HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
(Oontinued from Page 2.)
not esca-De
in the
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MAY 28mm, 1925.
COMPANY MEETING.
THE STAR" FERRY CO., LTD.
The Hon. Mr. HEWITT-L_bg to move, Sir, that this clause be deleted absolutely. We have list med with very grent interest to what you have said on the subjee, and quite ralli that by "Th17 ordinary anal meeting-of in the past, and to provide that prodeleting the claus it would be likely both shareholders of the above was held at- perty which has frequently escaped interfere with the whes of the Bill. But the office of Messrs. Jundine, Matheson the past shall futuro...
With regard to the pointa still live, after very careful con-
The Hon. Mr. D. raised by the hon. moruner who represents sideration of the fact, that the boneft & Co., yesterday. the Justices of the Peace, it is quite true to the Cony by uncouraging Chinese Landale presided. and those also present that Clause 20 cannot be found in any capital to be invested Eere would be were-Bir Paul Chater, C.M.C., the Hon. existing legislation, so far as I kuqw, but geater than it would be by imposing a
Mr. E. Shollim (Directors), Messrs. C. S it is not entirely without precedent in probate duty of this character.
Gulbay, M. S. Northcote, A. B. Crap ita underlying principles. He said that
HIS EXCELLENCv-I, would only point it was unfair that a third party, who had no beneficiary interests in the statut that Chinese money cars to the dll, . E. Warrin, Ho Fock, J. W. Tay tor, A. A. Fyfe, §. II. Dodwall, and F. Clony for one reason and ze reason of the deceased, should be called upon to discl:se or to report what they know nly; to increase and multiply under our Smyth, with the Secretary. Mr. W. S. about it, but, Sir, there already has been protection, and all we ask is for some Brow
return for the proiretion we are giving. such an obligation in xistence both this Colony and in England en persons My can opinion is that if you pass this who are not themselves receiving benefit you will find that the attraction of the from the estate and the obligation is totalony and the good security it offers.
A
In Mr. Polack seconded,
Hon. Mr. Hewer? If this BBI becomes inw I trust your Excell ney will prove still cent ad that we shall benefit by the a true prophet on this section." We Chine property in this Colony greater than by the adoption of this clause. I Fask that the question be put to the vote.
The matter was then put to the vote, the voting being as fellow
For the deletion-Hon. Mr. Lan Chu Pak Hen. Mr. D. Landal Hon Mr. Shellim, Hen. Mr. Pullock, Hon. Mr. Hewett, and Hon. Mr. Wai Yuk,
The Secretary read the native conven- ing the micating, after which
RETRENCHMENT AND
REFORM IN CNINA,
IN THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE.
Sine the enforcement of retrenchment, policy, the mouthly expenditure of the President's Office says a recent Peking paper has been reduced from $500,000 to $450,000. The President is not yet satisfied with this reduction and the other day he ordered the Secretary of State to make a further reduction of the ex- amalgamating or abolishing unnecessary organs on the President's paditure by Ofice, Acting upon these instructions, the Secretary of State proposes to amalga- mato the Chancery of the President's Household with the Grand Secretariat and appointing civil officials in their place. By this step it is estimated that several tens of thousands of dollars a month will be saved.. A number of officials now serving in the State Depart- ment and various Bureau will also by worded out.
IN THE MINISTRIES.
Under the retrenchment policy they Government expects that at least 4,000,COU} dollars a year will be saved from the funds expended by the Ministers and in order to secure this the abolition of anne Ministries is proposed. It is stated that more superfinous official pests in the
the Ministry of the Navy employ moro offcials than other Ministries, while the official posts of the Ministry of Com- merciations ams more lucrative than|
The CHAIRMAN said:-Gentlemen,--] and the inertas dsteurity it offers over to administer or part with, or pay away what you can get in the minianal, will propose, with your permission, to follow muy part of the estate of the decensed still prev: so strong that the terrors that the customary practice and take the re- without ascertaining that administration ambers seem to see will prove but port and accounts as read. The gross has been taken out. The obligation in-
shadow, posed by this class is to my mind, an
earnings from traffic were $16,010.06 Jess obligation the same nature in that it
than last year, the decrease being chictly endeavours to cblige the third party to act at an carler date. The old oblig
mat during the early part of cur finan- due to the prevalance of plague at Yau- tion, which still exists in section 1,
eind year, and to the newer munter of that the third party shall not deal with
stamers using the Kowloon whurves si the estate without reting that probate duty has bere paid. The obligation in
the war broke out. Both these causes were responsible for a very heavy falling this provision is that the third party shall not wait for payment of the beneficiaries
olf in our 3rd class receipts, while the absence of tourists, and the xodus of before taking action, but shall immedi
Ember Europeana Kavigon ubers. In spite of the repeated orders. ately, on un dath of the d-consid=prer son, disclose to the Commissionar the fact
largely affected our returns from frst of the Government these two Ministries class passengers.
