Page
LEGISLATIVE
HONGKONG
COUNCIL.
.
the fortunes that have been made in this Colony, the reason that European merchants come to this Colony is because its geographical position makes it favourable to trade, and if it is also a vulnerable position it follows you must pay more for its defence. I should concede, that
collectively taxpayer either individually at something like 50 million sterling, you would not be very far from the mark, and tust, divided
With
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative fore WSU I can speak personally of star: aiready been too much delay in this maternity ench as in the United Kingdom put the material property owned by
Council was held yesterday at the Connoil Chamber.
The following were present:---
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, FREDERICA Лонк DEALITLY K.C.M.G., C.B., D.B.O.
Sia LUGARD,
the
by the military contribution, givosa rate of 0.2
out
tho
no taint of special loading shall characterine Lot a-tow; harbour of refuge P" To that the in England. Now the Arst dißealty that nog pot regard to the question of defence,
geographiacy of defense depends COLONEL C. W. R. ST. JORN, R.E. (THE this argument I have puror 25 per cent, the necessary, plena and estimates can be pro- unit? It appears to me that to divide the gross power, and upon the value of the territory to be
OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS).
Hen, Mr. C. CLEMENTI (Colonial Secretary). Hou Mr. C. G. ALA BARTER (Attorney General).
Hon. Mr. A. M. THossov (Colonial Tres warer).
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director Public Works).
of.
of interent at four por cent
on
its
Hon. Mr. A. W. Brewin (Registrar-General}. | estimato sets it down at $275,000 000, which is factor, and I think that it will be á disgrace/to/toa and other articles both of food and luxury point on which I find myself in fail agreement
Hon. Captain F. W. LYONS (Captain-Super. intendent of Police),
Hon. Dr. Ho Kt, M.B., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. WEI Yu, C.M.G.
Hon. Mr. H. E. Pourock, K.C.
Hon. Mr. E. A. REWETT.
Hon. Mr. C. MONTAQUE ED.
Hon Mr. C. H. Ross.
Mr. R. H. Chorus (Clork of Cancils).
MINUTES.
and confirmed
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Your Excel iency directed me not to lay on the table to-day the financial minutes mentioned on the agenda (No. 32 to 35) because you thought it would be a convenience to hon. members if in futuro tnuncial minutes were presented in the form of Committee will be only called together onde a quarter instead of after almost every meeting of the ouncil That is the practice elsewhere, and it is hoped it will be found convenient.
sohodales.
and it
to
evil
fure.dofence. I think, in statistica of this
of
kara also investments on the other sident the no count, such as the Uganda railway, which was built out of a consolidated fund of five millions sterling and has never bon remunerative. All these questions must be taken into considera. tion, and I will not pursue it farther, for it loads into a zo of diffenlties. But even if we onld get figures of incidence of taxation in any ono State or community I will ask you how we
the .Colony. I am myself in diffenlt position in this matter, because, as you know from my reply to questions to the hon member at our last meeting. I in-
papere askod formed you that the Secretary of State depre- and calculations. esteil my laying on the table the for which contained my That being so, it is impossible for me to set out at large those views,
That means that the erroris-amounted to £1,000,000,000 sterling, grace. We are simply saking in the interests ) cnn contrast those with a community no hope. 1908, I gave then the debate in Ootobor,
PAPERA.
cont. of the
of ratepayers for what is fair and just. Aplessly different to the one we are living in at present. Here about 94 por seat, of the popula plauza.)
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORES-Marion consists of Chinese. They have an abuot
of householders or by my hon. friend on my left? He stated fint families of all that the work on the typhoon refuge had to the total population. A large propor- only begun a few months ago, but I would tion of them, I believe, own real property remind him that the preliminary dredging was in China, and many have investments in the begun two
two years ago. In the matter of the low banks here or fewhere. They are also largely
but apart migrating population,
from all this courts, he stated that the contract was due the fundamental proposition remains that the refers did not include a considerable amount of
I rise to correct one or two statements made ally mall number
of households in comparison
general parport of them, and the subsequent calculations and investigationa which I bave made only tended to confirm mora strongly, the views I then expressed. It waå a somewhat strango coincidence, of which I was not aware until to-day, that while I spoke at the very end of October, 1908, on this subject, the Governor of the Straits Settlements made a not week or two inter. He laid before the Council dissimilar speech in November of the same year a number of papers containing corresponden.co with the Secretary of State on the subject, have, the method of assessment.
a
Report of the Post Oce; and Report of the down in statistical tables at 51 per this added completion in 1906, The contract to which incidence of taxation depends upon the ability and he in very strong terms condemned, sa
Directer of Education,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the proceedings of the Standing Law Camraittee
THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.
