116
101
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
in criticising land occupied by the Mili tary Au horities after the but I
WAT.
Am sure that 111 hoz.ouble and gallant friend will not misinterpret | the criticism nor understand the ad miration which we all have for the forces in the Colony and the value which they are to us. It really is a purely economic problem-from that point of view alone we approach it-and 1 am sur he will, also without so timent upon either side. I do not hesitate to say that the occupation by the Military Authorities. or by the Naval for that matter, of so large a portion of the very centre and heart of the Colony, dividing it as it is to-day, is an absolute bar to the economic progress and development of the Colony. With the vast quantities of land which could provide suitable occupation both on the Island and the Mainland, the diffi- culty should be faced and, I think, in all deference, it can easily be overcome. It was prophesied at the beginning of this war that the exclusion of the Germans from this Colony would directly lead to empty offices and empty houses. To-day. | sir. it is well known to all of us that it is extremely difficult to find an office' or any house whatever- indeed a house cannot be obtained no matter what price you are prepared to pay-and that rents have soared higher and higher as the years have gone by, and so long as the present pressure remains are likely to do Therefore. in the interests of the commer cial progress of the Colony, upon which both the Government and the people as well as the Military and Naval Authori ties-it is a problem which should be faced with a little more outward show of hurry than has been apparent in the past. is with a feeling that this is realised by the Government that I refrain from speaking at greater length upon the sub- ject, because the need is so crying that it speaks for itself. No one who is familiar with the history of the Colony, or who has watched its development even in the war years, can fail to be impressed with the urgent and crying need of greater office, warehouse and housing accommoda- tion for the Colony, especially in the central district.
17
So.
It
H.E. THE GENERAL OFFICER COM MANDING-Your Excellency, I am very glad to have this opportunity of expressing the military position. the Military position and attitude, on this question, and I would hasten to assure you the mover and seconder of this resolution that we are
It may
trying to move with the times and that we have no desire to hinder the progress
dis Colony so long as the in:litary ticiency in no way safters.
We are quite prepared to meel you In this matter, and we have already formulated a broad outline of a scheme to do so, It
seems desirable that the Council should have a clear idea of the principles upon which we are prepared to act. In the first place, as is evident from this resolution, the arrangement is at the instance of and for the benefit of the Colony. Accordingly, no cost whatever should fail upon Army funds. obviously be desirable and possible to carry out arrangements for the transfer in sections, as convenient to both parties. At the same time the scheme will have, first of all, to be considered as a whole. Our military establishments in Victoria and Kowloon are healthy: they provide the soldier with the amenities of life and facilities for recreation. Those which will be required will have to be equally healthy of the most modern type, provided with all the amenities con- Bidered necessary for the soldier of to-day as well as all requisite facilities for military training and recreation. They will have to be connected with mechanical transport routes, with points we shall specify. No establishment will be vacated until the new establishment by the unit concerned, until that new is complete. ready and fit for occupation establishment has been passed as fit by the War Department. I have said enough to show you that the transfer re- ferred to in this resolution would be costly and will take time. You cannot build barracks, with all their accessories, in a day. So far as we are concerned we are quite prepared to go ahead with a workable scheme. The rate of pro- gress will depend upon the rapidity with which the Colony makes up its mind to meet our needs. We will talk business if you are prepared to find the money. It seems to me, therefore, that this re- solution could
carry more
weight-a
little more meat in it-if it contained a clause requesting the Government to make such financial provision as may be necessary to carry out the transfer.
EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR I must say that I think it will be unneces- sary to add the words proposed by my honourable and gallant colleague be-
I
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
To Encourage New Building Construction
102
HON. MR. POLLOCK in accordance
CC
new
'That, with a view to encourage the construction of
houses in this Colony, it is desirable for the Govern- ment to pass an Ordinance exempting, for 3 years after completion, from liability to pay rates, any new build- ings, the plans for which may be sent in for the first time after the mencement of such Ordinance."
cause everybody knows the Government has for years been pressing the Military to clear out of the land occupied by them- selves and their mules, and has always been ready to put up whatever money with notice previously given proposed: Is required. The matter will not re- quire a very great deal of money because it can only be done by degrees, and as the Military move one step we can sell the land and probably recoup ourselves for the expenditure incurred. A fairly considerable amount of money will have to be put up in the first instance, but there will be no difficulty about that. The financial question will require a certain amount of thinking out, as well as the circumstances under which some of these lands came to be vested in the Military. I am not altogether sure I entirely agree with the views of the General Officer Commanding. I should hesitate at the moment to commit myself to the state ment that the Colony is prepared to do everything required by the Military Authorities-even Military Authoritie
than that I am entirely in sympathy with the resolution and I see no reason why you should not pass it.
your
was
Com-
forward against the Government from The Hon. member said: It has been put time to time as a matter of criticism, that the Government is very anxious to get as much money as it can, and that, on the other hand, it is not prepared to give anything by way of facilitating the build- ing of new houses in this Colony, and it is with the view of removing that re-
I do not
As
are not always entirely reasonable-but proach from the Government that this 1 am sure I can say we will do every-resolution is brought forward. thing that is reasonable and necessary. think, however, there can be any question I think it is unnecessary to say more
that new developments in this Colony are very urgently required. The recent pre- liminary census has shown us that prob ably the normal increase of the Colony's population is about 20,000 a year, and HON. MR. POLLOCK With
we also know that any disturbances which Excellency's permission, I should just take place from time to time in the neigh- like to say a few words, and that is it bouring provinces are liable to bring an seems to me that there is one phrase influx from the mainland of China. which His Excellency, the General
regards the principle of exempting from Officer Commanding, used which
liability to any rates any new buildings. hopeful in the direction of progress, and some of the States of America, and, as I believe such a principle is adopted in that is that he spoke of carrying out the arrangement to transfer in sections. Government-though I do not know that your Excellency is aware, the Home Well, Sir, might I venture to suggest to the honourable and gallant member that the first section that we shall deal with is the section which is dealt with by this motion, that is to say the Military estab- lishments along Queen's Road. As re- gards any question of reasonable pay- ment. I think I can assure your Excel- lency on behalf of the Unofficial members that whatever is reasonable the Un- official members will be prepared to vote for this much-needed improvement in the Colony.
it has adopted that principle-has adopted the principle of raising loans for build- ing houses in order that money may be advanced at a moderate rate to those desiring to build new houses. That prin- ciple has been adopted at Home and the other principle has been adopted, I think, in the United States of America. I think, sir, that this principle of exemption from rates would be, in view of the present state of our finances, perhaps the easiest way of granting facilities for the erection of new buildings. I think the term of The motion was then put to the meet-suggested, is quite a moderate term.
three years after completion, which I have ing and declared by His Excellency the was anxious, I may say, to make the term Governor to be carried. His Excellency the moderate becau." embarking upon what General Officer Commanding abstained from is a new experiment one's tendency is voting.
rather to be conservative than to launch