351
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
A meeting of the Legislative Council was-bald.in the Council Chamber last,Thura-! day..__Prosent :—His Excellency-the-Gover nor, Sir, Frederick Lugard, K.C.M.0, Coleast Darling, R.E., commanding the Forces in South China, Hoo, Mr. Fl. May, CMO, (Colonial Secretary), Hop, Mr. W. Reen Lavion (Attorney General), Hon. Mr. A. M. Thomson Colonial Treasurer), Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, CMO, (Director of Public Works), the Hon. Mr. F. J. Badeley, (Captain Superintendent of Balica), Hon. Mr. E. A. Irring (Registrar General), Hón. Dr Hu Kai MB, culo, tion. Mr. Wai Yuk, C.M.O., Hoe, Mr. W. J. Gressan, Hoa. Mr. Murray stewart, Hon. Mˇ H.A. W. Slade, and Mr. C. Clementi (Clerk of Councils),
ABSENT.'
Hon. Mr. H. E, Pollock, K.C.
MINUTES,
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26—1908.
ed opinion of the inhabitants, it appear that; after all; [ils Majesty's Ministers will probably be found availing themselves, In some measure, of the very thing that the
Mr-Murrary Stewart replied, refusing to local, Prass concerning the alleged unsatis withdraidh ekspr
•{!.
A vote was taken, B All the Unofficis Members voted in favour Under Secretary of State said it was impossible of the resolution. Al, the Official-voted #gainst 10 g. But, Sir no sooner-had-ho-aid-this The resolution was lost by 7 voles ta; §; N than he seemed to rejunt, for almost in the next
'BUILDING AUTHORITY'S PROSECUTIONE, Į breaths ku clairned on behalf of the Govoramaut"] the support of the best opinion in thongkongresalation which stands in my pame: I do not Hon. Mr. Stewart: In proposing the second The inference is thatthough areasoned opinionis impossible to get, the kind obtainable is divisible intend to say more than a very few words: The into degress of comparison. Of these, that facts upon which it comments are common which supports the action of the Government property and it is unnecessary to do more than Naturally! But then the best cannot, on his is regarded by the Duder Secretary at the beat.recapitulate them briefly. Broadly speakiog they at sy be recapitulated thus. Early in the own showing, be worth anything. This, Sir, isscond half of july a large number of notices the explanatioɑ which I have" ventured to were served upon property owners in the name of the Building Authority, calling upon them. describe as unsatisfactory, realise that 1 have so described ita execute various repairs,
On the 14th July tremendous · raina 'fall, my own moderation.
causing considerable damage, and making a large call upon the reserve labour resources of
I am amazed at
And when I
The minutes of the Intl meeting were sends, it is the custom to ballot for the privilege
and confirmed...
PAPERS.
The Colonial Secretary, by command of the Governor, laid on the table the following Bessional papers :-
1
Report-on-the-Assessment for the year 1948-
1909,
Abstract showing differences between the estimates of expenditure for 1908 and 1909.
Financial statements in connection with the
Estimates for 1909.
Report on the Typhoon of 27th-28th July, 1908.
Report of the Director of Public Works for the year 1907.
FINANCE.
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the report of the Financa Committed (No. 15).
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
The Colonial Secretary laid on the table -Finchcial Minutes Nos. 44 to 56. It was agreed that they be referred to the Finance. Com. mitice.
R
THE OPIUM QUESTION.
Phe was misinformed there had been
WAS
we all have "reason
factory state of some of the stone railway bridges under construction in Kowloon and the New Teritory, have the Government any in formation to impart P
The Colonial Secretary replied that the in- formation lo question that the government was the Governor's speech on the Estimates willing to Impart would be communicated in
DEPAPPROPRIATION BILL.
log of a Bill entitled in Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding five millice Eve hundred nnd seventy thousand four hundred and twenty- seven dollars to the public service of the year 1909.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
· GOVERNOR'S BUDGET SPEECH. Addressing the Council on the Colonial Estimatos far, 1939,
Tlcome
es in Ceylon and Singapore as to the best premises stood in need al mending that be had we anticipated a'surplus of $49.359 our total debiting it to capital account as is not un...] spoosible for a gisat, part of the increase in the
method for discouraging the use of the drug. judging by the fact that they did nothing de date here it was natural to suppose they real red that there was no necessity for drastic measures, inasinuch as the gradual cessation of The Indian trade would, if China kept faith, automatically cpmail the extinction of the opium habit in this Colony, But when they found themselves suddenly faced with,
the problem of accepting or opp
for upon property owners to carry out during this
ם!