TD-
bo
I am in
*INTIMATIONS
CORONATION
CANDLES.
Shipment
"E Beg to Notify the Public that
We hare Just Received a Large
of SHORT CANDLES,
suitable for the forthcoming CORONA.
TION ILLUMINATION, and they are
requested to make an early application
to avoid disappointment, as the demand
is likely to be great. ~~~
H. RUTTONJEE
& SON,
38 and 40, Queen's Road,
Cent
HONGKONG.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESE, FRIDAY, JUNE 2ND, 1911. make an estimate which is not open to be at other schemes coming forward requiring large professional student of economies and statistics, quce challenged, and I therefore tako the actual sums of money to be spent upon them. With howover difficult he might think that it would Agures given, viz., £2,000,000,000 annually, as regard to the typhoon refugs in particular; Iba to form any approximation of the extent of representing the total Income of the population would submit that it is imperative that it should taxation in the various classes of any one it ap saa hopeless of the United Kingdom in 1909. What there be pushed en in order to complete the work community, would
Sir, there has task to contrast the incidence of taxation in Was tho capital value of property to produce by the contract date. that income?
of Hansard for
a similar incidence of taxation in a Hng investments on a fairly large sesle, and On referring to the pages
of community in the Far East such as this experience, which coincides with that of 1906, I find that on 1st November many others in important commercial positions, that year I addressed the following question to be the question to Probh fher of onto more
› of interest is rather the
When does the to se to whether wo are Government: ahows that the
average rate of
people
may that three per cent, but as I am anxions that intend to commence work on the construction lightly or more heavily taxed than the under three
As soon greets itself to me in that problem is, what is the upon the
position, upon our sea down the
Director of Public Works replied: " sverage rate
dofonded; and any arbitrary
caloniation of Ligher than that obtainable for well-invested pared." That, Sir, was over four years ngo, and income of a community by the population as money. This shows that the capital value it is only within the last few months given by the census cannot possibly produce dividing the population and the revenue and of privately-owned property in the United that the work on this refuge has been any useful result. The census includes women saying that is the amount which should be paid
Sir, junkman or and children who are not separately taxed if does not take into consideration the re
STO, that We haya Kingdom is £50,000,000,000 storling; divide this commonood. by the population, and it gives a per capita sampaumao or a cargo-boatman may not be a they do not form part of the household, vital facts, which
s to be exponded certain wealth of £1,090. The value of property in this very herole figure, but in an important ship and yet, on the other hand, we must remem certain property in the Colony which demands Colony is noteron an easy to arrive at, but a fair ping port like this be is a very important ber that they do pay indirect taxes 63 sugar,
turn with much pleasure to a the équivalent of £25,000,000, or, any, 960 per this Colony if through any cause the comple. The general nuit, I head as against £1,090 per head at Home. It tion of this harbour of refuge is postponed art in the household or the family. Then, again, with my bon. friend, und, indeed, the ability I think there we must remember that in the revenue that has which he be displayed in going into these follows therefore that the average wealth of an hayond the contrast date. individual in this Colony is one-eighteouth of reason to fear from our experience in the past been assured, the gross revue of the United figures makes it vory disagreeable to find myself that of an individual at Home, so that although that if this military contribution is continued Kingdom which was assumed by my hon. friend at variance with those general conclusions. He wo pey taxes of El per head, or, as I said earlier, at the present rate the claims of other to be due to the taxation of the people, said, as part of the Empire to which we were all proud to belong, we wished to pay a fair and about one-fifth that paid por unit in the United works to be accomplished will be pushed you will find that by no means I work will be postpol youmber rightly a part of that revonne
It onel that total is the result of taxation. just proportion of its defense, and these words. Kingdom, this sun is paid out of the attenuated in and this
were echoed by the senior uaeficial member on if a fair comparison of tho respec- Biz, it may be said that I om `auticipating which is something like)
also said that it was our desira 23 millions, is a product.
