LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
RENTS COMMISSION INQUIRY CRITICISED
(Continued from Page 1.)
kong since the beginning of Sino- Japanese hostilities last "year."
ROOT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION
The Commission found difficulty in giving "a continuous history" of the rise and fall of rents during the last ten years, On their own admission
"this fact is of great significance and
Rocs to the root of the present situa tion of rents in the Colony." No Explanation is given for this state- ment This is unfortunate. Tenants were unable furnish that "con- tinuous history
and
can be cited of forced sales foreclosures proving what a profit- able yield the existing rentals supply. Here is an illuminating example of an investment of $9,000 by a non- European landlady in a house in the European residential district of Kow- loon from which she collects In rent the sum of $180 per month. She had spent $2,000 in reconditioning the premises. This may appear to be an extreme case; but if enquiry were to
be pursued far enough other similar
cases could be found as strikingly favourable to the landlord.
The fundamental level of ten years ngo
•provides I will now expain, | any
considerable useful data For 1820-29, it will be remembered, Wasson before them and eliclt-
reasona
for the
ed
Whether cases of this type have been brought to the notice of the Commission, and whether the Com. mission, in pursuance of the powera vested in them by the Commissioners' Powers Act of 1886, had subpoenaed
startling revelations, ono a big surplus balance was recorded cannot tell. This is a moot point of for Hongkong. It fell to the Hon. some importance, and is considered (now Sir) Thomas Southorn to re- to be a determining factor for pur- view the financial position of the poses of rental comparison. Without Colony when presenting the Estl- it only an cz parle case has been males for 1920. The Officer Ad-made out. That is one contention. ministering the Government said on the 20th September, 1928: "The re- MILITATING EVIDENCE FACTORS
the
For
For
There are several reasons why the collection of material evidence has It should not been as complete as otherwise be. Its very incomple- teness militates against the value of
the reco accordingly, fall short of ments of ihe fundamental there
are the inherent and timidity of a class of witnesses to appear before the Com- missioners, the restraining influence of the language difficulty experienc- ed by foreign tenants in some cases and literacy in others, and, lastly, fear of retaliation by landlords.
venue
the Colony has shown
a remarkable recovery.... There ja no doubl thint population of the Colony has been increasing during the year, and as the vacant houses are occupied un the report; impetus is given to building opern- tions and land purchase for which considerable funds seem to be avol- Inble." Our
veteran (liten sunlor) unoff!- ciul member, Sir Shou-son Chow, expressed the gratification of his colleague when he spoke [ es- timated revenue for 1928 as likely to be exceeded by the sum of not less than $2,571,000.
That, thought, might be taken as evidence that conditions in the Colony were gradually returning to normal. The bigger demand for building the
senior honourable member said, "could be taken Ba proof of a further increase in the population, as well
healthy sign that confidence in the future of the Colony was being restored"
its a
bc
nc
At the same time ample allowance must be made for the "hasty nature" (the phrase Is of the Com- missioners'
coining)
alleged Inquiry, because of "the
own
of the
Unaltes. urgency, of the position and of the
REVENUE BUOYANT
can
Chairman's pending departure from the Colony."
Impartially
ΠΟ blame
be attached to the Commission. That much is granted. If they had not been placed in the position for Judicial sifting of
In the cases interests of tenants the latter are at
Hongkong's revenue for 1928 ex-fault. ceeded the Estimates by $4,885,009, and of that of the previous year by $3,622,883, which prompted the off- clal author of the preface to the Administration Reports for 1928 to Indulge in a note of optimism when he wrote that "1928 showed a con- tinuation of steady recovery in the financial and commercial position of the Colony."
was
The quotations should carry con- viction that Hongkong had emerged out of the chaos created by the in- tensive anti-Hongkong strike and boycott of 1925 to enter upon one of those cyclical prosperous periods during which there
much speculation in house property. To attain the best results under the concomitant conditions of a boom. rents were forced up in order that the investments improperty might: bear the most favourable relation between capital cost yield.
KOWLOON RESIDENTS'
ASSOCIATION
n
It is learnt from the Report that complaints had been received from
THE HONGKONG
SENATE BACKS DALADIER
Froe Hand For Next Six Weeks
The
Unanimous Support
Paris, Apr. 13. Senate approved M. Daladier's Finance Bill by 288 votes to 1.
