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[October 25, 1909.
tion which is to be used for railway purposes should be so treated.
HIS EXCELLENCY-it was not the question of the land resumption but a prior question having regard to several lakhs of dollars.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-No, sir. I referred to $374.000. In a nutshell my contention is that the railway station site should go to the capital account of the railway-(hear, hear)--and not be paid for as is apparently intended out of revenue. If you do not debit the cost of your railway station to the total cost of the railway you will arrive in time at an inaccurate cost of the railway
HIS EXCELLENCY--I had already apprehend- ed the point regarding land resumption, but I thought there was something the hon. member said just preceding those remarks However, as regards land resumption the facts are these. Land was resumed for the terminal station of the railway at Kowloon and the entire. cost is debited to the railway. The Goy- ernment, however, has considered it advisable to buy a neighbouring piece of land which in a few years may be necessary for extension. If the railway had been constructed by a private company they would have had to pay for all the Crown land which has been transferred Moreover, as without charge to this railway. the railway will become a government depart- ment it would be improper for it to hold lands (und receive rents for them) which are not in The land actual occupation by the railway. which the Government has acquired is piece of crown land like any other adjoin- ing piece of Crown land near the railway. If and when the rail ay should require this piece bought it will be transferred to the railway accounts and shown as part of the construction This procedure is common in my
I think hon." experience on all railways. members will agree with me that to debit the railway with a piece of land which it is not about use and may not use for a considerable number of years would be incorrect. The matter was referred to the Secretary of State and he entirely agreed with the view I took. (Applause.) The Bill was then read a second time, and referred to the Finance Committee.
account.
to
4
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND In regard to the increase alluded to in ut par, there is still the query as to whether it the railway, I have already explained more would wholly drive out subsidiary Chinese than once that the estimate of $8,000,000 first coinage. However, this is not an occasion on framed by the Chief Engineer did not in- which to go into this subject with great de- clude several considerable items which have liberation. But the proposals which have been since been added, and have increased the esti- made by the hon. member shall have the mate. In regard to the Postal Agencies, I am most careful consideration of the Govern-
will ro unable as yet to give you definite informationment, and I have no doubt we I have received a number of replies from the coive information from outside as to how The various Treaty Ports, and some agree to pay the they are regarded by the community. amount for which they have been asked, while hou. member on my left (hon. Mr. Gressou) others do not. In reply to the questions raised a point regarding the amount of the concerning the Observatory, I have been in vote, under the head Miscellaneous Services communication with His Majesty's Minister Hon. members are aware that the sums provided in Peking on the subject of the installa- in the Estimates, more especially the "Pensional tion of a wireless telegraphy station on the Emoluments," are never fully spent, for Pratas Island, and I may say I have con- vacancies in appointments, absences of officials siderable hope that the representation have on leave on half pay, and similar causes give made will produce the result we desire. The rise to a credit balance. This credit balance is subject of the institution of a wireless station available to
unforeseen expenditure on this island also is now under consideration, sanctioned under Financial Minutes presented The Referring to the military contribution, I am very
to Council at almost every meeting,
BO provided for, if it glad to hear what has been said by the various expenditure
does unofficial members, for I gather that there is a not belong to any special vote on these unanimous feeling that the contribution is Estimates, is usually included under the not excessive, though they consider as I do, that Miscellaneous vote. In my opinion that is the method by which it is levied is unsatisfac- to some extent an improper procedure unless tory. I said, when speaking last year, that I the amounts are small. Items of importance had given considerable study to the subject, should be entered as new heads in the statement end of the financial and it occurred to me that the incidence of accounts at the would better achieve the object in view year. It is in order to small amounts when it was instituted if it formed should be debited
carry ont the this principle that
vote by portion of the margin or difference between
be rednced from year would ordinary expenditure and ordinary revenue,
$200,000 and I said I had not at that date quite to 5,00 and is explained in my speech decided whether or not to submit my it is not a question of retrenchment. It is view to the Secretary of State. As a matter simply a question as to how itens of unforeseen of fact, in order, as I considered, to make expenditure shall be shown at the end of the year. my argument complete, I desired informa- I hope I have made myself clear. The fact of an excess shown under that vote in past years is tion of the amount paid for military defence in various other Crown Colonies of the Empire. in no sense indicative that the total Budget for addressed a number of letters to these Colonies, the one year was exceeded. We have a large which have been, for the most part, very long in margin
year accruing chiefly replying. When, however, I received news that from the personal emolument excess. the Secretary of State was about to take up the garding the question of beacons at the Dongles question and appoint a Commission, I again went and Bunansiah rocks and the alternative sug- into te subject and I have been occupied with gestion of a beacon at Maiwan in the Capsuimun them for the lastfew days. I intend, probably by Pass, this will receive fullest consideration next mail, to submit suggestions for considera- before any decision is taken on the subject.