who my right, Tesoura, and 11 between ourselves and those Brent, but when one considers the 'rer of an investment in Suez Canal shares. You to pay a fair and just share in the defences tive burdents is
in suggesting the possiblity of residentat Homnit will be 8000 that wapar asarly This minutes of the last meeting were read four times the taxes in proportion to any means, law courts, which have become old before they The second houding which I tako is the cost of are now, and when one considers the fact that Defence of and Property. Statistics under the original contrast the law courts were
in show that in 1909 £60,000,000 was
pent
be finished in the year 1906. I think, Sir, I the United Kingdom on Defence, including the have shown suficient grounds for hoslthy expenditure on the Navy-and important scepticism. The unofficial members of this to remember that the money spout on the Navy Council are unanimously in favour of this is not omitted from the calculation. The trade resolution, and they desire a division to is of Great Britain-importa lean ro-esports and taken, We are not seeking for any favour or This added to the value of property inorcases the figuro to £51,000,000,000 sterling. Local stat- lies are non-existent, but the trade of Hong- kong can be arrived at by making an analysis of the total exports and imports of China hor self, which in 1909 ammnted to £95,600,000 The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of
sterling. Tho
proportion of those imports and His Excellency the Governor, laid on the tablosports from and to Great Britain, Hongkong, the following papers-Sessional paper No. 6. India and other British territories are set
whole, ex £50,000,000 sterling, and
of privately-owned property to the value
figure to £75,000,000, which
work that was necessary to complete the law to pay. Now, admitting that a Chinese coolio inornɛses the
courla. It included merly structural work with a family in this Colony would find full agreement with my hoa, friend who second- presents the value to be defended. This com. pared with £53,000,000,000 shows our propor pro- such as masonry, and did not include the himself in fairly comfortable circumstances ed the motion that the method of assessment portion for Defence andor this head to be in the
finished building. That formed the mibject of on an income of, say, £15 or £16 sterling a is hopelessly illogical. (Applause.) I was glad year. That is to say, he could supply the to see, too, in looking through those papers, that neighbourhood of £83, 03 per unnum, or, speak-
a later contract. Hon. Mr. EBI moved the following resolu- ing in the currency of the Colony, $974,000,- Hon. Dr. Ho Kai-Sir, although this will be necessaries of life sud have a small margin the Gctornor of the Straits took the same view tion standing this one:-"That it is desir which is considerally less than we are paying at
the sixth or seventh time I have had the honour to devote to ordinary enjoyment or los which I have myself advocated when he said most a loan-a loan, als that the Military Contribution should prosout. I submit that the arenaient although
in this Council to discuss the military contriba.ry he chooses to
British archase. And yet it may be that the revenue raised me that
of corresponding class that is to say, for any large remunerative work, be axed at the annual sum of One million apparently in favour of a Contribution of $974,
tion, still, I think a few words are due from me Dollars ($1,000,000).** In doing so he said:000 a year is stretobing the point to its utmost as being the senior unofficial member of this with a family might find it an exceedingly ought not to be assessed to military con- make both onds most on an in tribution. In the circumstances, gentlemen, Your Excellency,The noflefat members of Imit, in so far that the so-called trade of the
Council in support of the argument which has dioult thing this Conncil are unavimous in the opinion Colvay broadly speaking, although reckoned been put so eloquently by our junior unofficial coma of ten times that amount. The ability to find I am compelled to limit myself to doista bofore the imperial and typubly speaking, should not be brought me the realidation. I and glucst sold that 1 was and on the earifiimast of the no 1 therfore advanced by my hon. friend are open, I will say, GOLD that this question should be brought up for us a living trade, is only a fransitory one, member and also by my hon. friend who second. Foy, therefore, depends on the cost of living the somewhat disagreeable and futils task of Conference closes. I fully realize that the question sate the caloplation at all, mers parfionary tired of discussions on this subject, but yet at whist in, as I sal before, that to divide the to much criticism, and that the conclusiona n of the Military Contribution is a Enofty and as the gurs taken covers a great variety the same time I don't see how we can avoid much dolated ono, but in moving the motion I of interests which merely pass through the bringing it forward periodically so long as the cross revenue, whether due to taration of the which he arrives are not, in my opinion, justi- am cucouraged by your Excelloney's attitude harbour ex route for deatipation.
