THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
LONY'S BUDGET FOR 1929.
REVENUE.
EW GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GAOL & G.C.H. NEEDED IN NEAR FUTURE.
#
o PESSIMISTIC
:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1928.
ECONOMY.inst the year and have had some (the matter will come before you Service Salaries,"
The remainder of the $5,000,000 Public Works Loan is Shortly to be issued, money being needed for Harbour Develop ment and Aerodrome works, whilst the cost of any new water cheme decided upon for Hongkong will be met by a new loan.
Although no provision is made therefore in the Budget, twas foreshadowed that in the near future now Government Offices, a new Gool and a now Government Civil Hospital will probably be needed.
less casy.
matter
Education. Head 28. The activities of the Educational Department havo dur Ing the last few years boon widened very considerably and the increase of $30,814 for 1929 is almost on- tirely due to increase in personal emoluments. An extended staff is required to keep pace with our developments and, as I have al ready explained, the initial salaries have had to be revised to attract recruits of the desired standard. Item 29 under Head 28 shows a large reduction, Comparatively, a personalle authorised building which might become a charge on the building grants vote is in view and It will be necessary to make it clear that grants during the year will not bo considered unless full authority has been given in advance.
allowance of £300 for mysel
Post Office.
Under Head 11, Post Office, it will be noticed that transfors have been made to the department from the Senfor Clerical and Ac
periment works.
The University.
during the last few months, at $1,539,467, making an excess of allowing for proper comparison Estimates The Departmental for reopening a long closed come- There is no doubt that the popula- $587,383 over the amount provided with previous youre involves a Estimates are fully annotated in tory at Cheung Sha Wan tion of the Colony has been in- by the Loan to be charged to great mass of detail: and the the abstract of differences, but creasing during the year and as Surplus Balances pending the oxample of last year, when the there are a number of matters to of Public Works Extra which attention should be par the vacant houses are occupied an floating of a further loan. Had items impetua Is given to building His Majesty's Government paid ordinary were presented fully in ticularly directed.
Honourable Members will notice three-quarters of the cost of the written form, has been followed EMARKABLE RECOVERY IN operations and land purchase for three quarters was hoped, this with a view to including all the under the Cadet Sarvice voto, be available. This increase in time last year, this excess would details of Departmental Expendi-Head 2, an item of special intarest The tabular statement to myself, Sir Cecil Clementi re- population accounts largely for the not have occurred. We are for turs. increaso of nearly $1,000,000 the moment financing these loan circulated with the draft estimates commended to the Secretary of and Interual works from Surplus Balances, but is complete and is, it is hoped, in a State an increase in the salary of under Licences Revenue not otherwise classified. It will be necessary before long form which is clear and which will the post of Secretary for Chinese to raise the balance of our provide an easy method of ro- Affairs and the Secretary of State Liquor Duties.
authorized lean and then again to forence. The tables should result directed that the Council should In economising the time of the be invited to approve of a fixed There is, however,
one item finance from Surplus Balances which does not show the Increase until it is decided to raise fur-Council, and with permission, Sir, salary of $1,600 por annum for d I propose to omit matters which post of Secretary for Chinese
and to which we might have expected, ther loan funds. It is neces can be easily found in the state Affairs vis. Liquor Duties. Now regula- to take a vote of $444,000 to tions for the control of Chinese finance the diarbour, Developments and confins myself as far
planation. Distilleries were introduced durand Aerodrome Works this year a possible to broader lines of ex-
Finance Committee. to-day) effect in improving the returne in
4. The salaries of a large part from liquor duties, but the Govern-and a further sum estimated at The remarkable recovery in the Colony's revenue was comment cannot but feel that the $145,000 will be required next
a charge against been under review for some time counting Staff. This has been heated upon when the Budget was introduced in the Legislative Treasury still falls to receive the year as an advance to Loan Fands of the Government service have Council yesterday afternoon, a feature of the Appropriation full amount to which it is entitled which will ho
under the law from the excise on our estimated liquid balance of and in accordance with Sir Ceell done because it is considered that recommendations to the work of the Post Omed is so Clementi's
In connexion with Education I Bill being that no new taxation is proposed.
