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that as
condition of
colony in respect of that was only £143,000, leaving the British taxpayer, that much burdened and long suffering individual, to find the other £470,000. As things exists I do not think we can
long properly ask to shift more of the burden on to his shoulders to lighten our own. I do not think there is any other question the hon, member has referred to that I have not touched upon.
hon. member who represents the Chamber | £614,000, and the contribution of the of Commerce echoed my own fears when he referred to the large increase in per- sonal emoluments. The increase is very large, and I think that if we had not framed these estimates before war broke out we should have framed them in a more economical manner as regards fixed establishments as far as we could. For instance, it is quite possible we should not have taken over the Ellis Kadoorie School, which is going to cost us over $33,000 less certain economies in the Education
Department over and above the expendi- ture of last year. The other items, though big, are hardly avoidable. In the Sani- tary Department there is a considerable increase which is partly covered by prospective economies in managing the scavenging ourselves. In the Public Works Department there is also a con- siderable increase which, as the Director of Public Works explained, is due to the addition of three land surveyors, and the Post Office shows a very large increase, principally due to the radio-telegraphic staff amounting to $16,000. I can assure the hon. member that these estimates of expenditure are very carefully scrutinised, and any criticisms which hon, members make annually on that subject are most welcome. The Colonial Secre
resolution I have to stand by my right HON. MR. HEWETT--As I moved a
to reply.
His EXCELLENCY-I beg pardon. I understand
want you adjournment.
to
move
an
HON. MR. HEWETT-I want to refer to your Excellency's speech in the first place. I consulted the Colonial Secretary and he informed me that I would have to move an adjournment in order to enable me to have the right to reply. I also have another amendment to move for the reduction in a certain vote, and I gave notice of this in my opening remarks.
HIS EXCELLENCY-I will just ex- tary and I both have a difficult plain the procedure. Of course, as you task in keeping down expenditure, and if | know, no member can speak twice unless we know we have the unofficial members at he proposes a resolution. If you move an our back in inculcating economy, our adjournment you can only make remarks hands are much strengthened. The hon. concerning the motion. You cannot move member who represents the Chamber of
an adjournment and make a speech on the Commerce also paid us a welcome compli-estimates. You can move an adjournment, ment on our policy of not borrowing which will have to be seconded and put to money. Year in and year out we have the House, and if the motion is carried been advised to build our public works out of borrowed capital, but I think the
you can reopen the debate. remarks made concerning the opium re- venue shows how wise is the policy to pay as much as we can out of revenue. He next adverted with a very light touch to the Military Contribution. Well, I hope that he and his colleagues will never refer to the subiect again as long as I am Governor, because I never like acting in opposition to the wishes of the unofficial members, but this is a subject on which I am absolutely obstinate, and I think I If you may well be.
will recollect, some time ago I laid on the table a desnatch from the Secretary of State with regard to the cost of the garrison in Hongkong, and from that interesting document it appeared that the total cost of the garrison for the year 1912-13 was
HON. MR. HEWETT-I rise to a point of order. I have on a previous occasion attempted to reply to the speeches made by the official members and the Governor in reply to a speech I was asked to make on financial matters by my unofficial colleagues. At one time I was ruled out of order because I did not move a resolu- tion. On other occasions, at least one, I did move
a resolution, and I was allowed to speak. My unofficial colleagues and I discussed this question the other day, and we were in some little doubt as to how a reply should be made. I came un personally to see the Colonial Secre tary, who saw you, and he gave me to understand that if I moved an adjourn-
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ment it gave me the right to reply to the remarks of the official members. I con- sider, Sir, it is wrong that I should not be allowed to reply, for it is not as though I am doing this off my own bat.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The motion has got to be seconded and carried, and if it is carried you can reopen the debate.
HON. MR. HEWETT-1 submit it is very hard on unofficial members who come here once a year to discuss the Bud- get to be absolutely debarred from making a reply in any circumstances whatsoever to the Governor's speech. I submit, Sir, that that is wrong, and if I am not allow- ed to do anything else I would ask for a It suspension of the Standing Orders. is always permitted at Home in the House of Commons, and has been permitted here in the past. I think it is very wrong. Why should we be muzzled ? I am not going to say anything to upset the Government or cast it in gloom or any- thing of that sort.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Will you allow me to speak, please?
HON. MR. HEWETT-Certainly, Sir. I beg pardon.
His EXCELLENCY—) am a firm believer
It in following rules.
is no good having rules if you do not obey them. Rule 26 of the Standing Or- ders says that no member may speak twice. If you wanted to make a personal explanation of any statement you made in your speech you would be in order. understand you wish to reply to remarks made by myself and other official mem- bers. To regularise the matter you must move the adjournment of the House, it must be seconded, and if it is carried then you can reopen the debate. I have no wish to stop you speaking. The official members can vote any way they like, and if the House carries the motion I will be very glad to go on with the debate. Of course you can speak again, so can I, or the Colonial Secretary.
HON. MR. HEWETT—I again rise to a point of order. This is the only one time in the year the unofficial members have an opportunity of criticising the financial policy of the Government, and the man elected to speak for the unofficial members should have the right of reply. I have had it in the past, and to make
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quite sure that I should have the right to-day I called officially on the Colonial Secretary and understood from him that I should have that right.
two
HIS EXCELLENCY-Will you be good enough to move the adjournment!
HON. MR. HEWETT-I have amendments to move, the adjournment of the debate on the budget and the reduction of the Harbour Department vote.
His EXCELLENCY-Why don't you move the adjournment!
HON. MR. HEWETT-There are only four unofficial members here, and I don't know what this vote will be. The point I wish to make is that under certain con- ditions I should have the right to reply.
HIS EXCELLENCY-I am very sorry.
Standing Orders These
were made and drawn up by my predecessor and passed by this honourable Council, and the Council said by their own orders that members should only speak once, and you I looked up want to break that rule. the debates this morning, and saw that in 1910 you were ruled out of order, and last year you were also ruled out of order. I am quite willing to hear you.
HON. MR. HEWETT-We are swamped by the official vote. We ought to have the same right to reply as they have in the House of Commons, which is the mother of parliaments, and all debates are based on her procedure.
our
HIS EXCELLENCY-Will you kindly move the adjournment of the debate and we'll carry the motion for you. Then you will have a right to speak.
HON. MR. HEWETT-I beg to move the adjournment of this debate till this day six months.
HON. MR. WEI YUK-I beg to second.
HIS
EXCELLENCY-This day six months is absurd.
HON. MR. HEWETT -I will say this day fortnight.
HON. MR. POLLOCK-Might I suggest that it would assist if we move the suspen- sion of No. 26 of the Standing Orders.