The official return of the Sonate division was 290 to 0, and
WAS
A
therefore unanimous. Radical was originally given as the only "No" voter, but later he was included among the "Ayes"
Senate
The Chamber und have NOW gone into Easter recess giving M. Daladier a free hand for the next six weeks. Renter.
CHA
TELEGRAPH,
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988.
.FIRE NEAR JAPANESE MAGAZINE
Shots Allegedly Heard Before S'hai Outbreak
Shanghal, Apr. 14.
A huge, mysterious blaze broke out shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday In an open yard containing horse fodder, which was next to a munitions ware- house on the O.S.K. wharf, the most
important point for the import of
Japanese war supplies in Shanghai.
RADIO BROADCAST
Talk on the Bridge Olympic From the Studio
LONDON RELAYS Radio Programme Broadcast by Z.B.W. on Frequencies of 845 k.c.'s, 0.52 m.ca per second.
5.0-0.03 European Programme. 8.03-11.0. Chinese Programme.
5.0 Relay of the Danoo Orchestra from the Roof Garden of the Hong- kong Hotel.
(a) Serenade to the Stars; (b) Bob White; (c) Moonlight on the Sunset Trail; (d) Snake Charmer.
5.15 Interval of recorded Music from Z.B.W.
The fire, the origin of which is not yet ascertained, spread over a distance of 400 square feet, destroying largo quantities of straw and charcoal, ond it was only got under control after hours of strenuous Aghting by Chinese and Settlement flremen, who prevented it from reaching the ad. | Music from Z.B.W. Joining magazine.
5.45
Foreign sources state that several shots previous to the outbreak were heard, but this remains unconfirmed. During the day the whort was swarming with Chinese prisoners, who were being used for unloading supplics,
Last night the area was blocked off and no foreigners were allowed near It.-Router.
Dance
5.20 (a) For only you; (b) I Can't Give you anything but Love; (c) Confessin'; (d) My Blue Heaven.
6.35 Interval of recorded Dunce
(a) Who are we to say; (b) Now they call it swing: (c). Shadows on the Moon; (d) The, Shag.
duct
with
himself;
Orchestra. Closing local Stock Quotations. 1.30 London Relay-At The Black Dec.
Mr. Wilkes at home in his own bar-parlour. Presented by Pascoe Thornton and S. E. Reynolds.
3.0 Loval Time Signal, Weather Re- port and Announcements
6.0 Studlo The Children's Hour. 7.0 Peter Dawson (Bam-Baritone) And Light Symphony Orchestras.
"Princess
ida"--Selection
(Sulli negira: Watchman, What Of The New Light Symphony Orchestra; upon by the Commission Is that of
Night (Sarjoant)..... Peter Dawson Lie farming of whole blocks .of
singing avoid having to deal
"Cavaleria Rusticana Intermezzo houses. To with individual tenants of flats, not |
("Tales Of to speak of cubicles, owners make it
#51); Barcarolle
"Olenbach) New
Light of "farming." The "farmer"
Symphony Orchestra; Fantasia a point agrees to lease the
Folk Songs
(ATT. Norwegian lain fixed rental; he turn is free inning of this year an average could On
have been struck that would
Norwegian Light not Holand). to let to whomever he pleases and have deprived the landlord of his Symphony at whatever rent that suits him best. Just dues, at the same time
leave
7.28 A hasty perusal of the Commis tenants unmolested by a further in- slon's repori gives no inkling into crease which has threatened, and in the extent of the increase which the many cases been enforced, since then. "farmer" receives from his sub- Extending the benent further in tenants. Strictly speaking, so for as landlords favour any rent (exclusive the landlord is concerned, he appears of the water surcharge) since agreed before the Commission as Impec-upon between the two parties might but the "farmer" who, in fact, he left untouched, The principle of
The owner
becomes the real reciprocal contract thus remains in offender. My practical experience violate. leaves me in no doubt as to the existence of this form of abuse. Quite often the "farmer" will
allege 10 the landlord that a group of intend vacating at the end of the month. Upon this so-called
ho trames to
to the extent of letting the flats to new tenants, or occupation, for the consideration of permitting
to remain in the existing
higher rent. Add to this
the elt "squeeze"
euphoni- assuming such
attitude
In A Major. **** of certain landlords is No. 4 ous designations as "key" "tea," or notorious. Under the existing laws Sir Hamilton Harly conducting The "shoe money," and it
becomes landlords may summarily throw out Halle Orchestra; Spring Song (Song apparent to what lengths the victi-resident tenants for the benefit of without words No. 30). misation of sub-tenants is carried. passing visitors. Tenants arc on Angelus Octel; Song Without Words:
Venetian Gon
Gondola Song No. 2 sherp Minor, Op. 30, No. 6); Lost Happiness (C. Minor, Op. 30, No. 2).