and are shown in the debate of the 24th September, never landed here. I lure thas shown, Sir military contribution is mised on an unfair cominunity or not, by the gross population fied. For the rest, I am unable to lay any basis. My hon, friend opposite in seconding produces no results which can be usefully em constructive policy before you further than what 1908. You there stated that you approached that we are already much more heavily faxed the resolation bas given an instance of the i.ployed for the purpose such as we have in view. I have already said in the debate of Dotober, The hon. member by his process of oalenlation 1908 Fort my own part I think that itis mach the matter of the Military Contribution with in proportion to our means In these resident fairness of the calculation, and I wish to carrived at a quotation of 26 178, as being tho the best plan in approaching this question to lay an open mind, possibly with a bias in favour of at Home. I bave further shown that the Conphasise the opinion that to have to pay twenty incidence of taxation in the United Kingdom aside all fatile comparisons with other Colonies the view that the Contribution workhed too tribution for defonce properly loriable for the
per cent. of our gross revenue in that way is ind honvily, and that you were fully prepared, if your Colony should not exceed $974,000, and as I do
taxes to
contingency, meet some
some gentlemen, it is also vital to the argument to selves face to face with the real issues before us. sxamination of the matter abould confirm that not believe that the Secretary of State is deaf most unfair. When we have to raise any extras against £1 s. in Hongkong. But surely, of the United Kingdom, and to place our- its reduction. That statement warrants that reason I beg your Excellency to place the necessary expenditure, we have at ores to pay estimate incidence on the classes separately. It They are very simple. Are we paying too view, to appeal to the Imperial Authorities for
views which I
I horo expresied before him in 20 if it can be shown by reasoned the Coutribution at procent paid by the Colony under that a re-adjustment of the Centri ation 30 per cent. to the military contribution. As must be shown upon which class the taxation falle much for the military contribution! And this may be made and the much needed relief long as this unfair method of caloniating the in such a way as to infer the ability to pay. It is when every nation of the earth is groaning
contribution obta
obtains there must be periodical shaolutely necessary to know in some rough way! nalor increased taxation for defence, and when we pay a little under one-third of the post of are the numbers of the wealthy among the and what a the taxpayer obtained. (Applause),
taxation protest and discussion in this Council, and I hope
the defence of Colony. falls unnecessarily Bearily roliat may be counted upon. The following Hon. Mr. Potrock Your Excellency, I rise that the Imperial Authorities, whore your potulation upon whom the bulk of the
Jag tall,” Again, in
this Colony
both the British portant question is: Is our land defence adequate FNGLISH, festors affect the question:(1) The ratio of to second the motion, and I think that the Agures
a The cost of which have just been laid before us by my holener informed us at last meeting had the the Chinese have sources of income outside as we are entitled that it should be
to and under consideration, bat had not com taxation at present levied. Defence of Trade and Property. It has been friend are of a very striking character, for they a decision, will at ones dirsot their attention and the four corners of the Colony. They have also not speaking to order. I express no one's stated, and is believed by a section of the com- show that compared with our individual ability energy to the matter with a view to arriving heavy expenses to bear outside those which fall viows but my own, but as an honest man I am munity, that we are more lightly taxed that as taxpayers to pay we are more heavily taxed in at a fairer way of reckoning the contributions of upon them during their residence here. The bound to express clearly and definitely that I
property in the is residents at Home, and I deem that the time has this Colony for defension purposes than are the this and other calories. At the same time, 8ic, monied classes in the United Kingdom own an do not myself believe that the resolution which is placed before the Council is one which would arrived when this statement, which has for so inhabitants of the United Kingdom. In truth, the question is not one of goal difficulty, on world at large outside the United Kingdom bs to the advantage of this Colony. It is not a long passed ourrent for truth, should bodis Birthe present systems of assessing sur military one think wo all agree that we must a
I profane my remarks by saying contribution is bupelessly illogical, for it a British eciony, as a legal colony, contributo a from China to Pere. I came across those matter which is one of ordinary officiat routine; I have studied all available statistics fairly is based upon the fallacy that the more revenue fully. I have examined the incidence wa raise to meet the expanding needs just share towards the military expenditure of figures, but I was unable to put my hand upon it is a matter which affects the Empire at larges the Empire, and on the other hand it has them before coming to the Council, but the My view is that of an individual. It may disagree, but of taxation on different classes of the of this Colony the more prosperous we rust been said by no less an authority than Mr. amount is something astounding. But although he that the whole of the anofficial members, and islands, haro studied this question very carefully. I population, but I have discovered it to be he and the better able to bear a large Joseph Uhamberlain that this military con- this enormous wealth is owned by the moneyed possibly the official members, may dise
11 tribution should be calculated in 3 fair class of Great Britain ontside those
have spent many days and works in comparing impossible by this means to arrive at any amount of military contribution. Sir, as
and the only fair and just basis on their expenses outside the United Kingdom are tangible result either for
against the argu striking instance of the absurdity of such a
of the cost of defances in other Colorisa all ment for reduction. I propose therefers to theory I will refer to the intice on imported which it can be calculated is the ability of the exceedingly small, I should say practically nil the incidence in this Colony and the incidence.