LIQUORS ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. tion by the Commission which the Secretary of I did not mean to infer when I referred to the
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second State is appointing. I don't think it would probable expenditure on beacons that any definite serve much interest to appoint a local committee decision on this point had been taken. I heard reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to In doing to report on the question, because the report with very great interest what the hon. member on amend the Liquors Ordinance, 1909. would in all probability arrive too late. I hardly the right at the end of the table (hon. Mr. Stew-so he said-In this Bill, sir, I propose to effect needed the reminder, which the hon. member art) had to say on the question of local news- two urgent amendments in the Ordinance re- of the Chamber of Commerce was kind enough papers, and to what he said there is nothing cently passed. A case has been brought t› the to give me, that the subsidiary coinage question for me to add. The Government welcomes notice of the Government where contracts for the sale of intoxicating liquor were entered is a difficult one. Up to that point we are all intelligent and well-meant criticism. (Applause.) agreed, and although
We on many
into before the 17th September, 1909, the date do not desire that it should be ab- other points we are equally, I think, agreed sent, but we desire that the criticisan of the passing of the Ordinance. Necessarily on the radical principles laid down by my should as far as possible b based on accurate in these contracts contained no reference to pay- hon. friend Mr. Osborne. When I say the formation, and since I have been in this Colony ments of customs duties. Clause 3a of the amend- radical principles, I refer, of course, to those I have extended to all members of the Press an ing Bill requires that a purchaser should pay duty larger principles which he enunciated of invitation to ascertain the facts of a case before and any additional charges for landing, storing, etc. As a matter of fact the Council has before the absolute necessity of having a coinage cir- they dealt with it when they desired to do so. culating at par, and so forth. Whether the fact If they have not availed themselves of that it a new clause which has been substituted for that the ten-cent piece has not the same pur- opportunity and have in consequence published 3a in the Bill as originally drafted. The chasing power that it had is due to what we statements which wero inaccurate the fault amended clause, I think, is a more practical way The other call the coinage question, or whether it does does not lie with the Government. I entirely of effecting the object in view.
case of con- not to a large extent depend
clause 3b makes provision in on many
concur with what was said by the hon, mem-
for tracts
sale of
paid. liquors duty economic causes
well is a
of ber that the constant villification, or, at any matter cpinion. Whether redemption at par ifrate, depreciation of the Colony is not conducive The substituted section has been adopted from possible would be a complete solution, and to the dignity of the Government in the the Imperial Acts of 1901 and 1902, which are would drive out Chinese coinage from this eyes of those who read those papers which later than the Customs Consolidation Act of Colony, is also a matter on which I think ure circulating through China and the neigh- 1876. It is proposed by clause 3 of the till to all aro not agreed. But the important bouring Colonies. (Applause.) I regretted very repeal section 9 of the principal Ordinance. I part of the hon. member's speech referred much in this connection to see a day or understand it was never contemplated by this to what he called the creation of a new two ago that the judge of His Majesty's clause to interfere with the private importer of subsidiary coinage.. That suggestion I made Court at Shanghai had to give it as his opinion liquor, and from section 9 it seems it will be myself and discussed three years ago in that if some remarks in Hongkong papers necessary for him to hold a licence before England before I came to this Colony, and two concerning a trial had been made within the obtaining a removal permit. The section was, or three days ago I had an extremely interesting jurisdiction of his Court, they would have I conversation on this very subject with the hon. called for serious notice. The hon. member on member at the end of the table, when my left (hon. Mr. Grosson) raised a point with discussed this very proposal I am in the same regard to the expenditure on the railway which 'position as my hon. friend; that is, that I would I regret to say was unable to distinctly hear sooner give this matter further consideration, or to catch the drift of, and my hon, friend on The objection which has been raised to the pro- my left was unable to inform me. If it is a posal is that it is an immoral oue; that it matter on which you desire that I should make means repudiation. The argument on the other a statement for your information, I shall be glad hand is that the coins were taken from the to do so if you will be so good as to repeat what Colony by China for her own purposes and you said. without our invitation and that they have been used by her for her own pur-
and poses and depreciated by
that we are not therefore responsible for redemp- tion. It is a very debateable point. Even if a new coinage were introduced, which circulated
as
differ We
use
we
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Hon. Mr. GRESSON-- What I wanted to state was that it appeared to me that if the interest on the money borrowed to build the railway went to the capital account of the railway it was quite correct. Similarly this land resump-
understand, to impose an additional check on the unlawful sale of liquor by unlicensed per sons. The section has been found to be an undue interference with the trade of the port and the Government proposes to repeal it and to introduce legislation to deal with unlicensed importers. A further clause will be submitted or part to the Council to allow rebates allowances in respect of duty paid by the Navy and Army. When Council goes into Committee and comes to that clause I will be prepared to explain.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I am very glad of the
hon. explanation given by the
Attorney- General with regard to clause 3 of the Bill now before the Council, in which it is