$2,201,860.
the Secretary of State it is anti-highly specialised that the pro-would refer Honourable Members It is hoped to end 1928 with a surplus of over a million Wines and Spirits and it may
cipated that a Revision Commisspect of transfer of officers to and also to the vote on page 100, Head The Water Supply.
sion will shortly sit to consider from other departments is small. 34, Item 26 of Miscellaneous Sor dollars, instead of an expected deficit of over two millions, become necessary to tighten the
It will be noticed that we have the
comprehensively. And they will as far as possiblovices, an increased subsidy to the and although the coming year's working is estimated to result regulations still more in order to
no specific provision for Meanwhile certain temporary pro be expected to look for promotion University. This increase la to na deficit of two and a half millions, it is hoped that the prevent illicit evasion of the duty.
of increasing the water supply of visional additions have been ap in the Post Ofico. would not suffer if the way
cover, a grant to the School of Colony's credit balance at the end of 1929 will be nearly four The honest distiller and dealer made
The postal frankor is an Ox Chinese which it is hoped to es Inillions.
as Honourable Members are aware, and have been entered in the draft pariment with a machine, which tablish, and is intended to be an the transgressor were made a little Hongkong Island. The question, proved by the Secretary of State
is one which has been engaging estimates, All these additions obviates the necessity for adhesive annual grant for the few years Expenditure.
the most earnest consideration of were put to the Finance Committee stamps and can be utilised eles that may be required before the Expenditure for this year we this Government, arid It was only of the Legislative Council bafore where than in the Post Office It-School can be expected to become on the 2nd August last that the recommendations were sent self. It is thought that local financially independent. The in- have now estimated at $21,672,500, made a statement to the Council further, and received their ap-business houses will be glad of the crease is $32,200, and the vote has
under expenditure on .our an
the presont position. The proval. The largest addition of
the point with the Finance Com- original estimate of $510,545, and Sessional Paper on the Aberdeen this kind is the grant of al- opportunity of seeing how the ex-been entered after a discussion of if our estimates prove correct wo
milteo, Harbour Department. shall finish the year with a surplus Water Scheme, promined when the lowances on a sliding scalo to com
Public Works. of revenue over expenditure of Budget was introduced last year, pensato for the fall of the dollar
Head 13, Harbour Department---- $1,001,910, instead of a deficit of was published early this year and below half-a-crown to Govern
further ment servants ordinarily recruited this Head shows a very large re- Was followed by a
Public Works Department, Hond $2,079,655, This surplus, added to
duction of $117,415 an against 29, calls for no additional our balance of assets at the begin-Sessional Paper on the Colony'a at home. The total which ning of the year, should give up a water supply generally. Balance of Assets over Liabilities views of the Unofficial Members found on page 100 under Head 1928. This sum is almost entirely the Heads of consent on December Sist next of $4,987.-havo been communicated to the 134,s.h.47 Miscellaneous Services-accounted for by tlie special ex- Emoluments and Other Charges.
Exchange Compensation Al-penditure which
necessary The fullest explanationa are given Is Excellency the Officer Ad-ture of $2,079,655, and to meet 671 without the repayment of the Secretary of State and is reply is lowances, $350,000. Further it this year. The new launch to re- in the notes.
Recurrent Public Works, Head' stering the Government said: this estimated deficit we had sur money due from the Loan Account awaited. The urgency of some has been deemed necessary to place the Victoria and two other additional water supply on this meet recruiting difficulties which new launches for the department Jonourable Members of the plus aasets on January 1st, 1928, or, with that sum added, $6,961, (alde, of the Harbour has already were being encountered by rails appear in the special expenditure 30, shows an increase of $78,900. [of $3,985,761 of which $2,025,000 | 029, of which just over $5,000,000been brought home to us by the ling the scale of salaries for the of this year and the expense does During the last few years economy has been enforced to the lowest efore the Colonial Secretary were liquid without counting the may be regarded as liquid.
point consistent with efflelency. to move the first reading of repayment from loan funds.