any particular time,
that for the argument, whereas I know it is not so to treat the whole question from the point of view liquors. These duties were imposed for the inhabitants at
Law of Average. a very simple arst time in September, 1909, and constituted an amount of contribution. Now during the last in Hongkong. The hon. member states that the Empire, and contrasting them, and I believe law and casily understood by the people entirely normal form of taxation. These were
few years it has become well known in this the private income in the United Kingdom that it will not be to the advantage of this
dollars or any other sum Following this law, to arrive at the barden of increased at various times subsequent to that Colony and in the two neighbouring colenies amounted by the estimate of one gentleman to Colony to have a fixed contribution af
our thousand milhon pounds, and by thesestimate million Fontion per bond und must divide the Revenus date, and on March 16th this year a resolution that trade here has been depressed both song of author to two thousand millions. We will believe a better system for a cargested
was passed by this Council increasing them to a Europeans and Chivers, and up
I have myself suggested s present by the population. The Gross Berezas of Great Britain in the year 1909, for which full
considerable Tery
extent. Now, Bir, the aston day, so far as the natives are concerned, it has assume the latter, although the divergence easy to invent. tatistica
Imperial available,
ishing circumstance is this, that while
such depression shows how vory arbitrary the calculation must system which has been called the system of recovered not £153,000,000, Junicipal £163,000,000, or, in all, we are obliged to pay this heavy taxa-
maybe. He stated that the revenue constituted devoting half the margin between ordinary and We know this by the large amount of
mabay £316,000,000, the population in the sa
the same year betion npon our drinks we are compelled also to
lying idle in the banks. We know they cannot the capital sam privately owned in the United extraordinary revezme and expenditure. That ing estimated at 46, 00.000, or a taxation of gire 20 per cent. of that taxation to the military get their money invested at a reasonable rate of Kingdom to be fifty millions sterling. Now may or may not be a valuable method, but at of the £6 17. per head. The Gross Refense of this contribution upon the unsound theory that wo
Interest Why? Because business is bad and surely, gentlemen, that is in itself obviously any rate it has the advantage of Colony in the same year amounted to 86,800,000, are able to pay a larger contribution, whereas
reson money is notnooded to doralopit. It may beergu. / wrong. We know a great part of that privately incidence norrespond with the prosperite the t while the population here and in the New the
Kingdom. Turring again to his estimate of which has been placed before the Council. I shall, Territory Was
Rs 429,000, or, say, $16 per bead, which s
pays on how to consider another point. E who have soon the large subscriptions given privately-owned property in this Colony, of course, be glad to forward to the Secretary
the translated into sterling equals £1 98, or rather balieve it is sometimes argued that because we by the Chinese community for charitable purposes
report Lase than one-fifth of the taxation per capita at do not pay in this Colony the entire east of one that the Culeay was in a prosperous condition, which he places at 25 millions sterling, I of State not only the resolution but
should imagine that was very much under of the debat in this Council to-day, I have no Home This at first sight appears to support garrison it must necessarily follow that the
- not the case. It is a trait of the Chinese the ocntention of those who believe that we are smount which we pay for military contri. bat I wish to assure the Council that this the mark. In the first place, it excludes don't that Mr. Harcourt will be anodalw too lightly laxed, but the most important factor bution cannot be considered on
character to be charitable when they are not Government property and Government pro- interested to read the remarks which have fallen is the able amount Sir, such contention has to well off. They are much more choritable in perty of the taxpayer at large. And also it from the senior unofficial member (Hen. De Ability
of the taxpayer to stand the burden
to the pepabtion. New tue ratio is a and the very remarkable fact of which he has taxation. It is very difficult to arrive at the tary of State in his dispatch dated 20th
proved.
of the
Aro
was
unt that
unreasen-
aud
from
to
to
which each individual and I
amount
endeavouring to show that the arguments
this
The second in-
I a
Ofer
опь
I
AND
SILVER
150
WATCHES
SWISS
AND
ELGIN
SUPERIOR
QUALITY
MOVEMENTS
Chas. J. Gaupp & Co.,
Ho
ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS.