maht when we are not yet free from the heavy It is well përhape for this Council, to have depression which has so reduced our revenue occasionally the oplaton of a Güremors who would be a mistake. Nor is there adequate comes new to the Colony and-bes, had, experis reason for supposing that such an incrOSEC of
ence of works of this clust, and the value that it owas to the ability and hard work of soma of laxation would be permanently required. am prepared therefore to include it in the
its' junior officials. Neither, the principal nor estimate of available funds to meet next year's thedanual contribution to them Widow. liabilities, as was done with the Praya Reclama and Orphans fund in class dive are helped tlon Fund, etc, but I feel it my duty to point to M. C. and Iberefore officers pader;, the dut to you that it is, as I have said, in the head of extraordinary revenne or below The Colonial Secretary moved the first read-nature of a loan to tide us over our difficulties, the line as the phrase is. The total
the interest upon which we are liable for in-estimate of revenue ordinary and extraordina the form of pensions in future years. The same ary stands at $6,706,995, an increase of $481,106 applies to the annual' contributions in an farover gross expenditure for last year. at they exceed the liabilities of the pepsios list, now to the estimate of expenditure of 1950 These contributions aggregate $40,800 while This stands at $6,781,166; ab increase of $603,635 the pensions and expenses of the fund are over the estimates for last year, which in estimated in 1909 at $9,500 and we are, toand figures is accounted for as follows:---- moreover, relieved of the sum of $18,500, The fall in exchange which has had so large Sit, ja, the lousa 'of. Commant, owing to the
Stop being the interest payable on exchange, share to our deficits in the current year hitherto thrown under miscellaneous sarvícó His Excellency said :-Gentlemon,~Before I
means an increase in salarios only in 1909 of limited time at the disposal of privato mem-
voles. Our total liability therefore amounts to $156,278, new posts $13,139, incremental risor local contractors. Weile struggling with the deal with the Estimates for the coming year i ci'bringing Imward resolutions dealing with
extra work thus entailed the Colony was visited will invite your attention to the financial $421,800. For so long as the pansions is less $22,480, increases of salary and allownocon hy a severe typhoon, which impressed itself statement in connection with them, which has
than the estimated annual liabilities, for ko lang $10,677, less smail savings on various itama Baltar of public interest, and it seeins to
forcibly upon a great number of houses in been laid upon the table. From this you will have just so happened that Mr. Jobcios won
are we living at the expense of posterity, though $5,423, aquale $40,863..... the town, and left almost every house at
then the position is reversed we have to provide a place for bis opísm resolution, precisely as
the Peak calling toadly, through broken.
wes that the balance ol assots on December 31, he might have won a doll in a raffle at a
1007, stood at $1341,175, while the estimated
the difference to make good the passions. windows and gaplog roofs, for bazaar Up to this time the opium policy
imme balance on the 311 December, 1908, is 5951;116(ss. I do not look for any sympathy
but of our annual revenue. But cop the Government had been conducted with
diate repair. That was on the 28th July, at only, owing to the fact that a debit balance of with posterity from the taxpayers of the pre- commandable deliberation. Committed to it
to remember, From $581,049 is anticipated to accrue from the work by the passing of a former resolution in May
that time onwards for a month and more it was ing of the current year. I will first explam sent day who are sore pui to it to meet the go they had contented themselves with coo
'notoriously, imposible to execute repairs with how this deficit-which is the excess of the re- exigencies of the present depression, but i can cluding an arrangenbeat for the reduction of any degree of rapidity and it most bave been vised catimate of expenditure over the revised find some justification in the reflection that we the Indian export, and with instituting inquirithe experience of everybody whose house or
estimate of revenue-bas arised. In fact, since are to-day paying the full interest on the funds
borrowed for railway.construction instead of to wait, Nobody liked it because several falling off really amounts to $634,408. This large typhoons were distantly reported about this time sum is in round figures, accounted for as fol. usually done. Their general considerations and the prospect of being caught by one was lown-We expected to realise $151,000 loss are of such paramount importance in consider under the circumstances, distinctly disquicting revenue that we estimated for. There is an ng our yearly Budget that I have not hesitated But most people took a reasonable view of the increase of $38,000 in the total of ordinary to occupy some time in discussing them... position Rad, realising that every nerve was
rovoque, but a deficit of $190,003
I turn dow to the Estimate of Revenue under bring strainedby thearchitects and contractors, land sales. The expenditure, of the year
its various heads. I do not propose to go into put their tempers under restraint and exercised
in on the other hand about $478,coo morë great detail in the mater, for the printed the virtue of patience. It was therefore with
