HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1938.---PAGE
HIS EXCELLENCY LOOKS INTO THE FUTURE
Highlights Or His Speech At Legislative Council Meeting
Highlights of the speech delivered by His Excellency, the Gover- nor in the Legislative Council yesterday were that though Hongkong might be adversely affected by the new Japanese operations in South China, he was sure citizens would face the new difficulties with good sense and dignity, his comments on new methods of assessing mill- tary contribution, his hopes to see a big extension of infant welfare work next year, his predictions of a possible revision of motor traffic laws and provision for compulsory third party insurance and his comments on the new Five-Year Plan of Public Works.
His Excellency said: Honourable Members-The pre- sentation by Government of the
estimates for the next year is a
.
as a sufficient cash balance, Pěž, $10,000,000. But the eco- nomic problems of a commu- nity are not confined merely to questions of cash finance; they include also the right develop- ment of the essential, social, services which bring in their own returns,
Hongkong is classed among the | principal seaports in the world; it
Is In process of becoming a very “ important junction for an increas- ing number of air services and there is a prospect of a big in- crease in its rallway trafic. It is scarcely necessary to add that these problems cannot be consi- dered altogether Independently of each other..
PIER LEASES On December 31. 1940,
bour.
IF
all
NO FINANCIAL STRINGENCY As the Financial Secretary's me- morandum makes clear, the eşti- mates of expenditure which "are | now before you show big increases existing pler leases expire and it is In the fields of public health and not the present intention of Gay-** ances and the second the method public safety. Including defence, ernment to renew them. This des of making what is known as the and much of that increased excision raises several vital issues, penditure must be looked upon not the principal one being whether military contribution.
Regarding the former, I hope only as permanent but also as in- the harbour is to be developed by suitable occasion for a short re- that the scheme now approved, dicative of greater demands of the Government, by an Independent view of the circumstances in which which is set out in detail in the same nature in the future: I shall corporation such as a Port Trust, the Colony finds itself and for an estimates, will be found to be a indicate also a material increase by private enterprise or by some indication of the intentions of Go- satisfactory compromise between under the head, education, which combination of these methods, Closely connected with the problem vernment in respect of the Colony's the merging of water finances in results from the report of the principal problems. I have pre- the general revenue and expendi-Teacher Training Committee. This of administration is that of the pared such an address but propose ture and the complete separation report was not taken into consi- physical development of the har-
when the department's on this occasion to use only certain which some have "advocated. The deration
In view of the eminent import- extracts from it.
new arrangements are designed to budget was being framed. On the Before beginning that task, secure ultimate control by Govern- other hand, while the Colony 1sance of these questions I intend to which I will perform as briefly as ment while ensuring: firstly, that not likely to
ask the Secretary of State's assist- experience financial I can. I take the opportunity to adequate provision is made for the stringency this year or next, it is ance in the selection of one or express the hope that the new maintenance of the undertaking's not to be expected that its re-more experts in port organization method of dealing with the esti- capital equipment and, secondly, venues will maintain their present to whom they can be submitted
for investigation and advice. mates, which my predecessor fore-that water consumers pay no more dimensions, partly fortuitous as
NEW RESCUE TUG shadowed and I have gladly ap- and no less than is necessary to they are, when Sino-Japanese hos- tilitles come to an end. The pros-
The question of whether the tug proved, will in practice commend meet the true costs of supply. itself to you. The debate on the
pect must be faced, therefore, that "Kau Bing" should be replaced was THE OUTLOOK resolution shortly to be moved by
either the policies represented by under discussion when the,, estim- As for the military contribution, these developments of the social mates were framed and they, there- the Honourable the Financial Se-I could not fall to be struck, soon services must be reversed or more fore, contain no provision for that cretary will, it is hoped, give an after my arrival, by the innumer- revenue must be found, The for-purpose. Government, however, opportunity to members to discuss able practical difficulties produced mer alternative is, I hope, unthink- has been investigating the advisa- the general financial policy of the bg the present method of calculat able; as for the latter, it will not bility of building a vessel which in the draft estimates, on the the contribution and I ad-be seriously contended that this could serve as a lighthouse tender. dressed the Secretary of State community is heavily taxed at a training-vessel for the Hong- other hand, will, I suggest, be more some months ago proposing a new present, and I believe that I cor- kong Naval Volunteer Force and a appropriate to subsequent discus- method of assessment which would rectly interpret the sentiments of means of transport for the officer slons in the Select Committee, to do away with those embarrass the majority in asserting that in charge of the Southern District which I expect the draft estimates ments. I have not yet had a reply further taxation to provide the when visiting the islands: it could will be referred, or, alternatively. from the Secretary of State, but I amount necessary to support and also be put to occasional use for to a later stage of the discussion sincerely trust that some improve- develop those policies could be junk and sampan rescue from ment in the present method may borne without hardship, - provided | typhoons, anti-smuggling duty and that fair and equitable means of so forth. The provision of such a levying it are found.