It has therefore been have not conforced the retrenchment of the interest in the shop, bank, or
-Against-All the Official members.
As a result of m other business, As regards the sub-claus
necessary to reduce the dividend from policy effectively. The motion for the deletion of the working prolits. of that claus, Sir. that netion is not,
The larger amount
recent investigation by the State Depart-1 clauses was rejected by a majority of one. cf interest
mont it has been found that about carned during the without precedent, because there is pro
Hon. MR. POLLOCK-I have certain.
dure its
to the fact that twenty official posts in each of these year erhire under the Ordinance, which I
amendments to move in the early part of we have been
Ministries can be abolished. Owing to able to pince everal think was passed in 1875, for the recovery the elause. In line 2. after the words outs on mortgage et tre advantage
the difficulties which will attend enforce- of Crown rent and other debts due to the
ment of the retrenchment policy on the Crown. That was a very similar proviny interests" the insertion of the words
excreding in profits and income, 82 000 the benus from this account. Tre contract Ens rutes, and permits of the increase tu
military organs, the Ministry of War bas sion. The Colonial Treasurer en being
in value"
The reason for suggesting
not yet taken any steps towards this. satished on the question of the liability this amendment is that it is obviously with Government in respect of railway The Ministries of Education and Justice to pay the Crown rent, prepares absurd that small debts such as I men passengers commenced on 1st March this have been known as "lean" organs. Re- Schedule and signs it, and that Sebedule tioned just now, coolies wages, &c.. year, and, as you are doubtless aware, the cently, the Ministry of Education made prepared by him was prima fuere evidence should-be reported Items to me that assumption of the chligations in connec grent efforts to retrench and it has of liability, and the liability rested upon this sum of 82,000 would. at all eranta, bo tion with thess passengers, necessitated a succeeded in recucing its me "thly expen- the defendant to show that he was not a sum of some substance. Otherwise, large capital outlay. I am sorry to say, diture by $100,000 while the Ministry of liable for the rent, elained. Well, this every shop woud have to report every however, that the Government do not Justice reduced its monthly expenditure little sum, and would always have to be share our views in regard to the position by $30,000. So at present they can B. Sir, with the proposed amendments. shown in italies, provide similar prece looking up their books to see if a cus-in this connection, which, stated shortly, make no further reductions. The Ministry dare for the recovery of a 8600 prnalty. tomer had died for fear of a penalty of are that the temporary arrangement of Interior and the Board for Mongolian which is to he recoverable in the same
made by us with the railway authorities and Tibetan Affairs will also inform the The COLONIAL TREASURER-Not at all. The Hon. Mu. POLLOCK-Aucther point some time, and whereunder the fares to
under which we have been working for Government that they have enforced the way as Crewn rents are recoverable. It
retrenchment policy of the Government is not to be supposed that the Colonial
I should like to make is that I think railway passengers were very largely re
so faithfully that at the present moment Treasurer will be prepared to sign a
it is very unreasonable that the period for duced, should continue no longer, and they have neither unnecessary expenditure Seliedula under this clause unless he is
report should be one month. If there is that the fares in question should be raised--official posts to be abolished.
to be cut down or any superfluous satisfied that there is a prime-facie case
to be any apportionment at all there for roovering, It will rely upon the should be reasonable time to go into the to the scale originally fixed between the person to show such facts as may estab figures afterwards, and I think the time Government and the Company, inasmuch lish that he is cent liable for the penalty, should be six months. I move that, as the present fares not only altogether I do not think it is necessary for me to The COLONIAL TREASURER-They can re. fail to produce an adequate return on the dienss the general question of the desir port in a very short time. Six months capital outlay, but result in actual loss to ablity of an ostate paying duty abore is absurd, Sir. from the date of receiving the Company. The w taken by the what is necessary for securing machinery, of knowledge.