than we estimated for. The chief items estimates with their fully explanatory cote and something like amazement that we read one day in the papers of the issue of a large number Relief Fund $30,000, Typhoon damages signed to give the fullest possible information are as follows:-Contribution Flood appendices speak for themselves and are de of summons (ailure
excess over estimate exclusive of harbour of every increase and decrease, bath. io revenue 5101,600 and inclusive of cost of labour and and expenditure. It would be an insult to your period the former requirements of the Buildmaterial dus also to floods. (a) Balance of intelligence and an unnecessary waste of time ing Authority in the matter of repairs. I have excess over savings Public Works Départ for me to repeat information already at your calling upon property owners to appear at the been informed that as many as 99 were issued
ment $400. (b) Spend on Typhoon Retuge disposal, I have therefore confined my remarks and Causeway Bay, in Bicess of estito such points-as I think may be of real use to Police Court on one day, on the 21st August It is just this kind of inconsiderate proceeding savings in
mate $190,000; excess of expenditure over you in studying the estimates placed before you. Pablic Works Extraordinary: You will, I regret to BRY, Bote a decrease in which causes the ire of the general public and Dredger $165,00 C.B. 510,003, 588,0x0. Then the estimate of the amount which are expect brings the Administration into disfavour. again loss on exchange, estimated at 28. and 28.
ed to produce under most heads. This has In particular it naturally arouses the
1d., $80,000, which gives a total of $478,000. necessitated the imposition of some few in- ire of property owners and leads them to
As these are only approximate forecast I do
creased levies under certain beads and these something much stronger than disfavour savings on the various vates and the public
OR: regard the Public Health Ordinances with
not trouble you with details of the excesses and after most careful consideration I have thought it possible to impose. Such are the increased When the new Act was passed it was pointed works recurrent and public works extraordinary,
dues so lighters, cargo and water boste an nut on all hands and in this Council that its
increase of $17,oco, audemigration house; while success mainly depended upon the spirit in showing a small excess, sometimes a small sav The former vary from year to year, sometimas
the operation of the Companies (Local Register) provisions which its
were interpreted for, and cannot be estimated with exactitude. Act is estimated to bring in $20,000. In spite hnd the discretion with which they were to the case of the latter, every excess on expea applied. Is the debate on the Third Reading
of these new impositions the total under this had the temerity to express the hope that the explained to the Council and a vote taken for
diture not estimated for bas been fully head is still less by $15,493 than the catimate for the current year. Stamp duties, due to de- powers estrusted to that mysterious abstraction it at the time. The savings which have been pressed trade, are estimated to produce less than known as the Building Authority would be effected have not been at the expense of the this year, but I am taking steps to ensure their used with discretion. I understood Your Ex Law Courts and Post Office, which have beco more complete and thorough collection which ciliency to assure this Council, and through
pushed on as fast as possible. They amount will bring them up to the same tatal. You will this Council the community, that it was the $35,000 of which the postponement of Queen's observe that except for a small and negligible Government's desire to avoid unnecessary fric: Statue Pier, and of part of the work of raising decrease in the divan licenses no reduction tion in carrying out the provisions of the new
Des Vaux Road account for $10,000 each, and
has been made in the anticipated receipts from represented to you most of these summonses being on survey marks and filter beds. When which may occur in consequence of the policy. were promptly withdrawn, shows that you the year is completed and the accounts finally of His Majesty's Government remains unpro agreed with the general sense of the commu-made up full information can be given on those vided for and if there is no surplus at the end nity in thinking that they were unwisely issued. matters.
of 1909 they must be met by special taxa. But that such things can happen in spite of the assurances of Your Excellency and apparently
in some other way, I am still in corres. tion, or from the Colony's reserves, or without the knowledge and consent of the higher
pondence with the
Secretary of State in the chain of responsibility and with the officials of the Government suggests a weak lok
on this subject but the investigations which ide
have been conducted here have taken a long aceking to remedy this defect, in
time and the question has not reached any final the only way that lies open ID the
solution, so that it has been impossible for me Unofficial Members of this Council, namely by
to deal with it in the Estimates. If there had drawing particular attention to the weak spot,
bees any surplus, however small, of revenue i mova (~~~
over expenditure it would have been whether part of it should not be set aside for any pos. sible liability on this account instead of de voting it to public works; there is not only Do surplus at all but an excess of expenditure aver revenue of $73,179.
we associate with mere patty strife. The more
|
falare.