[256
bas yet to be reckoned with, and that I tall evonte the charm of unvelty, for the Secre- times of depresion than in times of prosperity. I took no eonnt of the ratio of that Government Kai) in regard to the prosperity of the Chinese average wealth of the individual in Great February, 1890, slated that the Colony would They res'ise that it is much more meritarions to proper noiat in the argument, and I have po told us, that it is in times of adversity tha they Britain. At first sight the income tax collected then be called upon to pay oue-eventh of give at a time when they are not prosper.verhatever that it is enormously greater in contributs more largely, and therefore that we
colleague on my right is fair one, and I this Colony then uld seem to give one a fair indication, but then cost of this garrison, namely, £40,000 on are all agreed that this question of the Wa have here railway which has cost 15, 38 subscriptions are raised the Colony is in
one must
of the garrison.
Whereas
WE
inhabitants
amount
and
Bet
by
I
bat
of
N. LAZARUS
FOR YOUR GLASSES P
ous. I think that the argument of my meft-doubt
it is in the United Kingdom. are not entitled to some that because largo. That assessment of think this is misleading, in so far as many below a of £280,000 annually.
you know, upwards of one million sterling singularly prosperons condition. (Applause) certain fignza per annum pay No income tax at £40,000 was based upon a garrison of 2528 military contribution should be
put on pro-you all, and various books of statistics differ as to troops. That force, Bir, has been considerably
here per luis, on the basis of the ability of we have reservoirs both at Tytam and at Hon. Mr. EDE-Your Excelleney, may I use
to pay
Kowloon which have cost very large sums my right to reply very briefly PI do not propose what proportion this class is to the whole. increased and I believe now stands somewhere the
ATerage Another method of estimating the age about 4,400. But, Sir, the amount which comparison with taxes in other places, or indeed, and also Government buildings and to go over the ground I have already been over,
are paying a contribution in this b
0$
which the people at other property, and the broad rate of value bat, as I stated, I worked the figures on the law wasith per head is to take the gross income wo brought under review of the Department, Colony has increased during these twenty years Home pay towards the defence of the Empire of these per head of popolation is, I should of average. Your Excellency very kindly which in 1908.9 the latest available was out of all proportion to the increase in The Sigures bave been mest striking. Tady are think, vastly greater than any calealation made firmly disagreed on the questions of the nuit.
number AR the £1,000,000,000 sterling; bat eren this method ik
question fanity by reason of the fact that it still excludes twenty years ago tre wore paying in eterling now to me, but I think they are very suggestive. in England. Therefore I am compoiled to differ! I have ascertained the unit in Great Britain, We all hope that they will be sent to the deers-fandapentally from the conclusions at which but I have not been able to ascertain it here. A a large percentage of the population whose £40,000 per annum we paid last year, notwith tary of State, and that he will see his way to the hon. member arrived. I do not think it is point I would like to mention is the and no meet per fare lock chewhero for niers has taken place within the past twenty years satisfactory for years. (Applause.) the hon. is that it is rather the other way. The rart way mean so much more or so much less. I have under review at all, standing the enormous drop in exchange which rearrange a Lasis of payment which shall be proved that we are taxed four times as heavily our geographical position. It is one of those
na in the United Kingdom, My own impression expressions which implies so much, but which WHY GO TO sum in sterling than roughly £110,000. exsot figures. In I.. G. Chiszta Money's book. no less a sum
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen.
bou. friend brought tried to grasp it, but it aludes my mantal grasp. Riobes and Poverty," published in 1904, one If we look at it from a dollar point of view the member on my right who word this resdation argument which my
forward was the cost of defence with The resolution was then pat to the meeting, hods that the national income of the United result is even more striking, for we shall find has done so with a thoroughness and intrepidity reference to the value of the property to be de- and the varing was se follo
in 1903 was estimated at £1,710,000,000 that we paid last year five times as much 4 which is characteristic of him. I know he has ended. He commenced by saying that the value Apes: Hon. M. Ross, Hou, Mr. Ele, Hon' but this figure has been challenged by an dollars as we did twenty years ago. Moreover, who is more widely known and ac- | Sir, nince
very long hours in working out in detail spent
Colony were Mr. Hewett, Hon. Mr. Pollock, Hon. Mr. Wai the present
of imports and system of reckoning the
exports of this
Ho Kai came into foten in the beginning the figures of which he has arrived, for he has about six million sterling per annum. That is Vale, Hou. Dr.