From this total, however, must carly introduction of restrictions earlier years of service: the dif not, of course, recur.
on the supply to certain parts of ferences on this account will bo
Supreme Court,
We are now, it is hoped, in a posi- Supply Bill for 1919 I desire
Unless some unforeseen catas-be deducted a sum of $444,000 the town owing to the txsufficiency found under the separate heads..
tion to return to the high standard. nce before you a brief resume trophe should occur to disturb which is being advanced this year of the rainfall and the increased The initial salaries of Cadets Supreme Court, Head 16. Pro- normally maintained by our Public the financini situation of the the even tenor of our way between from surplus balances to meet an consumption, and we do not wish have been raised from £350 to vision has been made for the reWerks Department and to make iny which may help to explain how and the end of the year there expenditure on Loan Works be-to minimize the seriousness of the £375, of Police Probationers from storation of the second post of good matters which it was pos- basis on which the estimates is every prospect that we shall yond that provided in the Loan situation should there not be a £325 £360 and of Schoolmasters Deputy Registrar, Supreme Court, sible to leave over for the time.
penditure have been framed. complete the year 1928 with Ordinance to which I shall refer Then I introduced the Budget surplus on our estimates of just later, leaving an estimated liquid generous rainfall before the dry from £400 to £425, with increments season finally sets in. Whatever so arranged that the salaries fit 1928 1 set before the Counch over $1,000,000 instand of a defelt balance of $4,722,910 available scheme may be decided upon will again to the existing scale in the stimate of our position at the of just over $2,000,000,
be pushed on with the utmost later stages. of 1927 and at the end of
This Year Reviewed,
vigour. The cost it is proposed to For Next Year. Now Budget-making has i
charge ultimately to a now loan, yet been reduced to an exact The year opened with a good In framing our Estimates of but it will be possible in the hee and events have n trick of
clouds on the political Revenue for 1929 we have given meantime to finance the expendi fying the most hates. It is therofure natural horizon owing to the December dua consideration to the sudden turo from the unallocated surplus much criticism was aimed at the from time to time decide, Budget-makers to err on the upheavals in Canton, but a new expansion this year and have balancea which we are holding apparent neglect of the claims of | of caution, for should eventa era of improved relations with placed our revenue for next year in reserve.
Kwangtung began with, the interwithout any change in taxation at" I commend, gentlemen, to your vants and a Petition by the Junior Head 28. The Police Estimates te their prophecies to have change of visits between Marshal | $22,278,000, the details of which earnest consideration the estimates Clerical Staff appeared in the show a decrease as compared with ernment was as usual faced with
on the side of optimism the Clini-sum and His Excellency are given in the printed estimates. of expenditure which are about to local papers. The reply to that 1928 of $44,766. The fullest pos; It may well be disastrous Sir Cecil Clementi in the early This amount is $395,810 less than be laid before you and I know that Petition was also published and insible notes have been apponded
financial stability of the
part of this year, and this Colony our revised estimate for the can rely on you now, as always, this connexion I would add that to this Head so that Honourable while
and the neighbouring provinces of current year, but in those un for the co-operation in all reference to Appendix 2 page 104 Members may be fully informed of Chini owe mult to Sir Cecil's certain times we have not felt mensures for the welfare of this will show that the new organisa- all details Expense is not spared found possible after dealing with untiring labour for the reopening justified in assuming that the Colony without which good Govern- tion of the Junior Clerical service to keep the Force efficient, as it departmental needs to allocate is estimated to cost $726,021 in must be, but it is always a matter approximately. 34 millions to this of friendly intercourse between sudden increase of this year will ment is impossible. Hongkong and its great neighbour, be more than maintained, while,
1929 as against $621,867 in 1928, for congratulation when a reduc- Head and the selection made from the city of Canton,
when the immediate demand for
on tion in the expenditure can be the very large list submitted by We thus get an expenditure
TRADE SAID TO BE IMPROVING.
18lative Council:
ny,
trick of many
the errors of
tion, if not pushed to exeess,
kely at the worst to lead
delay in the execution of
ks which, however destrahle,
hot be classed as essential.
Prediction Falsified,
for 1929.
