HONGKONG'S HOUSING
PROBLEM.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRIPE,
FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1923.
Protection Against Eviction. of a domestic tenement. It these booties mid that the anless it is in point of fact an en- these facts before the tenants. At b, I reminded him of a story of I think there can be no doubt, makes the lessor liable to a fair rent mounted - to “rather rely new building; and that there-the same fime 1 got in touch with Abraham when the Angel w Sir, that this revision of the lawpenalty for demanding or receiv-staggeringly high figure. I am afraid fore a building reconstructed under Bishop Pozzoni, who put at my nounced is required in order to protecting more than his due under this that some tenanta are disposed to the former Section but not coming
to him the intended dupoval Bea Hel for thase destruction of Sodom: "I will not tenants from being arbitrarily | Ordinance. What, Sir, can be interpret fair rent as amounting to within the latter is subject to the tpants 进 Robinson
I should have liked, fairer than to subject a man to a low rent or fair to the pocket of Rent's Ordinance. Whether the end of the year. With regard tolor. I will reduce it: Find me five Road destroy the city if tan persona cañ which Wall The ready at the be found." I said, "Find me ten," of them I mean. I do not say that myself, to have made that revision penalty under the Ordinance for the tenant. Of course it has standard rent of such a building the senior honourable member's))
even more wide. I should like in demanding more than the standard meaning of that sort in ordinary
(Continued from Page 3)
some of them may not manage to
pay the rents in the houses opposite
Palermo Buildings, but at all events there is a certain limit to the accommodation there. The Bea
I
turned out.
to
Of course, 18
1
in
maximum
or any peston boun put residing demolition and reconstruction of with him he cannot turn the tenant premises within their discretion. out unless he shows that alterna-
A Monstrous Thing.
геде
A Really Hand Cate.
Therefore, Sir, there can be
Оле
be
very
The
well as
the definition ol
round.
SPEECH.
an extent
twelve months,
по
-rent
aor
condition
We
the 31st reference to Palermo Buildingservation and I am sure the Gov- who will build houses in this re- the Rents Bill to have substituted rea? What sympathy can possib-parlanes. If you are going to have would be the rent the word "approved" for the wordy be extended to anybody who saya Fair Rents Board you would December, 1990, or the
at the landlord very kindly reduced "received" and in the second clause to a tenant-who perhaps has been have to bare a Board which would which the building was Arst let the reas, from $50 to $50, and 1ernment will meet them more than (instead of "are received" to have tenant for some year--am sess the rent a being fair all after the reconstruction, would put this offer to the tenante; but half way." He went out and, hás
It would have to be fair, probably depend upon whether the they came to the with a refusal top not returned. substituted hot being approved," going to raise your rent"? consfield flats are aut, very well and instead of "after have sub-tenant objects that he is a poor amongst other shings, from the reconstructed house was or was not take the ground floors becausej
Now there is no racial question adapted to residential purport tated the words "prior to" But, and cannot pay more and is point of view of the outley which substantially certainly not so much a Belitics Sir. in these matters it is desin then told, “Well, if you do not the landlord hal expended, first of former house. I have ventured the attitude cl
identical with the they were tiled. I hope I may in all this. We are prepared to But give offence when I say that make a similar proposition to any Terrace and are the only fats that able to have unanimity among the round the corner who will pay is in reconstructing the building in order to give wide publicity to of them but the attitude of some kiz, We have in fact recently
want to pay more, there is someone
all in buying premises, and second.
