HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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Following the Council, a meeting of the Finance Committee was held, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
Votes totalling $23,173, contained in Message No. 15, from H.E. The Governor, were considered.
Item No. 84: Miscellaneous Services:-Office International D'Hygiene Publique, Paris, $302.
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON.—I should like to ask what the Office International D'Hygiene Publique, Paris, is?
THE CHAIRMAN.—It is a very old-established body and works in connexion with the League of Nations.
it.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.-Is this an annual contribution?
THE CHAIRMAN.—I can let you have all the information about
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON. Your explanation that it is an old institution and that we have subscribed previously, is, I think, sufficient.
THE CHAIRMAN.-It was established in 1903. The Committee is recognised as an advisory health council to the League of Nations. It is a larger and a more representative body than the League's health organisation. At present there is only one British member on the Health Committee of the League of Nations while on the Committee of the Office International, whether acting independently or as an advisory health council of the League the absence of representatives with experience of British colonial medicine and tropical diseases, tends to make the representation of the British Empire one-sided and deficient. There are strong arguments in favour of British representation. Its original object as described in the resolution was briefly to collect and collate information as to the progress of infectious diseases and to publish periodical reports of its work. Representation would involve the payment of fifteen units equivalent to 9,375 gold francs, which may be roughly estimated at £375. It was thought that the best arrangement would be to invite some of the larger colonies and those which are most likely to be interested in the work of the Office to contribute an equal share of the subscription. Promises of contributions of approximately £25 per annum have already been obtained from Ceylon, Nigeria, Straits Settlements and Kenya and the Secretary of State desires to know whether the Hong Kong Government will be prepared to con- tribute this sum or slightly more. If this arrangement can be completed it is contemplated that the representation of the colonies on the permanent committee should be undertaken in the first instance by Sir William Prout.
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