The
11 cannot be expected that trade land has been satisfied, it is COLONIAL SECRETARY. should recover in a boid the possible there may even be a slight eaving out of account for the position from which it had reced- falling off under the head of land Sent the sum of $1,963,368 ch is due for repayment to gard. China has been too long rent sale, from Loan Faudis, we antici-with civil strife to be able at
festimate, exceeded it by $337,-
Deficit Does Not Mean New Taxation.
The Colonial Secretary Said: In rising to carry out Your Ex-
has
it is
estimated is involved is to bo
4
Junior Clerical Staff. 5. When the publication of these concessions was recently made,
the rest of the Government sor-
WHA
and it is intended to fill the post. by attaching to the Registry ono of the officers appointed under the title of Assistant Crown Solicitor. These officers are appointed on the understanding that they are liable for service in any of the legal de partments as the Government may
The Police.
Extraordinary Works. Head 81, Public Works Ex- traordinary. No notes appear un- der this head but the detalle ure' the exhaustively dealt with in the special memorandum over signature of the Director of Public Works which has been already circulated. In attack- ng this difficult problem the Gov-
a very wide choice. The whole of
the Extraordinary works suggested
by all departments would have gone quite near to eating up the total revenue for the year. It was
this service Increased by $104,154 secured without the necessity of the departments constitutes the of which $250,050 is due to neces- having to refuse any of the requisi- estimate for the coming year on fanry increase in numbers, $19,505 tons of the Captain Superinten-pages 81 and following under Head
to slipulated increments and dent. $42,250 to the creation of moro higher grade posts so as to allow
of more rapid promotion,
Medical. Department.
a very.
31. This larger, total which it is We thus anticipate that to meet
hoped to provide next year is a promising sign as compared with d an actual surplus of assets present to trade with its former next year's expenditure, exclusive It can neither produce of Lean Works, we shall havo
Head 26, Medical Department. the totals for 1927 and 1928. The freedom.
I would observe that the $42,250 Much consideration has been expenditure for 1927 was under the working of the year 1927
nor absorb the volume of its penco available a revenue of $22,278,600
to 1 scheme $3,000,000 and it is estimated that 2,184.033 of which some $506, time trade. But at any rate in and a liquid Surplus Balance of celleney's instructions to introduce for higher grade posts is in addi- given recently
of the Supply Bill for 1929, by the tion to $17,000 applied to this which will bring the Medical in 1928 it will reach $2,271,000 would he liquid. he netual result for 1927 falsi. Kangtung and Kwangsal under $4,722,910, making a total
purpose during 1928, over and more closely Into Louch with only. These totals aro their present rulers, signs of re- $27,001,610. The Colonial Secretatement Your Excellency
No great reduction on those expended our predictions in that the turning prosperity are by no means tary will shortly lay before you just made I find my task lightened above the establishment shewn in the Sanitary Department.
reduction of the duties or the on Public Works Extraordinary mine, instead of being below al. . Piracy and banditry are the Estimates of Expenditure for Lo the point of dealing caly with the estimates for that year.
Expenditure. Further the CX- A scheme has been drawn up to responsibility of the Sanitary Do- In the days before the depression while our expenditure fell belag suppressed, roads and other 1929, which amount to a sum ofenditure I have to consider doos provide for further proportionate partment or the Sanitary Board is of trade, and it may be a long time while our extre 469 means of communication are being $24,799,650 and exceed by $2,616,- not cover matters connected with increases in the higher ranks for contemplated, the object in view before we shall reach enable the and instead of finishing the uned up, communism is being 605 the original estimates of the Public Works Loun, which is some years ahead. In this
partments more closely and to Colony to return to that high 1927 with an over expenditure kept in check, and a general feel-expenditure for the current year.la matier apart, and concerne the nexion I would also refer to the eng to co-ordinate these two de- so properous as to enable the $1,307,305 as originally estiming of security is being fostered. This estimate shows a deficit as revenus of the Colony only to the
allowances give the Sanitary Board the ad- standard of expenditure. It is We welcome these signs and against the revenue of $2,621,050, extent of its service and of the equivalent to an increase of salary vantage of the experience of the felt however that matters the sufficiently improyed to justify the time last year, we actually venture to offer our congratula- but will still leave us an estimated possibility of financing the works of from 10% to 15% were granted Medical Department.