1.
i
Capital expenditure on P. „WE. 3219,700 less d'saving on P. W. R. $4,500, and of $47.950 military cogtribution $15,16 and prosions on special expenditure accounts for $167,150, $35,000, addition $50,161, while the additional intstest on loans for railway comes to $178,063 making a total of $633,635, The lose by the fallinaxchange in not of coniss ever fixed to the items of salaries alone but in all payments have to be made in sterling and is consequently res public works extraordinary whereas fast year on the best expert advice we felt justified in taclog the rate of exchange at 1/- forsterling salaries and at afr for all other items.. I have been advised that it is not safe to baso our cal culations for next year at a higher uniform tale than 1/9. The increases in every depart ment are due entirely to this course. In the necessary to create a small emigration sub Registrar General's department it has become
department in order to deal with the number of ‹- emigrants which has increased by thirty-four and a quarter per ceat in the ten years prior to 1977 and by' sixteen per cent, over the previous year 1928 and in consequence of the provision of the now Ordinance which affords increased protection to assisted emigrants. The examination of this class in now transferred from the ilarbour Office to the Registrar General's department, and the cost of the sub-department is $5,123 which is very much more than covered by the additional fees for medical in spection. In the Treasury audit there is nothing special to note. Under the Post Office you will observe that in spite of the reduction of mail subsidy by Caso there is an increase of 56,516 due to fall in exchange while transit payments are increased by $20,000. The position as to whether the receipts from postal agencies. Chins, should be liable to Military Con- tribution is, still under reference to 136 S. of S. The Imperial Treasury and the Municipall
y al ficut in bave between them guaranteed to refund the estimated loss on the working of that agency for the coming year and the Fost Office will therefore, I am glad to say, remain open. In the Harbour Department a special sam 01 $2,550 has been provided for a buoy for the
on account of the new light to be placed on Blackhead's Hill. These stops will, it is hoped, improve the navigation of the Harbour of which complaint was made when the s.. Flera west ground. They are the result of correspondence with the Admiral and the report of the special. committee. Regarding the Observatory I un- dertook tast year to inquire very specially into the efficiency of this department. The Di. rector assures me that the relations with other observatories are most cordial and that ba bes the best of instruments. He is the only person who can express an opinion on the latter point, but in order to ensure both these points I purpose that after the typhoon reason is past he shali vitit the observatories at Manila, and Shanghai and see their instruments and get loto close touch with the directors," He has complained ja delay of telegrams from Holbow and I have. In these circumstances the question of the this matter and I hops an improvement may be been in correspondence with the Viceroy on diminution of receipts from opium in conss. quence of the telegrams which I received from effected. In return we're sending improved the Secretary of State and read to this Council warning to Canton of impending typhoons. does not arise in connection with the estimates
We have also arranged a batter" system to ordinary revenue, exclusive of special light Bill now before you, I hope however at an early Government is relleved of a total payment of estimated for the current year, I refer of course and io consequence is not directly involved in the of telegraphic and telephonic communication with the Observatory. Undar Miscellaneous ducs, widows and orphans' fund and land salca. date to lay papers before you and to make $19,000 on account of interest on the Widows The locrease is $125,806, of which about $82,000 statement on this subject which will afford the is accounted for by new sources of revenue or unofficial members any opportunity, they may retained on the estimates for the redemption of and Orphans Food and pensions. $36,000 is increases in the previous duties act Neverthe desire of expressing their views. less there is a small increase of $43,800 and I
Class 3 of revenue shows an increase of subsidiary colage pending a final decision on
this question. trust that that increase, however small, may 541,404 which would be augmented to $58;404 be an augury that we have tarned a corner if the $17000 for postal transit charges