Government: criticism of detalla
of the resolution in Council.
ECONOMICS AND FINANCE,
If I pass quickly over the econo- mic aspect, in the narrower sense of the words, of the Colony's affairs it will be because, so far as finance, is concerned, I do not wish to take the Council's time on a "subject which will be fully set be- fore them this morning by my honourable friend when he ad- dresses himself to the principal business of to-day's meeting. There are only two major items of financial policy of which I will make mention: the first is the change in the system of water fin-
NO IMMEDIATE ANXIETY
be agreed in the near future.
Turning to economic issues in general It appears, "at any rate on the surface, that the actual financial outlook is sa- tisfactory. With a large no- minal surplus and a prospect of a larger revenue this year than ever before in the Co- lony's history, there seems to be no danger of shortage of cash; though it is pertinent to add that conditions in the Far East make it advisable to re- view the figure which has in recent times been looked upon
CLOSE STUDY REQUIRED
craft seems to be highly destrable: accordingly, the Select Committee. How that should be put into will be asked to express their views effect I am not prepared at this on the inclusion of an amount að stage to say: it is a subject for hoe: the cost is put at between close expert examination. Our $350,000 and $400,000. present 'sources of revenue are few
AIR SERVICES but not very flexible. "Moreover, The rapid growth in the use of owing to our special economic con- this airport, with its" prospect of ditions, certain obvious sources of greater expansion in the near fu→ revenue appear to be ruled out; ture, calls for consideration being but I am sure that it would not be given to the adequacy of the beyond our abilities to devise means existing accommodation and ad- of broadening the basis of taxation ministrative arrangements.
STATISTICS
As
useful forecast of its growth. Civilian machines, however, are
in the Colony. I intend, therefore, Honourable Members are aware, in the near future to appoint the aerodrome serves a dual pur- committee to make a thorough, pose, being used both by the Royal but I hope not prolonged, examin-Air Force and civilian aviators. It to it. I believe that in every
ation of this problem, which I be- is to be expected that the former mstance I have referred to it will lieve to be, on a long view, the use will grow rather than diminish, We are fortunate in being for be money well spent and money most important financial question but I am not able to make any the moment free of anxiety for which this Colony as a community now facing the Colony. the immediate future in the can afford; but Government must financial sense, I mean-and the consider how it can itself secure While on the subject of econo coming in rapidly increasing num- passing for the time being of acute the necessary Funds and this, Imics I may-mention my intention bers and fonnage. For instance, financial stringency has enabled us would urge, is the time to consider to create a Statistical Branch of during the first seven months of to open the purse-strings a little that question, not some years the Colonial Secretariat. "In many this year 7,700 passengers used the more freely and to permit certain hence when we shall be already respects the statistical informa- aerodrome, that number being necessary expansions and develop-committed and faced perhaps with lion at the disposal of this Govern-more than double that for the ments, without reducing our es- already depleted cash balances. inent is deficient or unscientin- whole of 1937, while goods and timated surplus balances at the I now move that the Draft Escally arranged; there is a serious mail tonnage for the former crid of 1939 below the $10,000,000 timate of Expenditures for 1939 be lack of machinery, for the co-shorter period was four times that mark which has been regarded up approved,
ordination of such statistics as for the previous twelve months. to now as the minimum reserve. The Colonial Secretary seconded. exist, and in nearly every case There are five air. Hines already
But as Your Excellency has sug-
AMENDMENT
these are crude. In such ctream using the airport and it is inevi "gested, that is not a large reserve,
stances it might with some truth table that the number will grow. “ With a $40,000,000 budget in pros- The Hon. Sir Henry Pollock said: be alleged that our figures are There is the further important pect it is no more than three "As sentor unofficial member I beg given to us to conceal the factal factor that the modern aeroplane months revenue and it would un- leave to move as an amendment The first rate importance of well- tends to take progressively longer doubtedly be well to increase it, of the resolution that the draft digested and well-correlated sta-runs in which to become air-borne. especially in view of the many un estimates be referred for cotistics to a Colony, which is so In view of these important issues I certainties which still surround the sideration in detail by a Select largely dependant upon commerce have appointed a small expert Colony's future.
Committee consisting of the Co-and has, for example, such grave committee to examine the existing lonial Secretary, the Financial population problems as Hongkong aerodrome in the light of its | Secretary and - one Unofficial | Member M
Is Indisputable and the move will probable future needs and to ad- I hope, be appreciated locally. vise upon what steps, if any, This was seconded by the Hon.
should now be taken to meet them. of finding means to meet the pro- Mr. Paterson and carried.
TRANSPORTATION spective Increased expenditure. The Colonial Secretary rose to
FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE
tion of extending the area under
MONEY WELL SPENT
If this view of the outlook correct, therefore, the problem is
The problems of the Colony rele-
The alternative is to abandon or indicate the Government's whole vant to transportation are numer The estimates reflect the inter- modify the policies which give rise acceptance of the Motion.
Fous and, of first-rate importance.