Why not make it ten Government is that, with some slight ox- years? because I think that must hi assumed.
ceptions, the present fares should not be The ATTORNEY-GENERAL--With regard to raised. We have been in correspondene: With regard to what the lion, member
the proposal of 89,000 I think that would with the Government upon this subject whe spoke last said, it is quite true in
be far too high a figure in the first place, for several months with very little bene- mnay casts, no doubt, that the manager of a shop des not know the individual and, in the second place, if any figure ficial result so far, but we still hops time. were inserted, any minimum inserted, I notwithstanding their present attitude- to whom a shart bolongs. He may not
think it would tend to encourage evasion. which amounts to a practical dental of know him by appearance, but he must be
I think it would defeat the object of the four claim they may yet be induced to sure of the exact amount for which the
Bill if any minimum were inserted. At all shop is liable to that person.
appreciate the very strong equitable case events, he can give the Commissioner what information lie has. He must know
$500.
It
is very difficult to ascertain the exact possessed by the Company, which your amount of property interests, and my fear Directors have no doubt whatever is such is that the person liable to give informa-
Re.
From the books that some person didtion will not do so. if any hardship is to entitle the Company to have its deposit a sum of money or has some found to be caused, or any undue in wishes in the matter complied with. claim against the shop, and he can give convenietice by the absence of a minimum, fore moving the adoption of the report the Commissionce every information he at gure the Government would consider and accounts I shall be pleased to answer With regard to the pro any questions which shareholders may bas in his power. Of course no 1:gisla the question.
posal to omit the depositor and creditor, like to put "Vonasks a man to give information which
I think that would very largely defeat, h has not got, and if he has no informa-
the object of the clause. I think o tion of course he will not be liable for
month is sufficient time to allow for the any penalty.
giving of information. A person is only expected to give the information he can at the time, and the full information cas be given later.
The Hon. MR. HEWETTI think the suggestion of my hon. friend opposite, of 82,000 is rather too high, but I think a limit should be made,
They ATTORNEY-CENERAL The danger is that if a minimum is inserted evasion will
come in,
There were no question, whereupon The CHARAN proposed the adoption of the report and accounts as presented. Mr. GUBBAY conded, and this was un- animously agreed to,
On the proposition of Mr. NORTHCOTE, D. Landal the retiring Director, was seconded by Mr. CHAPNELL, the Hon. Mr. unanimously re-elected.
Mr. WARREN proposed, and Mr. Ho Fook seconded, the appointment of Mr. Maitland as auditor to the Company for the ensuing year at a remuneration of
This was all the business. and the
CHAIRMAN Announced that dividend war-
it to stand and work, and if it is found acts could be had on application en and
to be unworkable, or found to hapose after. Friday, May 28th. undne or unreasonable hardship, altera tion can be made. Our own opinion is that it won't. I cannot possibly agree
to the abolition of depositors and eredi. OVERSEAS AIRCRAFT FUND. tors, or the extension over a month, end as regards the question of limit, I think the objection of the Attorney-General to this enggestion is very sound:
The Hon. MR. HEWETT Beondaľ the Hon. MR. POLLOCK's amendments, which were rejected, the voting being the sume as in the case of the previous motion b the Hon. Mr. Hewett,
The Bill passed through Committee with its printed amendments, and the ATTOR- NEY-GENERAL moved that it be read a third
Balance in hard from Subscrip-
tion List Na, ♪ Since received
Messrs. Patell & Co.