repeat this important opinion here tenants-by no means the majority separately among its own kith and some of these community which may wish to live can be considered in any way Unofficial members. The matter it." What is the position of the the high prices which prevail at cheap. The Jordan Road fats and has been threshed out and for the lessor under the JAW
Therefore, 1 point of law which probably is of them is in accordance with Mr. leased, without auction, to Chinese the present time. i 32 the date opposite Orient Building sake of unanimity I am simply stands at present? Although the must confess, Sir, although I bave not generally known to the public. Micanber's maxim of waiting an area on which they propose to cannot be considered at *t a moving what I consider the less law says he cannot receive more taken a great deal of trouble can. My Chinese colleague and I also for something to turu up within the murana of the tenants. strong clause, and indeed I may than the standard rent. be can aidering this point, that I'abink it support the proposed amendment rather than with the more streau-manent residence of members of build dfty houses for the per- Rent an Imports at Factor. (say quite frankly the less advisable bluff, more reut out of the old would be a doubtful paligy it for imposing a penalty upon
ous proverb that God helps these the Chinese community. 1 expect, sir, that by and by clause. At all events this clause, tenant or get more rent from the Fair Rents Board were established lesne who, of walu fide intens, who help themselves." "I am tok a we shall be told that there are even in the shape in which I propose ex. He knows that he has no and I have only come to that con- demands as receives more than the house agen:, but I am satisfied that
A Petition... numbers of dats in Kowloon that to move it, will have, I am per-right to demand more rent, but yet lesion with the very greatest re-standard rent.
arrangements will, I now come to the case present- We trust that this satisfactory are unoccupied That is no real suaded, a good effect in regard to be bluffs it out because it is a safe luctance, because my sympathy in
There is this matter is entirely on the side amendment will be found acceptable eventually be made for getting all ed to us by the Chinese. I will answer to the matter at all. It is reconstructions. It will give the Proposition to do, so.
by the Government so as to give regard to the Senior Unofficial the Hongkong Tenants Protective these people into new homes. With read a portion of the Petition from quite true you may be able to ge: Government a Committee to refer bsulutely no peasily. If the bluft of the tenan!.
a check to the machinations of the Another Dificulty.
member's a Eat at Kusloon, but after all to, which will have power to post-comea uff he gets so much more
remarks about the Society, which has 4,000 subscrib rent, but if it does not come off, be Another kind of difficulty, per iniquitous intermediate tenant.
unscrupulona landlord and the question of rent anal, in the pone reconstruction from time
gets off scot free without any baps.
Beaconsfield Arcade property, Ing members representing, approxi- not exceeding
which might be created case of persons of limited means, time for a period
may mention that these flats have mately, 40,000 members of families. 13 months in all.
Pelts. Surely, Sir, that is not by a Fair Rents Board-if est- Continuation Necessary. form
been and are tenanted, by Sanitary The petitioners say: just, and it is with a view to re-ablished; is that you might cause s very important factor.
Turning, new, to the complaints Inspectors and other Europeans in
*3-A great number of cases Even those premises which some of months is put as
medying an injustice like that that certain amount of dissatistartion of the landlords, we Are the tenants are willing to go into period, but it by no means follows we consider this clause should be ia the mind of a landlord of anf that the operation of the Ordinance (them have been there a consider have been forced to vacate pos sware the Government service. Some of have gecurred in which tenants will involve a considerable addition that the Committee would recom- put ia.
old building who wished to recon does entail hardship on some, Jable time. mend any such long period as that. An Erroneous' Ides.
session of their tenancies under to their rent. I should like is
.stcuel
You might have all sorts especially on those to whom their It is only put in by way of protec- It is to be hoped, Sir, that of inequalities. Of course, if you rent constitutes their sole source
Section 4 (1) (1) of the Renta draw the attention of this Council tion as a maximum period. I think when this clause is inserted, as we were to adopt the suggestion
The European åspect. Ordinance, 1922, which allows the to the somewhat reniackable differit is certainly advisable that in trust that it will be.