Considerable increases in salaries payable in and seen the worst year of the depression, referred to had not been, eliminated. sterling are due to fall in exchange. Under Still I must remind you that our estimated This sum is properly 'departments) | the vote for Land Office and Registrary salary revenue for 1959 is $388,834 less than the credit undar the new Colonial Re ir provided for a new applicant as deputy.offi. realized ordinary revenue of 1907, itself a gister and has therefore been deducted from cla! therein who will also undertake irade year of decline by 2.7 from the previous year postal expenditure instead of being shown as a marks registration. The necessity for this and weare $568,374 less than 1906 which repre- credit under the revenue subject to military extra assistance has been strongly urged by the sents the high water mark of our prosperity. In contribution. There is an increase of $5,000 Chief Justice and after careful inquiry. I have the decennial period, however, previous to under Gunpowder Storage due to a feller ura satisfied myself that it is necessary. Im. 1906, the gross revenue rose by the amar being made of the very fine depot at Green mediately on my arrival' the Chief Justice lng figure of 2691 per cent.-asarly treble-Taland which cost this Colony a large sum of represented to me the urgent necessity and we must not therefore regard it at mobay and has been little used in consequence of a third Judge both in order to lighten too serious a matter that our estim of the danger to private houses which were the work of the Judges and in order to ates of revenue for next year shows a 'de necesiny before it was built. In order to meet form a spore effective Court of Appeal. I found cline of 8.6 from the highest we have realized, the cost of the omigration sub-department is the that my predecessor bad not considered that I have been speaking of ordinary revenue. Registrar General's office and also to meet our the necessity had been demonstrated and the When we look at the figures for extraordinary needs for general purposes the fees for the medi- Secretary of State after a full review of the revenue we ́see the land sales, from which we, cal examination of emigrants have been increas. argument put forward by the Chief Janice had normally expect to realize about $300,000, only ed and this is calculated to yield an increase of finally negatived the proposal. I feel myself realize $159,750 in 1907, and are only estimated $22,on. There is also an increase of fees in that the existing Appeal Court which consists at 5110,ano in the current year. I have put the the Government School and Technical In- of iwa Judges only of whom the Chief Justice figure for 1909 at $150,000, for I believe the baro stitute and this is estimated to bring in al-had a casting vots must necessarily be a meter is pointing better weather and land sales together an increase for revenue purposes. It is farce since it practically probibited an appoal are the ladex of our financial barometer. There rather a natural result of increased facitilles from a decision of the Chief Justice are two other items under be head of estimated for education which havs resulted in a great canding, His Excellency said that the revenus for next year, and both merit a special increase in the number of pupils, and it must condition of affairs was very unsatisfactory, reference, $93,920 is not down as the product be regarded as a set off against increased ex both to the Chief Justice" and to litiganta, of the extra amount levied on shipping with the penditure on education. The decrease in the Practically there had been no Court of object of constructing the now typhoon refuge. fees for medical treatment owing to lower Appeal except for very rich litigants who This is appropriated to the work with no addition patients in hospital is the one solitary de- could take their cases to the Privy Council, At al contribution from the Government under create upon which I can congratulate the the same time be found that a third Judge was public works extraordinary. It represents not Council. The mors we spend on training nol not immediately becautery and he proposed merely the product of the extra emount charged lahe and sanitation, etc., the more we may that the Judge in Shangbai should come OD ocean shipping but also be extra dues expect to see our revenue from this source to Hongkong for appeal work. The levied on day and night entries of river decline and the health of the Colony improve. Secretary of State agreed to this, but the steamers. It is put under estimated revenue, The large rise in timber sales, $3,700, is due to information came too late to be included in the Secretary of State and H. O. having agreed the inauguration of felling operations which the Estimates. The cost would be £225 par to exempt it from M. C. There is also a sum now that the timber has matured in certain-cum-but-the-arrangement could only be of 5412,300 of which 5371,500 represents the srene has become possible; The scheme is to regarded as a temporary one. His Excellency invested capital taken over by the Government fell strips of or blacks of timber annually during referred to the Meteorological and · Harbour from the Widows and Orphans Fund, while .crcle of 25 to 30 years so that when the last Departments, Forestry and Education, Hs. $40,800 represents the contributions during the tip or block has been felled the sarliest in dealt at considerable length with the expenditura transfered this fund to the Goverment is too year. The debate on the Ordinance which rotation is again ready. The increased estimate on education in Hongkong, and contrasted with recent in your memories to need any detailed but i donot feel certain that it has not been, an at the revenue, hareat the United Kogat from this source should therefore be permanent the cost in the United Kingdom and showed reference on this occasion. The sum of money optimistic estimate. The increase is sales of of whereas Kingdom which it places at the disposal of the Government vaccing is one which I am especially glad to spent over za por centos is the capital fund, the interest on which in note since it indicates an increase
forecast.