Flemingto
.8 128.23
30.00
Messrs. Percy Smith &
100.00
$50.00 10.00
Mr. H. W. Bird Mr. R. Aitken
HIS EXCLANCY=GrUemen, afraid that I cannot accept the sugges tion that we should delete the most contentious clause in the Bill, Clause 20. If we were to eliminat that clause we should emasenlate the whole measure. It would be simply a work of strangulation of the remaining clauses. Now the argu- ments which have iven addneed against the clause clearly prove that it is neces
HIS EXCELLENCY We have very care- $200. We are told that it will deter the sary. Chinese from coming to the Colony and fully considered tins Bill and this parti investing their meny here. There could cular clause, and I am prepared to allow be no greater admission that they do not pay probat duty. If they paid probate daty this clanse would have no terrers for them at all. Everybody objects to paying taxes, and it has been suggested that we should abalith the probate duty. Last year we receiv;d from it $208.000 odd, and in the year of the unfortunate demise of Sir Robert Jantine and the demise of Mr. Granville Sharp. and of various Chinese property owners, we benefitted to a very much larger extent. Therefore, if we were to abolish the probate duty we should have to substitute something else. It appears to me that the prebate duty is a good daty. We luave had many instances hero in which men have grown very rich, not so much by their individual effort as by the appreication of property due to the progress of the Colony, to which the whole cominunity contributes, and it seems to mo' right that the whole community, as represented by the tax- payers, should befit on the demise of such a person, who has during his life not paid more taxes than they, and is nrulet in a certain proportion of the large inheritance which he haves behind him. We have den our best to provide scum? notos by which the leakage of Chines properties which have been revealed to as from time to tims by actions in the Supreme Court might be stopped. Welt. those in the Government servie who knew most on the subject have com to the cou clusion that there is no other means than that embodied in this Bill. It is a drastic clause. but a drastic measure is needed; just as, wira yeu mend a net, there is ao other way of doing it than by making the hole in the net of as close a mesh as that with which the hole is surrounded. These are the facts, and I think the Government is in a strong position. Therefore. I am sorry to say we cannot meet unofficial members of the Council by any further concessions.
Council then went into Committe to Consider the Bill clause by clause.
The amendments printed in italics in in the re-print of the Bill wro-approved,
On Clauise 20,
limg.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and the Bill was then read a third time, and passed,
HIR EXCELLENCy-Council stand; ad. journed size die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committer followed: the Colonial Secretary presid-
Ing.
PUBLIC WORKS.
210.00
$ 338.23
This amount (@1/10-£31) will be remitted to the Treasurer of the Overseas Club Aircraft Fund, London, and the Hongkong Fund is accordingly closed.
N. J. STABB,
Hon. Treasurer. Hongkong, 27th May, 1915.
STOCKS OF SILVER IN CHINA. According to a Peking paper, the The Governor recommended the Council stocks of silver held by the banks of to vote a sum of twenty-two thousand Shanghai on the 14th inst were compos eight hundred dollars in aid of the vote of Tis. 66,340.000, $20,740,000 and 1777 Public Works, Recurrent, Hongkong: bars; of this total the native banks. Miscellaneous, upkeep of plant, repairs including the Bank of China, Bank of to dredger S. Enoch,
Commercial Communications and the Bank of China, held between them Tis. 5,660,000 and $0,930.000.
This was agreed to,
EMPING STATION TO POST OFFICE. The Governor recommended the Council to vute a sum of one thousand five hun dred dollars in aid of the rote Public Works, Extraordinary, Conversion of Old Pumping Station at Taumati into
Braneb Post Office. This was agreed to.
THE LATE S}n KAI HỒ HAI The Governor recolamended the Council to vote a sum of cha thousand three hundred and fifty dollars in aid of the vote Charitable Services, Education of errtain members of the family of the late: Sir Kai Ho Kai.
This was agreed to,
HONGKONG TRAMWAY CO. LD. The following are the Company's figures for the week ending May 22nd:-
Receipts
$ 10,312 Decrease as compared with corresponding week Irat yeaī Aggregate to date:
No. of weeks Total Decrease to dato
477
21
321:995 23,210
THE HONGKONG VOLUNTEERS.
DRDERS DT ZIEUR.-COL. A. CHAPMAN, V.D.
JOINED,
1. The undermentioned, having joined
"the Corps, are allotted Corps numbers
and posted as follows:-
No. 1849 Sapper F. H. M. Goado to
Engineer Company,
No. 1850 Private P. R. Butler to Scouts
Compray.
WEEKLY REPORTS.
The weekdy state is requires! at the Orderly Hoon tot later than 5 pim. to-day, 28th instant.
PARADES.
3-Porades for Friday, 28th inst.
3.30 p.m. Signalling Section-Musketry Instruction at Headquarters. Corp!: Grimes, R.E.. will #tend, Remainder, d.
