417
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, DECEMBER 8th, 1896.
THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION BILL. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I rise to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to appropriate a percentage of seventeen and half per centum of the contribution Colonial revenues.
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large portion of the revenue is derived from productive public works, to carry out which we had to borrow money and that borrowed money has not yet been repaid to the lenders. The amendment was then put to the vote.
FOR.
Hon. Wei A Yuk
Hon. E. R. Belilios
AGAINST.
The Captain Superintendent of Police
The Harbour Master
Hon. T. H. Whitehead
The Director of Public Works
Hon. Ho Kai
As I addressed the defence of the colony, the Council at some length at our last meeting, I propose only to say a few words now in order to remove a curious misapprehension which would appear to have arisen.
It has been suggested, sir, in some quarters that by the remarks which I made at the last meeting of this Council I intended to throw some doubt upon the patriotism of some of the members of the Council. I can only say that I entirely repudiate any such idea; such a notion never entered into my head for a single instant. On the contrary, I expressly appealed to those feelings of patriotism which I felt confident must animate the unofficial members of the Council equally with myself.
I should like in conclusion, sir, to say a few words in order to remove a misapprehension which may possibly exist upon another point. I desire to say, for the information of the members of this Council and the public, that in the remarks which I made at the last meeting of this Council I spoke entirely without any communication whatever either with your Excellency or with any other member of this Council. I only expressed, what I conceive I had a perfect right to express, my own personal views as an individual member of this Council.
I feel very strongly, sir, upon the Imperial aspect of this question, an aspect which I fear is in danger of being somewhat disregarded, and it was for that reason, sir, that I ventured to lay before the Council at the last meeting the convictions I entertained and the reasons for which I entertained those convictions. With these remarks, sir, I beg to move the second reading of this Bill.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-I ask your Excellency to put the resolution to the vote.
The resolution was then put with the following result:
FOR
Hon. Wei A Yuk
The Captain Superintendent of Police
The Harbour Master
The Director of Public Works
The Acting Colonial Treasurer
The Acting Attorney-General
The Colonial Secretary
His Excellency the General
The Bill read the second time.
AGAINST
Hon. E. R. Belilios
Hon. T. H. Whitehead
Hon. Ho Kai
Hon. C. P. Chater
Council went into Committee on the Bill. On clause 3 being read as follows: "The Colonial revenues for the purposes of this Ordinance shall include the gross receipts by the colony from all sources of revenue, but shall not include the proceeds of land sales and premises on leases,"
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD proposed the addition of the words "which in its character is not purely municipal" after the words "sources of revenue."
Hon. Ho KAI seconded.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD remarked-I think it is well that hon. members should know that 17.4 per cent. of our gross revenue, less land sales, is a higher percentage than is paid by any other Crown colony in her Majesty's dominions. Why should this colony be asked to pay such an exorbitant sum?
FOR AGAINST The Acting Colonial Treasurer Hon. T. H. Whitehead The Acting Attorney-General Hon. Ho Kai The Colonial Secretary Hon. C. P. Chater H.E. the GeneralThe amendment was therefore lost and the clause was carried.
Clause 5 read: "The said percentage shall be deemed to be a fixed contribution payable by the colony in full return for the annual cost of the Imperial garrison, including the cost of maintenance of all military works and buildings, but not including any capital expenditure required for military lands and buildings, provided that in no year shall the sum paid by way of percentage exceed the cost of the garrison for that year."
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD suggested the addition of the words "or cost of armament" after the words "military lands and buildings." A vote was taken, the result being the same as in the previous vote.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I think the title is rather tautological and I suggest that the words "a percentage" be struck out and that the words "a sum equivalent to" be substituted.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second. The alteration was agreed to.
Council resumed.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I think the third reading of the Bill may be held over until the next meeting of the Council. We have only had a few days to consider this measure. Our last meeting was on the 3rd and to-day is the 7th. I think the amendments are worthy of further consideration.
His EXCELLENCY-I will send the amendments home to the Secretary of State, but there can be no further discussion on the Bill now.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second the third reading of the Bill. There have been no material alterations made. Amendments have been suggested, but not carried.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD pointed out that the standing rules stated that the third reading could not be taken on the same day as the second reading if any member objected.
His EXCELLENCY-I understand the hon. member does object to the third reading.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I do object.
His EXCELLENCY-I do not think we can object to that.
The third reading was held over.
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