Ignaz Friedman (Piano Solo). 8.50 Studio--Hig Honour Mr.
tenants
попсе
WATER RATE IN RELATION TO RENTS
To what extent the
that
EVICTIONS PROHIBITION The Commission is unfortunately committed to the conclusion "egislation alone without at the same time re- prohibiting evictions Ostricting increases of rent would prove useless." It was a most serious grievance that had given cause for
Commission
much
dissatisfaction-landlords"
8.03 Chinese Programme-Studlo Concert.
11.0 Close Down. Radio Programme Broadcast by ZEK on * Frequency of 049 Kilo- cycles.
8.03 Mendelssohn's Compositions. Fingal's Cave-Overture..... Louls Symphony Orchestra conduct- ed by Rudolph Ganz; Song Without Words; Sadness Of Soul (F_Major, Op. 53, No. 4); Lost Illusion (F
sharp
St.
insistence on eviction. This unbend- No. 2). .... Ignaz 14% No. & Italian,Solo): Symphony
Ing
good ground when they volce cum- plaint against a form of tyranny which is exercised without compune- tion. The plight of familied tenants is truly distressing. Their utter help- pathy. For them all urgent appeal is appeal must fall on deaf ears. mak It looks very much as if this
in A
The
the Kowloon Residents' Association, has probed into one feature of the lessness excites the greatest sym- Justice Lindwell-Talk on the Bridge
and in a summary which a deputation
from that Association presented to the Commission it was supposed that there were slx cases of startling rent increases exceeding 150 per cent. Some satisfactory explanation should be forthcoming as to why the Com- mission did not discover "any such huge increase as was alleged in the summary given by the Committee's depulation." It le inconceivable that such a represer, ative body like the K.R.A. can be capable of gross rent exaggeration.
that have been
Olympic.
rent increases must remain a matter of conjecture. The report offers no elucidation. I refer to the question
9.0 Dance Music.
Remember Fox-Trols Please of water rates.
Several cases
and Watson); On Linger (Denby If prosperity reaching Hongkong in
Longer Island (Kennedy Carr)...... brought to my notice remove all consequence of the recent great Jack Harris and His Orchestra with doubt that as an indirect method of growth of population has to be pur-vocal refrain by Sam Browne; True adding increase upon increase of chased at the expense of so much Confession (From the Film). rent is the Inclusion of water charges. anxiety and distress; and if Hong Carroll Gibbons and the Savoy Hotel When the housing shortage began to
kong is to earn the unenviable re-
Orphans with vocal chorus; Once be felt, an increase of the original putation of being an expensive port In A While (Green and Edwards);
Inclusive of water was made and larger colonial revenue from asseased
for the profit of landlords and a Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen (Secundo- conceded, followed by a salve of the
Harris Cahn-Chaplin).... Jack taxation, then let this Colony and His Orchestra with vocal re- the imposi- Ingeniously de dearly purchased and so unpopularly abandon a form of prosperity $0
frain by Sam Browne. water
9,15 acquired.
Alfabes'.
One salient fact emerges on the landlord's nuthority of the Government Asses-
tion of i
tion
as water rate. The
and Intercsi! sor thai "of the vaenneles on his ilst signed by the landlord was a flat
LOANS ON INSUFFICIENT
MARCIN
in
definitely secured "the monetary Ps practitestable proof in support of any
owners of house property were the
METICULOUS DOMESTIC PROBING INFRA DIG.
who,
"WAITING BRIEF" RECOMMENDATION
members
one
Js
London Relay 'World
A talk by The Rt. Hon. Sir Mal- colm Robertson, O.C.M.G., KIE
9.30 London Relay-The News. 9.59 Concert Waltzes.
Walter Noack)..... Vienna Boheme
10.0 London Relay-Music-Hall. Including Claphum and Dwyer. In
Variety Orchestra, conducted by Charles Shadwell.
