403
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13
the ground is not available we must look to Kowloon. The railway there from Hunghom to the Tunnel mouth might be lined with small houses of the naturo suggested-later on the foot hills around King's Park will doubtless be made accessible by means of roads. In this connection I would ask that the site sug- gested for the New Kowloon Cemetery be not adopted. Some day that valley will be required for a recreation ground and the hill and slopes surrounding it will be covered with houses. I agree with you, Si, that we should take a long view of the future position both as regards the island and the mainland. The census shows a continued increase in the Euro- pean and Chinese population, and it seems incredible that Hongkong should stand still. I may be accused of being over optimistic, but no pessimist I ever met was endowed with anything that seemed to encourage him to look upwards and enjoy the heights.
Both the uplooker and the down looker, Sir, may be apt to bump into the lamp posts of reality, but I believe more good is done in the world by optimism than by the leverse.
HON. MR. A. G. STEPHEN.
WIDER ASPECTS OF THE COLONY'S FINANCES.
The
The Hon. Mr. A. G. STEPHEN: Senior unofficial member and my two unofficial colleagues have dealt so ably and in such detail with the various items of the Budget that I do not pro- pose to do more than invite your con- sideration to a few of the wider aspects of the finances of the Colony. Although this is considered generally to be a lightly taxed community, living expenses have increased enormously during the last fifteen years. Men of the Foreign Community of moderate means find it difficult to live decently and provide for the education of their families at home, while the labouring classes, although their wages have increased, seem no better off than they formerly were. Various factors account for this: since the war the value of money has decreased all over the world, but I think the prin- cipal reason here is the great increase in rents which has affected all classes. and I hope the Government will very seriously consider the remarks which have been made by Mr. Bird. The Government dealt with this question last summer-reluctantly I am sure, as it is, 28 a rule, not good policy to inter- fere with the ordinary law of supply and demand. But I think the root of the trouble should be sought for. It is a matter of common gossip that there is a ring of contractors here in combination which has forced up the cost of building beyond all reason. The price of one service to the community reacts on the price of everything else, and, until housing accommodation is available for all classes at a moderate rate, Hongkong can never regain its old reputation as a cheap port.
LIVING FROM HAND TO MOUTH.
It appears to me that the Budget has hitherto been framed with almost sole regard to the amount of money which the P.W.D. can expend. Some months ago you raised the rates and when, in the course of a few weeks you found the P.W.D. were not likely to spend so much as was expected, you lowered them again. If you increase that establishment so that the Public Works in hand can be more expeditiously proceeded with, you will, following the precedent of recent years, have to increase your taxation to keep pace with their activities. I think