Noas: The Captain Superintendent of Police, Report of the Royal Commission on the Post of 1901, our payments have gone up done me the honour of consulting me and an absolute assumption. Being a free port we
queation to have suggested some naposle Laws and Relief of Distress, as well as in bis an astonishing degree. Whereas in 1901 wo him. think that the community is under oara unable to produce any statistics, because it is the Registrar-General, the Director of Public book, National Progress in Wealth and
and paid eight and a half lakhs for military contribu- debt of gratitudo to him for the amount of perfectly open to any vessel passing through this Works, the Colonial Treasurer, the Attorney. places the figure at £2,000,000,000 tion, wo raid last year 14 lakhs of dollars in
(Applause.) And befors I cargo. We are hoping, by the way, to introduce Commanding the Troops.
Hie EXCELLENCY-The "Noes" have ik sunnally. He arrives at this by dividing the military contribution, Bir, Iational incomo into four groups (1) The part bers of this Coureil yield to ac oge in their this public subieron to the examination of ƒ port to declare or not declare the value of its Gonsal, the Colonial Secretary and the Officer
proceed to criticise or to reply to his argaments some greater provision in that matter in the Euture, but the figure which hea
BALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS AMENDMENT received as wages, (2) the part ander review of develion to the Empire, but we see the trustees in any way I would like to express my ahliga been given by my hon. friend, of imports and ex-
ORDINANCE. the Inland Revenue Department, (3) the sum of for the ratepayers of this Colony,
tions to him for the courtesy of informing me De
absolutely arbitrary. But money which is earned as salaries too small to extensive public works clamoring to be excent-onamily of the lines he intended to take in the ports, is to my mind a of imports and ar- Council resolved itself into a Committee of be considered by the income tex collectors, and ed, amongst which I may mention in particular debate today. That has enabled me to come to if it were correct the valus
profits from investments abroad and busi- the construction of the new typhoon, refuge, this Counal not wholly unprepared, and I am from the total value for a whole year. It is the whole Council on the Bill entitled, "An nesses xt. Home which in part escape the tax gat- which is estimated to cost two million dollars, sure I voies the feelings of the unofficial and not the value of any one particular day or period Ordinance to amend the sale of Food and Drugs
the wealth of the Ordinance, 1896." assuming you are korer, though legally liable, This estimate, which and the extension of the water works att tion
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK stated that certain N. LAZARUS, mber Colony for purposes of defence. But even if made in 1914, Las not since been challenged. Tytam, which, I believe, is estimated to cost
joined member It is true that the population of Great Britain roughly three million dollars. Besides that.
of the Coupol tbe excellent speech we accepted the general lines of argument, I do dealers in cun denred skimmed milk desired to has increszed since that date, but the average Sir, we have a beery payment to make he has made to-day. Gentlemen, I had only not see that it follows at all that if this be represented by Consol, and moved that Sir rate of wages has not risen, and although it annually on account of the railway. I sub may be possible, or even probable, that the sum mit that it is impertire that these works myself been a few mesks in this Calony before Colony were proved to pay more heavily Beary Berkeley be allowed to be heard.
I embarked on the same field of investigation in for its defence then the average citizen given by Bowley bas grown to a larger figaro should be pushed on with all speed and that they connection with this subject of military coatri- of the United Kingdom, that that would con- at length, and the hill was left in Committee. between 1904 and 1909, it is quite impossible to should not to delayed or hampered by reason of bation, and I venture to think that even the stitute any great grievance. Our pastion here,
cepted.
vis,
(4) the
*
the unofficial mem-
and there are
private time he
to
members when I offer our son-
to Π
Last
to which
..
Sir HENRY BEBIETET addressed the Council An extended report will appear to-morrow,
BECAUSE
OPTHALMIC
You will receive Fair Treat
ment.!
A Careful and Intelligent
Examination
We have s Sound Oplica
Reason behind every Lone
OPTICIAN, COENER D'ÁGUITAR ST., HONGKONG.
OF
$262