Now, coming to it will have seen given of making the income; but such a
the European ejectment of tenants is cases in cace in language between the lab any legislation which the Govern be made widely known by the fair rests of reconstructed buildings of affairs is unavoidable in speciale of the question, I have been which the landlord intends to re- guage of section 4 (D) (e) and of if meat is now making they should Secritary for Chinese Affairs, and the same as the rent of any other legislation of this nature.
directly approached by one family. [build domestic tenements so as fo of the Rents Ordinance 19. Iprotect the tenants this way that the tenants who have this kind building in the same block, that can only hope that the demand for
and in that case I waa able to make them new buildings within the case of 4 (1) (e) where the lessor from the operation of the notice of bluff tried upon them-of de would be a very simple rule of houses will soon be met to such arrange with the landlord for the meaning of the Public Health requires the premises for his own to quit, and also that there shouldmanding higher rent as a penalty of thumb to go by, but it would bard
them to be put into another tene-land Buildings as will justify this ment. Various
Ordinance, 1923, occupation for himself or his family be a Committee able to postpone their leaving the premises—will go] [y give an equitabla return to the Council in repealing the measure made relating to persons employed certained that possession has not references were and it has been subsequently as to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs person reconstructing bis building.which, whatever good is may do in the Naval Yard. That is an been obtained in accordance with and that he will then put the proper I thought perhaps, as I have con- does not get to the very root of Admiralty affair, and all I need say the provisions of the Ordinance. machinery in motion to prosecute sidered this matter at some lengtb.the oil. But, Sir, while the shor is that these men have (any such cases. It is useful also it would interest the Council to tive
3 house In these cases the deterrent con- accommodation reasonably It seems to me a monstrous from another point of view, and hear my views on that point. Itage exists, the continuation of the allowance which adequately meets tained in equivalent
Section 20 has been as regardss rent and thing that these unfortunate that for emphasing this ques must apologise for having taken Ordinance appears to 113 to be the rest of available Hats in Kew-insufficient to prevent the evil suitability in all respects is avail-tenants without any fault of their ton of standard rent. I think up so
much of the time of the necessary, and we will therefore loon. I have also been approach- while the tenants have lost all able. In section a (0) (0) there is own should be turned out in the would be
good thing Council.
vote for its extension for another ed regarding two private hotels-protection granted by the Ordin- nothing of that sort at all. The way I have described. And. Sir, if we widely pablished - in this
HON. MR. KOTEWALL'S
"Kingsclere" and a private board-ance. the tenant simply has three months may I point out that this clause is Colony, Chinese A
COL. SECRETARY'S REPLY.ing house, consisting of four notice to quit given to him and here diy to carry out
4.-Your Petitioners further de of the English,
The Hon. Colonial Secretary: Inhouses in MacDonnell Road. It is sire to call the attention of the is left apparently to fend for him-fundamentals expressed in the standard rent as it appears in 2 Hon. Mr. Kotewall, said: Sir,view of the numerous points which proposed to put 25 houses on the several Members of the Legis- ", self regardless of whether alterna original Objects and Reasons
F of the Pents Ordinance. 1922, During the last fortnight my Chinese have been raised, which cover Kingsclere site, and to substitute lative Council to the case of the tive premises are suitable in all of the 1921
because it certainly is not under-ulleague and I have received rather wide dald, I would like, be-for two houses of the boarding persons now housed in 26 domas- Bill. that exist-
stood that a tenant of an old build- "respects and also regardless alto fing occupiers shall net
numerous communications from fore I begin, to express the oblige house and one other independent tic tenements situated 13 in Upper ing need only pay the rate at which gether of the fact whether they are turned sat as long as they are the premises were let on the 3 Chinese property-owner and tea- tion of the Government to the house in MacDonnell Rosd, eight Rutter Street and 18 in
Lower reasonably equivalent as regards willing to pay the rent. Sub-
December, 1920,
ants in regard to the working of senior Unofficial member for his section 3 of section 4 of the
investigation of numerous cases of ten houses 1 am afraid I could Rutter Street. These houses are The idea seems to prevail in cirth Reats Ordinance, the former hardship and in exploring all the do nothing in this case except to about to be pulled down by the Rents Ordinance, 1922, does give cles which one would expect to be mainly complaining that the mea-avenues which might possibly lead talk of blocks of flats in Kowloon, landlords and approximately 2,000 a certain power of suspension of better informed, that if the landare has wrought hardship on to solution of this most difficult and I was met by various objec-persons
