Enclosure No. 4.
45
Extracts from the "Hong Kong Daily Press" of 16th Sept. 1927
BUDGET FOR 1928 PASSED.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS,
GOVERNMENT'S POLICY CORDIALLY ENDORSED.
SUGGESTED ENQUIRY INTO THE CAUSES OF THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.
The feature of the Budget Debate in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon was the very cordial approval of the Govern- ment's policy expressed by the Unofficial Members. It was the unanimous opinion that the Government were proceeding on the right lines in studying economy and conserving the Colony's finan- cial resources.
For the first time in the history of the Colony the collective views of the Unofficial members of the Council were presented by one of the Chinese members. This fact was commented upon in a very felicitous manner by the Hon. Mr. D. G. M. Bernard who complimented Sir Shouson Chow upon the way in which he had performed the task entrusted to him. The compliment was thoroughly deserved for Sir Shouson Chow made an admirable speech which was followed with the closest attention.
The Hon. Dr. Kotewall, speaking on behalf of the Chinese. community, entered a strong plea that the Government would re-consider their decision to raise school fees in the Colony, and subsequently, after approving the Government's decision to admit men as well as women to the Victoria Hospital, suggested that the patients in the Government hospitals might, if they so wished, be attended by their own doctors. The Colonial Secretary, in his reply, however, expressed the opinion that the higher school fees as now arranged would not inflict the slightest hardship on Chinese families. He also intimated that the Government could not allow doctors to attend Government hospitals for private practice.
The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton addressed the Council on behalf of the Justices of the Peace. He suggested the possibility of holding an enquiry into the reasons for the constantly increasing cost of living. The Government promised that this question should receive their earnest attention, but thought it would be found that the high cost of living was due to causes entirely beyond the Government's control. Mr. Shenton also pointed out that while next year the fees for marriage licences and the registration of births were expected to increase by fifty per cent. the fees for the public executioner were expected to increase to a similar extent.
H.E. The Governor presided over the meeting of the Council and those present included H.E. The General Officer Commanding The Troops (Major-General C. C. Luard, C.B., C.M.G.), the Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn, C.M.G.), the Attorney-General (Sir Joseph Kemp), the Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Mr. C. McI. Messer, O.B.E.), Hon. Mr. E. R. Hallifax, C.M.G., C.B.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs), Hon. Mr. H. T. Jackman (Acting Director of Public Works), Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe (Captain Superintendent of Police), Hon. Sir Shouson Chow, Hon. Mr. D. G. M. Bernard, Hon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton, Hon. Mr. A. C. Hynes, Hon. Dr. R. H. Kotewall, C.M.G., Hon. Mr. J. Owen Hughes and Mr. E. W. Hamilton (Deputy Clerk of Councils).