11.0 Close Down.
U.S.R.C. ACTIVITIES
tonection with which applications
tables must be made to the Hon. Secretary by Wednesday, April 27.
at present not one was suitable for rate This view places in doubt the the Portuguese clerical class or one applicable to all tenants of the
dirit of the Commission in para. ipse
European subordinates." (Page 15, house. The building usually com- 2 that the majority of properly para. 1.). owners must be regarded as “legiti- There are so many factors influen-prises three or four storeys let to as mate investors." Not all will agree cing rent that statements submitted
many tenants,
The Commission makes. but with their claim.
It is well to remember that the
final recommendation (p. 21, para. 4).
Waltz Nanette (Arr. Schwartz); by landlords must be subjected to water rate la a determinable figure, It is one, however, that conveys little Spring Waltz (Arr. Schwartz). close scrutiny before any valuable and the landlord in placing it at any
comfort and less relief to the suffer- Russian deduction can be made from them, thing higher than that figure is de-might be kept on landlords actions
Novelly Orchestra; Wolga, It disorderly houses Anitely ruloting his tenants in higher after the submission of the report. Orchestra.
recommends that a watch | Wolgal (Russian Woltz Potpourri- The removal of Numerous changes of ownershipation by trades and professions/rent in an indirect manner. He at what good this recommendation can
certain districts and prose out of the speculative spirit capable of paying higher rents, the taxes on the additional rent collected going to lighten tenants' burden, it a spot of bother with The B
the same time evades payment of achieve, and to what extent it which sent prlees up during the ro-
absence of water service and fireproof covery period; these changes accom-
staircases and the provision of these
under a different panied the inevitable reaction that | Staire
name. To that set in and Hongkong began to fall competitive premises have a very suffers for the bereft of the landlord, extent the revenue of the Colony
does not say. It offers no palliative for, much less an eradication of, the material influence in determining the
evil against which so loud a voice dition was aggravated by the failure value of rents, so that it is douftful
If
be equitably invoked, the conclusions of the comparative
has been raised. What is going at some of the native banks which
10 be the Government's exercise created a panic bordering
figures submitted in severni para-
of on qui
Certain landlords' Intuition has authority and watch over Inndlords' acute crisis. Good properly h
graphs can be accepted as incon-
beneft" to themselves out of any not say. Do the
actions, again the Commission does widely scattered areas cally unsaleable. Such might have deductions in the absence of material proposed change of the incidence of that each individual, case expect
of com- The United Services Recreation been the condition of the Colony that evidence in the other direction.
the water charge. I apprehend that plaint shall be brought to the notice Club will hold an auction of periodi furnished, to quote verbatim from
they have forestalled the Financial of the Government? And, if so, cals at 6.30 pm on Saturday. En- Secretary the report, "a wealth of evidence
in his (presumably supplied by landlords
Memorandum on the Water Charge receive complaints and set upon them will close at 6.30 p.m. on
recent where is the constituted authority to tries for the American Tournament Sunday, themselves J.P.B.) to prove that
signal character of the composition of charge would mean shifting the legally created tribunal, to await the party. A lindy, dl 30, in con- With all deference to the profes the tenant, for he writes: 'a transfer mary decision? In the absence of a Wednesday there will be a cocktail Question, laudably seeks to protect when they call for prompt and sum-April 17 and on the following victims of a disastrous slump dur- Ing the years 1930 to 1937. The
of the Commission, 1 make the sub burden from the comparatively well-creation of the necessary practical held on Saturday, Apr 30, ons for mission that the pursuance of the Commissioners were careful to guard questioning to ascertain the number to do to the poor. I regard such a machinery would be to relegate
shift of the burden na most undesir- themselves in the assertion that no of domestics of a
the Greek Kalends satisfaction for doubt there were during the last to find out the tenant's ability to a household in order
able because w ten years cases speculative meet of
poor tenant wintly fear that the aggrieved parties." Jula rent is
be found on balance building in which men of straw
undignifying and
to pay more as result of the pro-
AN APOLOGY The adequacy of the rent in
water charges, while the Hongkong time for what, after all, must be a
I plead limitations of space tion to the accommodation provided inxation system already
are really what
very harried and Imperfect review matter. The argument
Income than the wealthy.
