepers, and so on, who are the people who make the largest profit out of the immi- grant, were well able to pay the somewhat in- creased fee and it was considered that the raising of the medical fee would best effect our object. I have now replied to every question which has been raised to the best of my ability.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Hon. Mr. SLADE,-Sir, May I just make one or two remarks to correct an impression which you seem to have that the unofficial members, through the hon. member on my left (Mr. Stewart), felt that you willlingly wished to withhold certain matters from us in regard to the military contribution which you stated you had under consideration. That, Sir, was never the ides in the minds of the unofficial members. We realised that these proposals were under consideration and we are pleased to hear that this question of the unequal incidence of the military contribution this year had received your serious consideration and we hope that in fature when Your Excellency has been fully able to formulate your ideas that you will then inform us of them. One other point. connection between the military contribution and the opium question. Your Excellency said you did not consider there was any connection between the two. It appears to me, Sir, that the military contribution" is the only point on which we are directly connected with the Imperial Government and if there is any change in the opiam question then we will be directly connected with the Imperial Government. For that reason we have said we hold ourselves free to seek relief by agitating for a remission of that contribution, and at present, we offer no criticism upon it.
The
On the motion being put the Bill was read a second time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was agreed to.
THE EVIDENCE ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY-GENHEAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to extend a certain definition in the Imperial Act styled the Evidence (Colonial Stantes) Aot 1907.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and
the bill was read a second time.
The Council then went into committee to consider the Bill and, on resaming.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that it had passed through committee, and he moved that the bill by read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
REGULATION OF THEATRES ORDINANCE, The ATTORNBY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance for regulating theatres, and other places of public resort. In doing so he said-It is necessary for the public safety that some supervision should be made for regulating theatres and other places of publio resort. From time to time the public has been shocked by some terrible catastrophe which has occurred in cer sin parte of the world in a theatre or music hall as the result of fire or overcrowding. In the United Kingdom such places have to be licensed and are subject to rigid police supervision. It has been found that no such powers exist here, and the Bill proposes to require that such places shall be licensed, and that the Governor-in- Council shall have power to make regulations and authorise the issue of licences by the police or other authority. The time during which such licences is granted will be stated. This is necessary having regard to the different forms of public performances which in some cases may last a week or one night. In futare it will be necessary, if the Bill is assented to, that a licence should in every case be granted. The licenses will be subject to the safeguards which are enumerated in clause 4 of the Bill, such as the materials of the building, the seating ac- commodation, exits, overcrowding provisions against fire, and inspection by the police clause 3 of the Bill vests power in the Governor-in. Council to make regulations to meet all the
which necessary conditions
will be
pre. cedent to the granting at a licence. Fees will be prescribed in respect to each licence, and will have regard to the length of time for which the license is obtained. It has been said the term "stage play "is somewhat antiqusted, and having regard to the scope which has been given to the definition it may also seem misnomer. It has been taken from the Imperial Act, which is somewhat old, We have been obliged to enlarge the scope of its meaning. What is really required" is to include every stage entertainment, and every place where the public congregate. That being so, I think the definition aliuse is sufficiently general to include within its scope all pablic performances which take place in this Colony. The Govern meat is constituted the custodian of public safety and the Government rely upon the co-operation of the public in securing it.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the bill was read a second time.
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The Council went into committee to consider the Bill, and on Council resuming the Bill was read a third time. It was to come into opera- tion on 15th December next.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The adjourned until next l'hursday.
Council stands
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee wag then beld, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding. The following votes ware piased :-
EDUCATIONAL
The Governor recommended the Council to
vote a sum of Five thousand two hundred and eighty-one Dollars (15,281) in aid of the vote, Education, Department of Inspector of Sohoole,
Other Charg 8. Evening Continastion Clas168. CHARITABLE SERVICES
|
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Two thousand Dollars ($2,000) in aid of the vot, Charitable Services, Tang Wah Hospital.
TRE BURY V、TE,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Two hundred and seventy Dollars
[October 12, 1908.
(8270) in aid of the vote, Treasury, B.--Office of Assessor of Rates, Other Charges, for the following items
Furniture Typewriter,
*
***
***
.$ 33
235
...$270
Total
THE ESTIMATES, When the Appropriation Bill came up for consideration,
Hoa. MR. GRESSON-Under special assess. ment, I would like to know how light dues have grown to $9500)? 1 was under the im. pression that the estimate was $80,000.
lion
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—It cannot be. Hon Mr. GRES30к-The figures given in the correspondence were based on the estimate that it would extend over eleven years. It was base i on 180,000. Now you spring it up to $93,000.
The COLONIAL à BrcbetaRY-It arose in this way.
The Chamber of Commerce, the df the shipping interests, seemed to pay more attention in the correspondence which passed to ocean shipping than to river steamers. The correspondence concentrated up- on the inoressson dues on ocean going steamers. River steamers have also been increased, in fact, they pay a larger increase proportionately than besan going steamers. Somehow the pro- tagonists in the dispute did not pay any atten- tion to river steamers, and I was not going to remind them of it. (Laughter.)
Hop. Mr. GRESSON -- I BES.
miscellaneous
Hoa. Mr. SLADE-Under services there is 80 item $10,000 for transport, yet under the various headings there are allowances for travelling and so on.
The COLONIAL Secretary- The item trang- port is for the passages of officers appointed at home.: The other items are for obair and
riosha hire by individual officers.
Hon. Mr. STEWART—I should like to draw attention to the sum of $13,000 down for disinfectauts. That is a detail of the depart- ment which I thought might show a little we have learned saving in view of what from the Indian Plague Commissioners' Report. Rat poison bas gone up. Everybody will approve of that. Disinfectants might reasonably.
There was 8 come down.
time when it was thought proper to sprinkle disinfectants over walls and fore, even in the streets. In these times different views are held, and one would have thought this item might have been out down
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, The disinfec tants are used really more in special cleansing, house to house cleansing, than anything else. The days of disinfectants are not quite over.
Hoa.
Mr. MURRAY STEWART-I quite understand that some disinfectants would still be required but not that the amount should be the same as last year before this new light was thrown upon the subject.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I do not think there will be a decrease to any extent in that item because
do more are hoping to Wa cleansing. There is a large amount of stuff used in cleansing these houses. It is a fiss killer They are using a mixture of kerosine and other stuff.
Hon MB. Stewart-Have the insurance companies not objected to that?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I do not see any danger in that. It is used in India,
Hou. Dr. Ho KAI-It is inflammable. If extensively used in Chinese houses it would be dangerous. It might be well to ask the President of the Sanitary Board to investigate the matter.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—I do not think it is joflammable. There is so much soap in it. The greater part of the ingredients is soap sad not kerosine.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-The actual amount of disinfectants you can get for $13,000 is large,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-That vote has been as high as $25,000.
Hon Mr. STEWART—That was the time when they threw it about the town,
The COLONIAL Secretary-That is general cleansing. Every house has to be washed, and the materials are supplied free to the inhabitants. We get through a large quantity.
?
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-Does it include soft soap | The COLONIAL SECRETARY—Yes. Hon. Dr. Ho Kai-Then you do need it.
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