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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
they should be circulated to hon, mem- bers of this Council so that hon. members may be able to consider at the same time both the Bill and the Regulations made under it,
Rating (Special War Rate) Amend-
to build like their friends have been held up for that period one year nearer the time for sending their children Home. It this Bill is held up for Sir Edward Stubbs consideration it will pobably be It will held up for six months more. ultimately pass, I have no doubt, because I have opportunities of knowing the feelings of this little community and they
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the Are all in favour of being left undisturb
second reading of the Bill intituled an ed to develop the island in the same way as they have done in the past. I there-Ordinance to amend the Rating (Special In doing fore oppose the amendment and support War Rale) Ordinance, 1917. the original resolution.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL - I quite agree with the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace. It is an entire- ly economic question and not a racial question at all. On that ground the Bill should be defended and on that ground it is necessary to pass a measure of this description.
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT asked the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak if he wished to fix any time for the Bill to be held in abeyance and the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak replied until the arrival of the new Governor.
All members of Council were informed that they might vote exactly as they wished and upon a division all were against the amendment with the excep- tion of the two Chinese members.
The motion for the second reading was then put and carried and the Bill was rend a second time.
Council went into Committee to con- sider the Bill clause by clause.
The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and, upon Council resuming, the Attorney-General moved the third reading of the Bil!
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed, Mr. Lau Chu Pak and Mr. Ho Fook voting against it.
Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL -I do not propose to proceed with this Bill to-day, because all of the Regulations made under this Bill are not yet ready and I an anxious that when they are ready
ment Ordinance, 1919
so he said The objects and reasons of this Bill are fully stated in the draft memorandum attached to this Bill and I have nothing to add to them.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
The Bill passed through Committee without amendment and upon Council resuming the Attorney-General moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. Council then adjourned until the fol- towing week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the Colonial Secretary presid- ing.
Appropriation Bill
THE CHAIRMAN-The first thing to con- sider is the Supplementary Appropria- tion Bill. I presume that hon, members understand the purport of the Bill which is to vote the deficiencies which occurred last year and to pass expenditure which has been approved already but which, not having been included in the estimates, it is necessary to provide for in the Bill. The amount does money being voted. As will be seen there are a great number of small amounte the which are necessary to round off accounts for 1918,
not
represent new
HON. MR. ALABASTER asked whether this was not the largest Supplementary Appropriation Bill the Council bad ever been asked to pass.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Police and Prison Departments
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THE CHAIRMAN -The rise in the price of materials and the increased number of photographs taken account for this
vote.
The vote was agreed to.
Rice Allowance
THE CHAIRMAN -1 suppose it must be the largest, mainly of course, because of
The Officer Administering the Govern- the extraordinary votes made during the year. For example, the grants made for ment recommended the uncil to vote a sum of three hundred and twenty-five war purposes such as the Special War Rate contribution to the Imperial Govern dollars ($325) in aid of Police and Prison ment, $1,052,760 and the other special Departments, -Prison, Other Charges: contribution to the Imperial Government Photography. $230, Executioner's Fee, for war purposes $3,189,971. Then there $75. were the special votes made during the year such as $50,000 to the West River Relief Fund, $50,000 to the Tientsin Re- lief Fund $66,207 to the Hallifax Relief Fund, which were not anticipated in the estimates and which had to be set out in this Bill. It has to be borne in mind that against these increases there have been considerable savings on money voted For by the Council for the year 1918. instance in personal emoluments (salaries) Theo a saving of $454,000 is shown. there is a saving of $329,000 under mis- cellaneous expenditure; $106,000 saved on pensions, $107.000 on Public Works Extraordinary, $287,000 on public debt. The Bavings on public debt and pensions are due to the rise in exchange. With regard to the personal emoluments I may say that the saving of $454,000 is recounted for largely by shortage of staff, servants being absent on war ser- vice. For instance $103,000 was saved in this way in the Police Department, but on the other hand the Government grant- ed special allowances to the men absent and that is shown under Miscellaneous Services amounting to 8207,000.
The Bill passed without amendment.
Charitable Services
WILA
The Officer Administering the Govern ment recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred and twelve dollars and seventy-two cents ($119.79) in aid of haritable Services: Charitable Pension, 84.66; Charitable Allowance, $28.06.
THE CHAIRMAN-This is in respect to unfor- a family who have had a very tunate history, Two brothers who were for a long time in the Government service died, and the only other son met with his death in the Racecourse disaster. No male members of the family are left and this vote is to increase the grant from the Widows and Orphans Fund.
The vote was agreed to.
The Officer Administering the Govern ment recommended the Council to vote Blm of farty-eight thousand dollars (48,000) on account of Miscellaneous Ser- vices, Rice Allowance.
THE CHAIRMAN- Members know that the Government has given 9 a month special rice allowance to persons drawing 370 a month or under. This is to cover that change.
The vote was agreed to.
Public Works Extraordinary,
Kowloon
The Officer Administering the Govern ment recommended the Council to rote a sum of six thousand five hundred dol- lars ($6.500) in aid of the vote Public Works Extraordinary, Kowloon. Water Works, (39) Miscellaneous Works.
THE CHAIRMAN This is for 20 hydrants which C.8.P. requires.
The vote was agreed to.
Eurniture for the Imports and Exports Department
The Officer Administering the Govern atent recommended the Council to vote A sum of three hundred dollars ($300) in aid of the rate Imports and Exports De- partment, other charges. furniture.
The vote was agreed to.
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