will be disposzissed, doubt that the case of these ten turning out, but unfortunately it urd can only get the old tenant large number of good landlords, housing and rents question. tions more or less valid—rather mostly employed us conservancy anta-I refer to Chinese and Porta- gives it at such a late stage as out and get a new tenant in, and the later urging more string would like to add my thanks aleo, more valid than less. I also sug-coolies. It is feared that these guese-is a really hard une. It wo to be practically of little use to some mysterious way the landent provisions for their own pro I might alad remark, on the excel gested taking the new hotel on persons who discharge a neces- the tenant who, of course has to ford is free of the restrictions of teation. I need not trouble the lent work done by the members re-which I had at the time an option,sary service will not be able to happens, absolutely without fault of their own, that their parti make his arrangements for new the Rents Ordinare. There - Council by repeating what these preventing the Chinese community and I now repeat that suggestion. find <ther suitable accommodation cular promises happen to have been
greatly in Do be a more enodeons upision)
hare, uol and will be unable to continue than that. In the case of sa aple call each other. As regards 0 beball of their compatriots. Honourable members pitched upon by some wealthy pur
inmedia-doubt, seen an advertisemen! in their work satisfactorily. chaser who has taken it into hisi
building any tenant, whether old the suggestions embodied in these
tely before this Council
Your Petitioners therefore are the papers, and I suggest that petitions from the tenants of those having experience of Euro-humbly pray that the several head that he would like to the sub-section referred to, pro-dard rent: snd I think it is a pity, notice of the Government, through of Rutter Street, to which I will together and rent this building as cil will be pleased:
slan league and I have brought to the Belilios Terrace and the residents pean hotel management, might get members of the Legislative Coun Sir, that that is not more widely the Honourable Secretary loft whem they are and to continus accede to the amendment which
Government to understood than it is at the present Chinese Affairs, such of them
For refer Inter Regarding Bellios a barding houre for European 71) To consider an amendment
as Terrace, there are forty-two) to pay their rent." And 1 do sub I shall move in Committee I am struck, as Chairman of the Housing consideration; and I have also sensouls, housed in the 27 buildings off may be evicted from their present with a view to making provision I have been very much appeared to as to be worthy of families, numbering about 200 occupation-by those persons, who to the Rents Ordinance, 1922, mit. Sir, most earnestly that their not asking them to adopt an ex-Commission, in hiding out that the Honourable Attorney General these three terraces, and it in. case deserves every attention from tirely new principle, because the people are extraordinarily ignorant about one or two-points having a
doubtedly is, as the senior Un- the hands of this Government. As principle of postponement of de- of the protection accorded to thers
European Reservations. I said that now I am quite aware livery of possession is recognised by this Rents Ordinance, even Ry legal aspect The Hon. Mr. Chanoficial member has said, a very that the Acting Colonial Secretary by sub-section 3 of sub-section it stands at present in their favour. Siu-ki and I have given all the self contained community should deeper than that. It
But the root of the matter gres great bard-bip that this sheltered
goes, right is doing his best in Chim matter of the Rents Ordinance 1922.
suggestions that have been brought be evicted at such short notice, but down to the question of European but I think it is time that some Unfortunately, it is recognised as There is another wabject, Sir, to our notice our careful considera-it must be remembered that owing reservations. alteration of the law should be 40 late a stage at a stage when which I should like to refer to, and son; and if we are not advocat to the generosity of the Balilion I do not propose to deal with this made to prevent the hardships judgment has been recovered that the questionof the establishing more amendments than those family over a long period of years, somewhat thorny subject excep: from being legalised in the future, against the unfurtunate tenantment of a Fair Repts Board. la mentioned by the Honourable their rents bava cot been from the aspect of the economic the relief of persons employed in And it is with: that and ia. that practically it is of very little conection with this subject Senior Unofficial Member, it is appreciably increased, while during pressure which is gradually driv- necessary duties.
