Again I venture to say that neither this Council nor this community would advocate balancing the account by any abnegation or neglect of the plain duties of a Government as such. It is true we might save money by allowing our buildings to decay, and our roads to get out of repair by neglecting the sanitary precautions rendered necessary by this climate—by diminishing our Police and otherwise declining to advance with the times, or to meet the increasing exigencies of an increased population.
Any gentleman, nevertheless, who can suggest retrenchment without impairing the efficiency of the Public Service, or entailing the neglect of plain duty by the Executive will confer an obligation on the Government and the Community. I have earnestly desired to effect some retrenchment myself, and I candidly confess that when I came to examine into what remained to be done, I was surprised to find how much it amounted to. Nevertheless, I do not suppose, even for your own sakes, that you will long be content to leave the health of the town impaired through an inadequate supply of water, and the very imperfect drainage which pollutes a great part of it; nor do I believe that you are prepared to forego, in the least degree, anything which you consider it the duty of a liberal and enlightened Government to undertake and go through with.
I have not even ventured to strike out votes for ornamenting public grounds, planting of trees, and such things as are not merely necessary in the most meagre acceptation of the term, but are symptoms of a refined and civilized tone in the community. I do not believe I should truly interpret your wishes if I were to do so. I have therefore judged it better to meet the crisis by not abandoning any useful work or evident duty, merely because it entails expense. I prefer inserting all that I think consists with our duty, the position of the Colony, and the natural expectations of those whose affairs we administer—and trusting to you to make good the deficiency.
I have therefore proposed an expenditure of $970,000, including $185,000 for Public Works, though I do not believe you will have really a revenue of more than $852,000.
There will thus be a deficit on the year of nearly $120,000, and I apprehend that you will find it expedient to make good that deficiency by increased taxation in some form, and I know of none less objectionable than the Stamp Act, which has proved a source of so much profit to the Singapore Government with so little injury to the community.
Hongkong has hitherto enjoyed a remarkable immunity from any taxation—in the ordinary sense of the word. Excise and Customs duties are here unknown, whilst the only taxes payable partake rather of the character of Municipal rates than contributions to the General Government, which here occupies the position and discharges the duties of a Municipal body.
No doubt this complete freedom from taxation, combined with the wonderful advantage of its Geographical position, have made Hongkong—what it converted an insignificant fishing village into a magnificent city—and rendered it the depot for the enormous and increasing commerce of these Eastern Seas. It is desirable therefore to preserve these advantages, and it is because I believe that here, as at Singapore, so similar in many respects to this colony, a large addition may be made to the Revenue by a Stamp Act without entailing the depressing effects which might follow other taxation—that I suggest this policy, as the best which circumstances permit.
It is possible, however, that some wiser measure may be proposed—and if so, we can discuss the question. I now merely wish to announce that whilst I feel obliged to come before you with estimates necessarily exhibiting a large deficit, and a deficit which there is no reasonable hope of soon seeing disappear, I also rely on your providing permanent funds to meet that deficit, in preference to abandoning any expenditure essential to the maintenance of order and safety, and the improvement of the health and general convenience of the Community.
This is not the time for going into details, and without detailed explanations, I am aware that many of the items in the proposed estimates must appear somewhat unintelligible, especially as some are connected with others to be early submitted to you, but not yet formally before the Council. Therefore, I shall be glad if any member of Council will, between this and next meeting, ask explanations from the Auditor General, or myself, and meantime, as some assistance to you, I lay on the table a comparative Statement of the estimated expenditure of 1866, compared with that estimated for 1867—together with explanations of the causes of the decrease and increase in each item.
Hongkong, 26 July 1866.
The bill was then read a first time.
Page 189
26 July, 1866.
Hongkong
The Governor then said that he would now lay before the Council the drafts of several Ordinances which he had prepared, and which applied to such improvements in the local legislation as appeared to him to be the most called for. It might appear 'bold upon his part, after so short a residence in the Colony, to undertake so great alterations in the laws, still he felt justified in proposing them, as the state of things, particularly as regarded the great Colonial disgrace—piracy—called for immediate measures. It had occurred to him that it was strange that, in the police regulations, no provision had been made to keep supervision over the native craft entering and leaving the harbour, or to watch their proceedings while in port.
Although the shipping of all civilized nations was subject to certain regulations, the native craft were entirely unrestricted in their action. He had therefore framed an Ordinance, the short title of which would be the “Coast and Harbour Ordinance”; and he hoped that whilst it would prove available in repressing crime amongst that class of boatmen that were in turns fishermen and pirates, and of keeping better order in the harbour, it would not interfere with the trade carried on by the honest, nor prevent this harbour from being visited as usual by the junks that trade along the coast. The Ordinance would provide for the levying of a low rate of dues to cover the necessary expenses. The Bill was then read a first time.
The next draft was of a Registration Ordinance, which he trusted would meet with the entire approval of the Council. It would provide for the formation of districts and of inspectors whose duty it would be to prevent the nuisances, and immorality so common in the streets and houses inhabited by Chinese. Its provisions were numerous and stringent. It would be impossible to enter into details then; but he was sanguine that such good would be effected. Bill read a first time.
The difficulty frequently met with in prosecuting pirates by the absence of witnesses, etc., made an amendment of the law requisite. Some naval officers complained of the manner in which cases of piracy were conducted at the Supreme Court here, but he (the Governor) thought without sufficient cause.
The present draft of an Ordinance to amend the law regarding piracy provided for the establishment of a tribunal with extended summary powers, somewhat in the nature of a Court-martial, the members of which would be composed of the Judges and the higher naval authorities, with two additional members to be appointed by the Governor. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court would be left unimpaired, as the Attorney General could take any case before either Court.
The Bill was then read a first time.
The next draft was that of an Ordinance to make further provisions for order and cleanliness, which would give greater powers to the Executive in the suppression of gambling and the regulation of drainage, etc., in the Chinese part of the town.
The last draft was one of an Ordinance to alter the time of Vacation of the Supreme Court.
His Excellency said that all the Bills, being printed, were now ready and would be distributed to the members of Council. He hoped they would find that he had given due consideration to the proposed Ordinances. He would, before the next meeting of Council, allow them sufficient time to consider the different questions involved, and he hoped that each hon. member would meanwhile suggest any alteration that might appear to him desirable.
His Excellency then adjourned the Council.