We will tom now to the estimate for next year. When introducing the Estimates last year I had to express regret that the revenue. showed a progressive decrease. I am glad to say that we anticipate that we shall realize in 1909 a somewhat larger total than the amount
J.
Aerolution the terms of which conveyed can. sure of theic leisurely methods, they, evidently feared to offend the powerful following of the The Hon Mr. M. Stewart rise to move English anti-opiam agitators by opposing it, and in deciding to accept it, they became -that-la” the opinion of this Council the
oxious for tactical reasons to create the impre
· "rehsons"yiven in the House of Commons oo
sien that they were already, pursuing so active "the 28th July by the Under Secretary of State *for the Colonies, in explanation of the policy in all directions, and were everywhere leading, instead of being, driven into action, paremptory nature of the order issued to your
Thy therefore hurriedly forestalled the recom. "Excellency on the 6th May, are unsatisfactory!"
The reasons referred to were given in the mendations of the resolution with regard to debate on the Colonial Office vote. The fullngkong by despatching the telegram of the report of that debate, received here during the bay. The message was seat in order that recess, has no doubt been read with interest by announced in the debate on the opium resolu. in despatch and terms might be effectively. every member of this Council, and some of us, indeed most residents, must have felt grateful tion. As a tactical move it was well calculated. "The desired effectwai produced. The announce. to Mr. Lyttleton for having realised so 'clearly the point of our original protest and
ment brought down the House. Cheers greeted The Government scored. From a practical for having represented it so effectively. His
point of view the main object of the opium reference to the Colony was in these, terins (I quote from The Tics); -" in carrying out
licy was not advanced one jor. The ordinary the resolution of the House iar the dis
steps are now being taken-Despatches, ra
But the parts, consultation, compromise. 'couragement of the opiam traffic, it was presumed by every one who took part in that
main object of the telegrain was achiev rit. As I saul, the Government scored, "debate that any action taken by the Govern
That, reduced in simple narrative form, is, I meat would be deliberale add canious, "and in particular that they would seek breve, what the reasoned opinion of Hoog- 4to-ealist-the-co-operation of the authorities Long holds to be the history of this "apparent
ly high-handed proceeding." We could not of the various Colonies concerned, Unless understand it, al the time, because his compa- Act,and, Sir, the fact that on the matter being cattle depois for 11,000, the remaining $4,000 the opium trade, Any decrease therefore Cusi rocks, and sómoʻsmali expense is incurred grievous departure from that whalesome ruleratively harmless nature was obscured in the "in Hongkong. He was informed that a tele-
first instance by the news agencies interpolat. " gram was sent by the Secretary of State on
ing the word "forthwith" into the order to close. May 6th saying to the Colony of Hongkong But that, it now seems clear, is why the ordin
ilië divano, and because of other obscurities. that His Majesty's Government had decided
stood at $1,542,275 and this deficit will reduce The balance of assets at the close of 1937 were not tiken; and not the to close the uptum establishment in Honreuson-given-by-the-Under-ecretary. This
them between $981,126 and Sp61,126 which we "Kong. That telegram reached Hongkong
three hours before the statement
explanation at least fits the faces and by
anticipate will represent the amounts of our "made public in the House of Commons
the light of them the reasons given by
reserves at the end of the current year. You the Under Secretary are and therefore before any information was
Scen LO (all
will no doubt observe out of the total sum vouchsafed to the Colony as the matter confused heap, forming sumbling blocks in.. to the ground, and to lir, in, a
debited to the reserve, viz, 5581,000, about "Absolutely a previous consukution had
$200,000 is on account of the typhoon refuge which in my statement, I said we should have takes place, so far as he was informed, and
stead of "ordinary stops" towards making the ao opinion taken of the members of the policy of the Government palatable. I cannot.
