Extract from the "Hongkong Daily Press" of 25th. October, 1912.
Legislative Council Meeting of 24th. October, 1912. 57
THE ESTIMATES. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the econd reading of a Bill entitled, "Ao Ordinance to apply, a sum not exceeding aven million one hundred and sixteen housand four hundred and fifty-four lollars to the Public Service of the year $13."
of their sentences. Of course, Sir, we recognise as it is only fair and just to this Government to do-that there are a number of criminals from the Kwangtung Province now taking refuge from the drastic methods which prevail there, such. as shooting thieves when caught in flug- rante delicto, but, Sir, the state of affairs in this Colony being what it is, and there being no prospect discernible at present: of any likelihood of any improvement in it for some time to come, we feel that we must face the position squarely, and that we ought to render our methods of punishment more deterrent in their character. Accordingly, Sir, unofficial! members, after carefully considering this matter, have come to the conclusion thatj increased powers should be given to the Magistrates to inflict corporal punish- ment in lieu of imprisonment, and large- ly availed of. In connection with this question of the overcrowding of the Gaol. and to bring the matter, so to speak, up to date, perhaps I may be permitted to adul that a visiting Justice who went round the Gaol yesterday informed me that, in- cluding 44 persons who were there under detention with a view to banishment, there were no less than 804 persons in confine- ment in the Gaol yesterday. I now pass on to the question of the military con tribution. Upon this point the unofficial members must strike à dissentient note.
million dollars a year.
patrols by water, we are entirely in ac- cord with the steps which the Government proposes to take for that purpose. Thefts in this harbour are very numerous, and shipowners special watchinen for the protection of arc compelled to employ
cargo. With regard to the police force, we feel it, our daty to refer to certain sinister rumours which have got abroad The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded. with reference to alleged corruption in Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Sir, I have been the police force. Your record, Sir, as sked by the unofficial members of this
Head of the force was such a splendid one. uncil to be their spokesman in regard
you assailed bribery and corruption with the estimates for the year 1913, and
a bold unflinching front, probing to the herefore in what I am about to say I
very root of the evil, that we venture to m veicing the sentiments of my unofficial appeal to you, Sir, to make n most olleagues as well as my own sentiments. searching inquiry into, this matter. The Ir, we are compelled to make certain
purity and conduct of the police force, presentations which will lead to in important at all times, is doubly impor reased expenditure, for whilst we fully
tant now when we have a large criminal balise the force of your Excellency's re-
population from the neighbouring ark that strict economy is necessary,
Kwangtung province taking shefter in e do not consider that it would be sound our midst. Before leaving the question mony to stint ourselves in regard to
of the police force, I would state that we atters which are essential to the good regret that it has not been found prae- rder, welfare and progress of this ticable to carry out a scheme which has
long. In regard to the question of the
been mooted to the Government from time | Sntribution made by the Home Govern-
to time, namely, that private watchmen, ent in the matter of opium, we regret of whom such large numbers are employ hat we cannot agree with your Excel-ed in this Colony, should be affiliated to acy that we have been liberally treated the police force and put under regular this matter. On the contrary, Sir, we discipline and control. People in this ave received in the past sums of money Colony find it difficult to get watchmen hich were altogether insufficient to com
of a satisfactory class, and we feel con- Insate as for the loss sustained by this fident that if they could be organised in olony, and it is most unsatisfactory some way similar to the district watch-As your Excellency is aware, so long ago at further payments should stop now
men that it would be a very great boon as the 1st of June last year there was a I this time when we are faced with heavy to this Colony. I now pass on. Bir, to motion made by au unofficial member in ipenditure. I will now proceed. Sir, to
the prison vote. There can be no doubt this Council to reduce the military non- ment upon various headings in the
that the recent escape of a prisoner fromtribution to a fixed annual sum of nel timates, and I think it will be con
gaol has created a very bad impression in nient if I do so in the order which was the public mind with reference to the off- dopted by your Excellency at the last ciency of the steps which are taken in the
eting of this Council. With regard to
Gaol to prevent prisoners from communi- e question of Police, we fully realise cating with others inside the Gaol. It at the regrettable and in some respects also suggests doubts as to the adequacy amiliating attack upon Cheung Chau
in numbers of the Gaol staff, and as to lice station has rendered it necessary
the organisation of that staff. Further, a considerable increase to be made in
it has shown that the materials used in police force stationed in the new Ter. the construction of parts of the Gaol ries, and we join with you. Sir, in
leave very much to be desired. It has armly thanking the military authorities