It is necessary, I submit, bould like to point out that as re-because
.w realise that the the same period their salaries, sad ing Europeans out of the districts And your Petitioners will ever after for somebody like a Committee of new buildings, which have Ordinance a purely temporary consequently chuse e, of which I have band three persons to have the powered since the passing of the Rents undesirable to tinker more than they are now in a much more far fish against the Government, and
rent.paying in which they have lived for many pray ác.. hadan occupation certificate grant
measure, at which it would
capacity, have been considerably years. A number of persons have Dated the 14th day of June, 1923. Your Excellent an earlier stage to intervene Ordinance, they are entirely out-
Bugmented, with the result that been peralatantly crying "stinking
Mak Lai Chi, the amente in the interests of the tenants.
side the Rents Ordmanze
is absolutely necessary. That
President that the following new clause bel
ourable position than the zeigb some of those who have cried Second Amendment,
was pointed out by the learned
A Point of Law.
Wong Kam Ying, inserted, after clause 6.-
bours who surround them. The Now, Sir, I come to the second Attorney General is the first read-
We strongly support the proposed matter came to my attention some
Vice-President. Section 4 of the principal Or-amendment, which it is proposed ing of the 1921 Bill, when he said, amendment the first amendment time before the petition reached. It may interest bonourable to move in committee, that is, that on page-79 of Howard: Such mentioned by the Hon. Mr. Polme. On the very morning on members to know that a year er (i) by the insertion after sub-clause 9 of the Bill be amended as new buildings will be entirely free lock for giving power to a Com which I received it I get the option two ago the Government initiated these properties which are to be
section (1) thereof of the for- follows:
from the restrictions of the Ordi-mittee, to be appointed by the of 34 Aste at West Point-two a proposal to make a European re- demolished. lowing sub-section, to be num- i) By substituting "rections Danes and the capere, will be Governor-in-Council, postpone roomed fats of a European style servation in the large area round Conservancy coolies is being dealt bered (2). (2) Notwithstand- are" for "section is" in the extitled to charge whatever reals the operation of notices to quit, I had not seen them at the time, the lower part of Peak Road. It with by the Government who is ing anything contained in
they can obtain. Therefore, as and the demolition and reconstrac but I sent the committes rf the was essential, of course, that all making arrangements to house paragraph (1) of sub-section
regards sew buildings which have tion of domestic tenements for tenants to investigate and they the owners of houses in that disthem in temporary quarters on a (1) of this section a Committee
received eccupation certificates: prescribed period
reported that they were not suit-trict should agree that the houses large piece of ground. Among The section of three persons, appointed by
where he lover, it just which has just been read out or able, partly on account of the sani should only be let or sold to Euro- other cases quoted is that of Me- the Governor in Council, may,
that Government have defn- or receives more than the itely taken up that position. Then the Hon. Sesior Unofficial Member account of danger from Bre, being place, and most of the owners ac-which came immediately to the tary arrangements, and partly on peans. Many conferences took Gregor Street. That is the first in its absolute discretion, post-i
standard rent for
comex the question of domestic tenement shail un-buildings to be built Done
new is so framed, as will obviate the operation of the
any in a Chinese locality: I went down cepted the proposal. Some stood notice of the Government, 900 notice to quit and
the possible imputation of bad faith peronally and looked at them. also thei
less he proves to the satis future. What is to
a free persons are being dispossessed by font saying "No, we want demolition and reconstruction
faction of the Magistrate, with regard
done on the part of the Government in
Two Flats in One. to them?