That the members of this Council regret that the remaining quarter of this year. may 10 charge partly against our Reserves. I trust Legislative Council. He hoped there understand a better way of making the policy the recent action of the Building Authority in show da improvement in revenite and that this would be some explanation given of this oalatable in this Colony than by an "instituting on a large scale criminal proceed-estimated deficit may prove to be an excessive "apparently high-handed proceeding."
reflections on our good ime in defence of "ings against property owners for failure to The explanation offered by the Under Secre- nethods due to the immediate needs of Minis "comply with the requirements of the law
tis c ́eated, by the exigencies of debate. The tary of state for the Colouies was 'ns follows:-
under circumstances which, in the majority "With reference to the complaint that we took policy will be made more or less palatable ne "action without consulting the authorities of it is dictated by higher motives thao those which
"el caste, rendered compliance impracticable. cording as the belief gains or loses ground that
Mr. Slade seconded, holding that the Build- "Hongkong, although they did their best 10
ing Authority should have exercised that dis- ascertain the views of the people, it was quite we are convinced at this the less, to adopt cretion which the Ordinance reposed in him. impossible to get anything like a reasoned
He hoped that some way would be found to "opinion from the inhabitants of Hongkong."
Sir Henry Blake's expression, shall we kick.
see that those directly connected with the ad- Sir, I think it is nut to be wondered at if
Of course, the Under Secretary could not
ministration Hongkong.inhabitants find that a hard saying.
be expected to explain the matter in this
the Ordinance would attempt The impression which it is calculated to create
way. But surely he ought never to have to carry out His Excellency's intentions in come within measurable distance of setting upon-the-mind of any reader is obviously an
The Director of fublic Works submitted the unfavourable impression. The words suggest
up such a clumsy indictment to do duly as that the inhabitants are impossible people to
an excuss. No doubt, it is open to nayons to following statement, which, he said, was deal with. No one could take it for a compli
contend that you cannot get a reasoned opinion proof for refusing to pass this resolution - ment. Anyone might take it as a slight. At the very leat, it is open to misconstruc -tion.Il-is.not even clear. Who did their-best?- His Majesty's Ministers or the Hongkong Au thorities? There is room for just that much ambiguity owing in the speech being reported in the third person. But this ambiguity does not really signify, for His Majesty's Ministers would naturally seek to ascertain the views of the people through the Hongkong Authorities. When and how did His Majesty's Ministers thus do their bast? The telegram which they caused to be sent on, the 6th May contained no reference to the views of the people. It merely notified you, Sir, of an impending announcement. Apart, from that, the explana tion is required to cover an antecedent period, It is, therefore, pertinent to inquire when, over, did the Ilome authorities approach the Hongkong authorities with the object of ascertaining the views of the people? And did the Hongkong authorities inform them that ressosed opinion was non-existent id the Colony? I imagine not. How then did the Under Secretary of State come by this know- Ledge? He bad scarcely been long enough at his duties to bave learnt it by experience, and it can hardly be that he derived it from the permanent officials of the Colonial Office, be- cause in that case Mr. Lyttleton would also have known of our "parious state" and we would have realised why we were thas treated, which ba manifestly did not. However, having unaccountably delivered him- self of this statement, the Under Secretary then proceeded to twit Mr. Lyttleton with having previously expressed approval of the Govem His Excellency the Governor replying.. ment's policy, Mr. Lyttleton explained his pointed out that Hansard for July for the former utterance thus:-"I agreed with that Imperial Parliament bad not yet reached this
policy but what I said was that every person
Colony and there was therefore no record of Hof sense presumed that ordinary steps had the actual words used by the Under Secretary, bean faken that would make the policy palu The Times report was at an actual record being Htable," Uponthisthe Under Secretary said reported in the third parton. Afthesame time be
Mr. Gresson thought that the words of the *The ordinary steps could not be taken for the did place on it the construction which had been on why the resolution should be red (reason presumably, that because it by Mr. Stewart. The statement that son passed. was impossible to get a reasoned opinion it was impossible to obtain a reasoned opinion These notices were issued at an extraordinary From the inhabitants of Hongkong.. And yet, from Hongkong appeared to him to mean that notwithstanding this, he proceeded to say that
time and it seemed to him, as the Director of the ordinary stops were now being taken of the accession of the new Secretary of State of Hongkong was extremely anxious to com Apparently the reason given" suddenly coas and the pronouncement in Parliament Hair with the regulations. Reference had been ed to be operative. It is all a little puzzling, was unaware that any steps had been taken to made to the fact that the Building Authority First the admission is made that the issue of consult the people of Hongkong on the subject is not asked to grant a period of grace. He the order in question, without previously con- Perhaps further communications from home should say the answer to that was obvices, No sulting the authorities of Hongkong, was an would throw light on the position. When be such question was put to bim because nobody, extraordinary step to take; next it is claimed that read the Under Secretary of State's reply in the expected summonses to be issued at that parti this extrardinary step was justifiable because it House of Commons he considered that it was cular period. was quite impossible to get anyibing like satisfactory. Personally be heartily endorsed a reasoned oplaíon from the inhabitants; and the words of the mover of this resolation that then, refuge is taken in an assurance that the higher the motive which prompted the hanceforth the action of His Majesty's Ministers policy of the Government and the more they will be guided by the advice received from were convinced that the motive was based your Excellency, To those of us who have not on the exigencies of party politics but on Confidence that the advice offered by your Ex-the conditions of the country the more willing Galiency will give das weight to the reason | ¡y should they co-operate.