demonstrated consequently the necessity r the assistance rendered by the mili- for a system of guards to be placed in the ry patrols, who have done excellent court-yards of the prison to prevent the prk under trying conditions. With re- escape of prisoners. I now pass on to ard to the increase of twenty European
consider, in connection with the prison instables to the police force for the vote, a subject which has been ventilated olicing of what is obviously the most
a great deal in the Press lately, namely, portant of this Colony, from the point the question of the sufficiency of the
view of commerce and population,
salaries of the prison staff. Whether mely, the city of Victoria and Old Kow-
these suggestions are well founded or not on, We regret to say that we regard that
we cannot say, but we venture to urge crease as being wholly inadequate. 1 upon your Excellency the appointment ink, Sir, that it is a matter of common
of a Coumission for the purpose of owledge that Chinese are reluctant to
taking into account the following matters ve in outlying districts in this Colony,
in connection with the present staff, ore especially at Yaumati, and we
namely, whether they are sufficient in ould therefore urge upon the Govern-
numbers. Secondly, the question of at the necessity for a further consider-
training organisation, and, thirdly, the le increase in the police force of this question of the sufficiency of the salaries blony for the protection of residents and paid to them. With regard to the last eir property in the city of Victoria suggested item of inquiry, unofficial mem-something out of the reserve. I will now id Old Kowloon. Sir, we consider that,
bers fully realise. from your, Excellency's ely looking at this matter from what speech made at the last meeting of the e may call an insurance point of view, Council, that in the present state of our would he sound policy to pay a bigger finances and with the present heavy de lice insurance premium for the protec
mands upon the resources of the Colony, on of property from theft than the sum that any increase in our burdens must be hich is put down in next year's esti- carefully scrutinised. But, Sir, we want tes, roughly seven laths of dollars. In at least to be satisfied that justice is pport of this contention I would refer being done to a body of men into have e Council to paragraph 10 of the Re- unpleasant work to perform and long ort of the Captain Superintendent of hours on duty. With regard to the ques-
lice for last year, from which it will tion of prison accommodation, seen that the net loss of property by answers which were given in this Conacil reft after deducting the value of stolen on the 22nd August last to my honourable roperty recovered, amounted last year colleague opposite (Hon. Mr. Osborne) about $200.000, and in the previous revealed a state of affairs which can only amely, $250,000,
mounted to an even larger sum, be described as deplorable. It appeared ink we are justified in saying that, pure
Therefore, Sir, we from the answers given to my honourable as a matter of insurance against loss fined in prison, whilst there were cells for property, there should be a ligger es 826 only, and that in some cases there enditure upon police for the protection were no less than three men in cells de perty in this Colony. As regards signed for one, and that as a consequence oposed strengthening of the police of that state of affairs over 400 prisoners had been released before the expiration
the
friend that there were 936 persons con-
HIS EXCELLENCY-The honourable mem- "ber is not in order. I do not wish to stop him if he wishes to make a few remarks, but the military contribution is fixed by. special Ordinance, and no resolution of this Council and no remarks the hon. ! member can make can have the slightest effect. They are simply irrelevant at the present time, and the only way if he wishes to bring the question of the military contribution before the Council will be to give notice of a resolu- tion to amend the Ördinance as it stands on the Statute Book. Any remarks be may at present make are absolutely beside the point.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-I was only going to say a few words on the subject, aud. with your Excellency's permission I will.
was about to point out that the present | contribution is based upon the entirely false assumption that the more revenue it is required to raise for the needs of this Colony the better able we are to bear the increased military contribution. In 1913 the contribution had increased by $96,300, will contend that we are better off than although I think no reasonable person
we were last year. In fact, we are obvi- ously worse off, as we have had to draw
Works Department. We were very sorry to see that as regards the Tytam Tuk reservoir the sum of $250,000 only has been laid down in the estimates for 1913 towards the continued progress of this. work, but we understand that the honor- able member on my right (Hon. Director of Public Works) has assured those of us who are on the Public Works Commit- toe that, owing to the comparatively cheap nature of the work to be done in the im mediate future, it would be very difficul
I to spend more than that amount. should like to take this opportunity of asking the Director of Public Works whe ther the contract for the whole of the work on this reservoir has now been let, and, if so, to whom, and at what figure. I should also like to ask him about what date we may expect to be getting some benefit from the beginning of the storage:
water in this new reserra
pass on to the question of the Public
of