HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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necessary for formulating our future policy in this respect," and that a Commission would be appointed to study it. The importance of an adequate supply of fresh water for the island of Hong Kong and Kowloon cannot be over emphasized and we trust, Sir, that this sessional power will not be unduly delayed.
The proposal to build an aerodrome, to which your Excellency alluded in your speech at the last meeting of this Council, affords pleasing evidence that the Colony is keeping fully abreast of the times. When the aerodrome is completed Hong Kong will have an important new asset, and will take its place as a link in the chain of airways with which the Imperial Government is binding the Empire yet closer together. The community's satisfaction with the prospect of this new acquisition to our commercial and social amenities is increased by the knowledge that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has proposed that the Imperial Government shall bear three-quarters of the cost, and the Colony one-quarter. It is sincerely to be hoped that this proposal will receive the approval of His Majesty's Government.
Before concluding, Sir, I wish to express our entire agreement with the sound policy you are pursuing in husbanding the financial resources of the Colony while at the same time pushing ahead essential public works that can be undertaken without undue financial strain. Hong Kong, to-day, with all its troubles, is still one of the greatest ports in the world, and may look to regain the premier position one day. A Colony like this cannot stand still, for to stop is to go back. Hong Kong does not intend to go back. The vitality it has shown in the face of every trial in recent years more than justifies our faith in the future. Your Excellency has referred to the wonderful results that can be achieved when Britons and Chinese collaborate in the develop- ment of a country. An example of this is to be seen in the present splendid co-operation between the British and Chinese sections of the Kowloon-Canton Railway. The Colony needs only the loyalty and co-operation which were displayed by all sections of the community in the face of the big crisis of 1925 to make it invincible against all attempts to check its progress; and we can assure you, Sir, with all confidence, that you can count upon the same measure of loyalty and co-operation in that future to which we are looking with steadfast hope and unshaken faith. (Applause.)
Hon. Mr. D. G. M. BERNARD said-Your Excellency,-As the Senior European Unofficial Member of this Council, I wish to associate my colleagues and myself with the address which has just been delivered by the Senior Unofficial Member. This is the first occasion on which the views of the Unofficial Members have been presented by a Chinese Member, and I wish to take the opportunity of congratulating my honourable friend on the able manner in which he has performed this very important duty. In his concluding remarks he drew atten- tion to the necessity of co-operation between British and Chinese which I think is generally recognized as being essential for the well being and
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