market for our houses. We want reconstruction of these very old Well, mgard to reconstruction, because The rent was $45 for a two-room- that he acted bona fide, be Sir, this question has engaged it is to affect only future applica,fed flat, bit by putting to flats intefto know certainly, that we shall and undesirable tenements. The lable upon summary con- my earnest attention, and I mustions therefor. It will also obviate, one they would get a four-coomed have a sale when we
leave the Government considered, the case viction to a fine not exceed copfess that, in siew of the extreme any fear that hardship may be in-flat for $90, I agreed with the Colony and are ready to go home and was satisfied that reconstrus- or fifteen years. We Lion was necessary and desirable ing one thousand dollars. need which exists for new building Aicted on some landlords, or that tenants that they were not soitable, after ten thority on or before the 14th I submit that that clause is af being erected on fresh sites, it day of Jure, 1923) from time very useful and a very necessary might be a doubtful policy for the good opportunity of having old At the same time the Relilios may be unable to find a buyer Efforts were made to transport Terrace houses struck me as being with this restricted market." the tenants to Shamakalpo and to time for a period not ex-one I would remind the Council Government to create a Fair Rent and insanitary houses pulled down in the very last stage of dresy, Other owners took the attitude the question of housing them is ceeding 18 months in all from that a lessor includes not merely Board for such new buildings. It and rebuilt would be lost, because literally tumbling to bits. I in that they could not come in unless matsheds was considered, but they the date of the receipt of each the first landlord but the prin- might create a certain check upec the Committee is to be allowed sited the assistance of Mr. J. M. everybody agreed. Fairly recently disappeared. I can state from plans by the Building Au- cipal tenant of premises or the what undoubtedly is the main absolute discretion in the exercise Alves, who rendered me very great a safe in this area has put the personal investigation that thority.
lessor of a floor or even the lessor thing which the Government wisher of its power. While on this subject assistance in this matter, and we final nail in the coffe of the scheme, the Rutter Street property All plans for the demolition of two or three cubicles; the to accomplish, and toat is the pro- of reconstruction, I wish to say went over together to Kowloon and The Story of Abraham-
which is to be demolished or reconstruction of domestic lessor of any portion of the build-duction of 'nes buildings upon that I am deeply indebted to the visited blocks containing altogether
Ira most undesirable property. tenements which are received fing from the whole building down/sites which havé not been previous-Honourable Attorney General, toited the new butat. When I re-sons have approached me on this who accompanied me said he would Quite recently a number of per and the Building Ordinance Officer,
the said date shall be referred it is proposed to make llable to buildings, I think there are con.for the opinion that a domesti turned I sent for various landlords, subject of a European reservation; (be thankful to see it come down,
*
premises at a very creased rent,
No New Principle.
ut
Hon. Mr. Pollock having read only to be charged the
DOW, has the esme right communications my Chinese col
for
scheme of reconstruction į These peoples only desire is to be;
ceeded,
In asking the
-view that I shal
clause to
move new fuse.
a
be
inkerted
ed a" copy
10
1
"J
dinance is hereby amended
of domestic tenemeris (in eases in which plans for the construction have not been
received by the Building Au
the said Committee: ...
first line thereof; and
clause 9 the following:
(1) By inserting at the end of
29. Every lessor who demands
any
moment.
Fair Rents Board.
Ty built upon.
in
be
to
With regard to reconstructed hom I went to seek enlightenment,
The matters
1400
their
some 120 new fats, and I also.
tenements.
loudest have the least, cause to dó
for the protection of tenants wrongfully dispossessed, by add- ing to Section 20 of the Rents Ordinance the words:
"And the Magistrate may. order the lessor to allow the Iesses possession of such domestic tenement."
(2) To consider measures for
A
The Conservancy Coolies.
I may say I have been over all
The case of the
This Colany
Houses Under Construction.
when terr
capacity of absorbing has been exe
by the Building Authority after to a bedspace, and that person by the Building Authority to a penalty if he demands or re-sidersble difficulties in the way of tenement reconstructed under Bec and got the option on a number of fection that while they are willing including the landlord of the hotel, but there has always been the ob- ceives more than the standard the establishment of a Fair Restation Subsection 1 (f) of the buildings at rentals varying from to rent they are not prepared to (ii) By renumbering sub-sections rent for any domestic tenement, Board, One of the difficulties principal Ordinance is not neces870 to $150. I consulted the build for the reason
(2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) which I have explained includes that 1 see is that if abe reinin sariy respectively, (3), (4), (6), (6) | every kind of lessor and every is to be eight per dent upon the
owners of Belilios Termice, who met Ing the Calony they will not ne and "(7) respectively...
kind of division or sub-division total outlay we might possibly in
the more than half way and have misõp Owis, mosk considerate, and we put
new buit