DETAIL.
4-On duty at Headquarters:-
From 7. n... to-day to 7 n. 29th inst.
---No. 2 Scelion Art. Battery. Next for duty--H.K.V.R.
At Gun Club Hill, Kowloons-
On duty until morning of 29ih inst.— No. 1 Section Artillery Battery and
Left Section M.G. Co. Olfoer on duty-Liout. Rees. Next for duty-H.K.V.R. Orderly Offrer-Lieut. C. Smith, Orderly Sergeant--Corpl. Grose.
At Kowloon (Detention Camp):-
On duty until morning of 20th ins--
H.K.V.R.
On duty 29th inst-Civil Service Coy. Ollicer on day-2nd Lieut. Lindself.
G. E. STEWART, Capt., Adjutant, H.K.V.C.
NIBUET V. GREEN-TENNIS MATCH.
In the event of this taking place on a regular drill day, all drills will be postponed until the following day
HONGKONG VOLUNTEER RESERVES.
ORDERS BY MAJOR WAKEKIN. 0.0.E.E.V.B. GUARDS.
The Detention Camp Guard will be
INTIMATIONS
LANE
CRAWFORD & Co.
SUMMER FURNISHINGS
JUST TO HAND.
CASEMENT
CLOTHS
WITH COLOURED BORDERS. INEXPENSIVE, DAINTY AND EFFECTIVE.
BOLTON
SHEETINGS
·AND
PLAIN CASEMENT CLOTHS
IN A VARIETY OF SHADES.
SUN FAST AND TUB FAST WIDE RANGE OF BORDERS TO MATCH.
CRETONNES, LINENS
AND TAFETAS.
PLAIN, FIGURED AND SPOT CURTAIN MUSLINS.
RING UP 1741 FOR RANGE OF PATTERNS.
LANE, CRAWFORD & CO.
WESTMINSTER
$1.00
per lb. tin.
SMOKING
MIXTURE.
Westminster
Smoking Mixture
$1.00
per lb. un.
It is a delightfully cool and finely flavoured Tobacco and it has the great advantage of“ keeping dry during this hot and damp weather. There are many sizokers in Hongkong and the parts of South China who give up pipe smoking as soon as the damp and foggy weather wels in, as their pípes become foul. If they will try a tiz of this carefully blended Mixture they will find they can enjoy their pipes with as perfect comfort as they do in the cool mud. dry season.
SOLD BY-
HONGKONG CIGAR STORE.
A. S. WATSON- & Co., ·Lan. KELLY & WALSH, LTD. LANE, CRAWFORD & Co.. VICTORIA DISPENSARY,
Hongkong, 15th May, 1915.
[497
relieved by the H.K.V.C. on Satur- BEFORE LEAVING FOR HOME
day, May 29th,
The I.K.V.R. will relieve the H.KV.C. on the Gun Club Hill Guard on May 29th. Decil for the week-Section 1 of C Coy, under Licut. Branch. The H.K.V.R. will relieve the H.K.V.C. on the Volunteer Headquarter Guard on May 29th. 1. N.C.O, and 3 mon will form the guard from 7 am to 7 p.m. and 1X.C.0, and 6 men from-7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The Goard will be arranged by the Section Commanders from the Sec- tions detailed below:- Saturday, May 20th, Section 1 of B.
Company.
Sunday, May 30th. Section 2 of B.
Company,
Monday, May 31st. Section 3 of B
Company.
Tuesday, June 1st, Rection 4 of B.
Conipany
Wednesday, June 200. Section 2 of C
Company.
Thursday, June 3rd, Section 3 and 4 of
C. Company.
Friday, June 4th, Section 2 and 4 of C.
Company:
Orderly Officer, Lieut. E. Evan-Jones. ****Orderly Sergeant - Corpha-J÷÷÷÷H, »Me--
Huthebon. i
W. T.. CARTER, Capt.,
Adjutant, I.K.V.R.
ON A HOLIDAY
ORDER THE
HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS
TO BE SENT TO YOU, AND SO
KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE FAR EAST.
ALL THE NEWS OF THE WEEK FULLY RECORDED.
INCLUDING THE NOVEMENTS OF THE (LOCAL MARKETS.
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