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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE, COUNCIL.
met, if only to a partial extent. We raised the question last year, and it is gratifying to us to find that our representations have borne fruit.
On behalf of the Directors of the Tung Wah and Kwong Wah Hospitals we beg to thank your Excellency for having sanctioned the payment of the cost of free burials carried out by these two institu- tions. The Chinese community is keenly sensible of the sympathetic interest which your Excellency takes in their welfare.
I must not conclude, sir, without associating the Chinese com- munity with the congratulations as well as the assurance of loyalty and support tendered by the Honourable Senior Unofficial Member. During the troublous times through which the Colony has passed, the community has been greatly heartened by the practical sympathy shown by His Majesty's Government on more than one occasion. The loyalty which the Chinese feel towards the Government is equalled by the loyalty they feel for your Excellency personally. The patience, judgment and untiring zeal which you have displayed in governing the Colony in these extremely difficult times have won the respect, admiration and, I may say, affection of the people. Your example has been an inspiration to us all-an inspiration which has steeled us against adversity, and renewed our faith in the future. (Applause.)
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said-The very favourable reception accorded to the Budget by my unofficial colleagues has robbed the task of replying to the debate of most of its difficulties. I would first like to thank my honourable friends for their very kind references to the way in which the Budget was presented and explained. It is to my staff rather than to myself that any tribute should be paid.
The Government is highly gratified that its policy of economy combined, as we hope, with no loss of efficiency has met with such unanimous acceptance by the Unofficial Members of the Council. We are glad to find that our loan proposals have met with approval, and in this connection I would like to remind some of our outside critics that even loans have to be paid for. Our modest loan of $5,000,000, and we admit it is modest, will cost us ultimately $634,000 per annum, and, moreover, although we have reason to believe there is ample money in the Colony to have enabled us to raise a larger loan, we do not wish to drain the money market of funds which ought to be held in readiness to finance the improved trade to which we are all confidently looking forward,
The Honourable the Senior Unofficial Member drew attention to an estimated decrease in the revenue from water excess supply and meter rents of $70,000. The apparent decrease is due to an over-estimate for 1927. The actual revenues have been as follows:-
1924
1925
1926
$540,534
$538,035
(
$471,679
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