This is Commission makes, that the reduc
The Commission's Just what has been happening
report contain tion in the wages of one servant b,
very much that provides excellent material times.
There will generally dispensing with him might have
recent
prolonged controversy that wy for u the Financial cannot adequately he dealt with in provided the amount which
the agreement with
when he says that "In the tenant needed to meet the increased
a single review within the compass main the adjustment between land- rent, is poor (page 18, para. 18). Its lord and tenant be left to ordinary
of a newspaper letter. fallacy will be made more evident if
It is opposite to the serious con- the analogy is extended to, say, the economic forces," It is greatly to be
desired case of an individual carning a salary of the Mr. S. Caine's re-cussion for reference to be made, in nate be taken sideration of the problem under dis- of $2,000 or so a month. Does it of the
commendation. necessarily follow that he should pay announcing the change of incidence Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, He urges that in conclusion, to the statement by the out a percentage in rent equal to of charge Government should make In the House of Commons on March Sir,-An a regular, tolerant and that paid by his humbler fellow it cicar that landlords are expected 22. Sir Samuel was speaking on the appreciative render, may I deplore citizens? If the
Is to hold, argument
to adjust the
their rents in consequence
ence plight of the Austrian refugees. He your illustration of the Greek Chorus a percentage as high as 50
per cent.
under the heading "How It Began?” and more is not unknown. The case and that in the last resort Govern- said that "while doubtless there was A 'candid admission is obtained ori
modest Chinese
general desire to maintain the cashier in ment
refuse page 10 of the cogency of the fore foreign employ, and another of a
Your illustrator appears to be as instal traditional policy in Britain of offer-ignorant of the habits of the Greeks in separate meters for any landlord who ing an asylum to religious roa- they flourished. going argument when the owners Fillpina laundress, can be cited solely to his own benefit Where sons, had to leave their own country,
shown to have used the change
who, for as he is of the period during which confess that they had "acquired the specile instances by whom I have 119
political, racial and properties as mortgagees and enter been approached. By further analo an adjustment has already been made ed into possession during the "de- pression.
The net return with gous arguing, there was nothing to detrimental to tenants' interests; the there were on the other hand obvious the proposed increases will not cover prevent the Commission probing in- provisions of the now law should be objections to any policy which would nggravate unemployment, housing the interest charges on the amount to a family's daily bill of fare, or the made retroactive.
ed to make a quick boom outside the Commission's functions. posed change in the collection of
At the height of the speculation money was borrowed nt high rates of interest. House property was bought on wholly insufficient margin, A tempting high rate of interest operated as the bait for smaller mar gin. A scrles
gors of mortgagors failures synchronized with inevitable foreclosure that followed in the wake, of the Incautious scramble to get rich quick.
sym-
In the present controversy the new owners successfully enlisted pathy by the representation that current rentals suffer by compar!- son; they do not yield, they say, an economic return on their money.
CANDID ADMISSION
*
taxes
the
and
and its suitability opt which the poor more heavity at proportion of a report of absorbing Interest encrifice here and a little more bene-
of
husband's drinks and "smokes," and the family amusement costs for chiems and other forms of recrea
advanced on mortgage.
It follows therefore, that the over-valuation of properly ten years Lago, does riot furnlih à true basis for
purposes of comparison." The ap- · FARMING "KEY" "TEA” AND plication of such a standard... is SORTERSHOLM MONEY. misleading and conflicte with tenants.
of the question that does. Trust Blomda Atay Loontratterans), not appear to have been touched
be
that
careful
to
FAIRER BASIC: RENT-
who
and other social problems,"
It is just this matter of housing
A fairoc baale. for com- that is, of immediate concern to the parative purposes "would have, bean Colony, and so vital; to its good name. that charged just prior to the largo At no time is it advocated that Hong- increase in- the-poplilation, Laurin, kong should bar, Ita" door, to: thế, ad- July; of-lesti-your”. Between -- that riission of, distressed -- people! nrure and the rent att matha, be rear fanctuars within Cote
YORU
Hongkong's traditionni hospitality has been earned on a policy of broad- some little mindedness based on volence there. Theoretically, the ap- pointment of a Commission of Inquiry appeared a logical course. In prac- tice, enough has been said to establish the barrenness of any satisfactory results,
J. P. BRAGA.
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