Lions and good wishes to the balance of assets over liabilities concerned from the surplus in 1924 to members of this staff The alterations In the titles in beginning of an attempt to make Ja surplus of $490,471 to add to overnments of these provinces in of $3,985,979, and a liquid balance balances of the Colony, pending and that the whole scheme of the Medical Department are up leeway and assistance for the
aurplus balances, and we were!
such time as it may be found de- salaries is open to revision by first step in the direction indicated. revenue from available surplus to start the year 1928 with the great endeavour, they are mak- of $2,201,850.
sirable to offer a further sum for the Rovision Commission.
"The Principal Civil Medical balanees has been invoked. tus assets of $3,986,761, ofing to restore prosperity to the
public subscription.
Officer" becomes "The Director of
Unavoidable Commitments, BOMO $2,025,000
Lady Stenographers.
Medical and Sanitary Bervices"
th
or of $1,302,257 as estimated |
wore
areas over which they rule.
id, stend of $2,184,033, of A Long Way To Go.
th $500,000 would be liquid,
19.
of on o
Public Works Loan.
As Honourable Members are aware, we passed the Public Works
י
that lodging
con-
д
6. The Senior Clerical and and will be responsible for the
No Increase of Taxes.
In making a selection of the But we have a long way to go Loan Ordinance authorizing a 2. The estimated revenue for Accounting Staff also is connected technical side of the work of the works to be done the Government o antielpated when we framed
first place to Budget for 1926. To these before the volume of the Colony's Loan of $5,000,000 towards the end 1929 reaches a total of $22,278,000 with all departments of the Go-Medient Officers of Health and for necessarily gave tes remain to be added the sum trade will reach the figure of mora of last year and raised with almost and in addition to that there willvernment service. An important the advice that they will give to works already in progress. They an estimated net alteration, which should make for the Sanitary Board. It is hoped become unavoidable commitments 1,063,368, repayable from loan prosperous times; at present embarrassing case the sum of be available
am advised that trade, is improy- $3,000.000 out of the total authoriz-liquid surplus balance of $4,722,- elasticity and efficiency, has been too that this arrangement will and they are clearly indicated in all a total of made in this section by grouping make it possible to follow the the tabular statement appearing ing but that the Improvement ised. Detailed statements of the 1910 making in Under Expenditure. very slow and is hampered by a Loan Expenditure appear in the $27,001,510. Of the total of the under it all Lady Stenographers, principles on which the Colonial in the Estimates.
The Office has recently laid so much
In this category is to be included considering this favourable lack of confidence in the future Appendices to the Printed Estim-surplus balances plus the annual arranged in two classes.
revenue given above, the Govern-higher will be composed of Cou-stress, and to pay more attention the money recommended for the ex- alt it must not be overlooked on the part of the Chinese mer- atca;
When the Loan was under dis-ment has aimed to leave appro-fidential Assistants and Steno- to methods of prevention, for tension of the Peak Wireless it our original estimate of chant, leading to excessive caution enue was only exceeded by in his business transactions. He cussion it was anticipated that the ximately $2,000,000 intact: prographers on a salary of £300 £400 which the best technical advice Station The Council during the 7,139 and the principal causes inclined still to adept a hand-sum of $6,000,000 would more vision has also to be made for a year, and it is hoped thus to at available is necessary, and under course of the current year has al- to-mouth policy to which he is than cover the cost of the then Military Contribution $8,978,888 tract to the higher class candidatos this scheme will be made available.rendy voted large sums for the our surplus was the
No Malariologist,
development of radio, recognising encouraged by his uncertainty as approved portion of the Shing and for the service of the Public with English training and quali-
the essential nature of the develop- prether satisfactory fer-expenditure to the extent of to the taxation which will be Mun Valley Water Scheme and the Debt $1,382,208, the details of fications who are well suited to fill
During the year the. Governmentment and the importance of keep- which will be found on pages 101 the confidential posts for which Aerodrome and Harbour develop-
It is desired to recruit them. rly three-quarters of a million imposed by his Government.