from any large number of people. But I sub- mit that it could ouly be averied of us in the sense in which it would be true of almost any
unfor-
community. To one sense it would be true of London or Liverpool, Manchester or Glasgow, to make a similar remark about the io. But I think that no politician would be likely habitants of any English, Scotch or Irish town. He would be likely to hear about it if he did. Are we in conclude that because we are so far fully considered? Does consideration vary way our susceptibilities need not be so care. with the distance? Tins would be State for the Colonies to create. It might have tunate impression for any Under-Secretary of een expected that he would be careful to avoid in even the most distant of the communities making remarks calculated to arouse resentment
connected. But perhaps we shall be told that with which for a time he is to be officially
he did not say it; that he said something quite may be, menning will be read into the text different;
that the reporter is to blame, 01.
which will help the. Under Secretary out. This has already been done by Editors and others who like most of the rest of us here have
found it, as on explanation, inexplicable. Jn the meantime as the statement stands in the columns of The Times for all meo to read, it seems to me that it is the doty, of the Vaofficial Members of this Council to challenge it, and therefore look to my collea gues to support me in voting for the resolution, which I have designed for that purpose, and which now mòva.
Mr. Wei Yuk seconded.
Period which
Date of inue Number
of sammons
with is explained by s
number of summonses
taken out as compared »
with the number of notices not complied
20 jany deficiency in the
the fact that, in some |cases, work was in progress at the time. of inspection and that, i
in others, it was not
possible to obtain the -jaddress of the owner
14 days
15
45
42
of the property or his
451
640
..
Pro
it was impossible to obtain it between the time Public Works himself'admitted, that the public addition to the manual contributions goes to pay i tion among the Chinese,ase of vaccina. With regard to the military contribution, His
A vote was taken.
$371,500 is therefore in the nature of a loan to note except the satisfactory collection of the the annual charges for pensions. This sum of in class thres there is nothing very special viz, the interest upon it is future years in the land reveste in the New Territory. During current revenue. It should therefore theorell- fodad, no subject of greater interest than the form of pensions will have to be mal out of the year I have been the Colony. I..have cally be invested in some remunerative workland settlement in the New Territory and I have which would bebafit the Colony and at the been impressed alike with the ability shown by same time produce : sum equivalent to the prasant Assistant. Colonial Secretary in tus interest to meet the new charge the original assement and the tact, energy and up to revenues. Seeing however that discrimination of his successors; Mesir Wood was have to mast a deficit this year and Halifax, who have made the collection inch larger than the capital sum I would only have a success. The revenue derived is many times xo treated it by imposing new taxation to the greater than that levied by the Chinese Gov- Jall amount of this capital sum: 1 believe andamment, prior to 1898 Yet. It is paid, with The Hon. Mg, M. Stewart asked With ra those whose advico I bays sought have brged alacrity and has been so justly assessed that. ference to reposts which have appeared in the | upon ma that to impose taxation at this mos ad hardship or diacontant le felt by the puple,
As in the case of the former resolution all the unofficial members voted for the resolution and at the officials against it.
The resolution was lost by 7 voles to 5.7
KOWLOON-CANTON, RAILWAY.
Excellency said that the proportion of the'. Colony and regarded as an insurance against contribution to the capital value inrested in the war risks, was not even two per cent, even if it 43 and 41 per cent of the total estimated re- were ose par cent. In the United Kingdom venue was spent on defence and in that sum was included from one-half to two-thirds of the cost of the defences of Hongkong The Public Works Department showed a considerable in- crease mainly due to the affect of the fall in exchange which increased the dollar sinies of the British staff ga
Referring to the Canton to
way bla Excellency sald be had anxiety regarding, the foundations of s the major bridest