Bearing these facts in mind ment schemes. Our estimates, and 105 of the draft estimates.
Subtracting from the total fara on Public Works Extra-
It is probable that recent events has made continued efforts to re-ing in step with the times. It was. cruit a malariologist but so far explained, at the time that the this connexion, we cannot congratulate ourselves however, have been found incor-uvallable these sums, we are left in the Colony which have led to a Hinary, In
the position in which the rect owing to the inability of His reover, we must remember that on
penditure of the. $19,478,964 methods may result in a recom- the post may be filled in the near this year was asked for, that these Public Works Department Government Treasury finds itself Majesty's Government to contri- with a total which covers the ex- careful review of all our financial without success. It is hoped that money which could be expended further mums would be consequent buto more than £100,000 towards estimated as required to meet the mendation for considerable Jended $1,587,201, from loan to-day.
The Nursing Staff has been con- ly nccessary in 1920, the cost of the Aerodrome. From needs of the Colony for 1929. pansion of the Sonior Clerical and da in 1927 which but for the
the figures published in ation of our
Considerable Generosity. the This sum, with the Military Con- Accounting Staff to secure closer siderably increased. It was found un must have been met, as in The revenue has shown a re- Appendices It will be seen that tribution and the Service of the control in accounting and finance. that the Nursing Sisters were not re prosperous times, from maritable recovery. Without any as regards the Shing Mun Scheme Public Works Lean, exceeds the The enquiries necessitated, how infrequently without the amount Venue and Surplus Balances, alteration in our fiscal system the sum of $3,500,000 will more estimated Revenus for the year over, are not yet complete and it of felsure always conceded to ile the Department can also beyond the two almost trivial than cover the expenditure ex- 1920 by $2,621,050, but it is con- has not been possible to enter any others in less exacting professiona; int to many activities on behalf items of school fees and ship clusive of the cost of supplying sidered justifiable to provide this sum in the 1929 estimates to meet It is now possible to secure for the the Military Authorities In survey fees to which reference the water to the Hongkong side amount out of surplus balances this contingency: When the re- Sisters four days clear off duty in anexion with the arrival of the was made last year, our estimate of the Harbour, but that a fur-and without resort to increased commendations are cloar cat the every month.
force which were inevitably of $20,103,390 seems likely to bother sum of 3076,124 will be re-taxation provided that the reserve matter will be put before the lected in some diminution of its excorded by $2,571,020, and we quired if the cross harbour pipe of $2,000,000 can still be maintain
spohding power..
now estimate our revenue for this and Garden Service Reservoir are ed, It should be noted that the rate of exchange has been estimat year at $22,674,410. There are carried out.
ed at $1-1-11d. as for last year. The 1928 Exilmates.
Increases ander almost all heads,
The Expenditure,
Public Works
.
الى
Revenue,
Our estimates for 1928 were the most noticeable being the
rovenue
over $1,000,000 in of increase of
The Aerodrome.
The cost to the Colony of Har- med to show.
estimated 3. A complete explanation of | 1,109,840, an expenditure of land sales due to the resumption bour Development is
188,045 and an over-expendi-of land purchase in the Colony at $547,916 and of the Aerodrome the Estimates of Expenditure
EX-
future.
י. .
The second principle adopted in guiding Government's choice was to select a number of small works, requirements of the Sanitary. such as bath houses and latrines, Department, which are ensily. Sanitary Department.” overlooked in times of pressure Head 26, Sanitary Department, but are in fact matters of first im shows a large increase of which portance. It will be noticed that the major part is accounted for by the Sanitary Board and its require. the special expenditure necessary monts have been treated with con- Details of Expenditure,
for the better disposal of refuse. siderable generosity in this re-
spect. We pass now to the details under The item for exhumation under
(Continued on Page 10.) the this Head is due to the necessity separate Heads of
Finance Committee of the Counell for their consideration, with a request for supplementary supply as may be necessary,
the