6.
34
Government has much leeway to make up especially in matters
of sanitation and preventive medicine, for which yet larger
sums will, I expect, be required in future years. I do not
disguise from myself the fact that the Colony's revenue is barely adequate for its needs and I have little doubt that,
within the next few years, additional revenue must be raised
for the service of the Government and that the comparatively
cheap price of water will have to be increased. The present
burden of taxation cannot, however, be regarded as heavy and
further revenue can, I am convinced, be raised without
hardship. Provided the year 1930 is one of normal prosperity
unhampered by disturbances in the neighbouring provinces of
China, I have no reason to fear that there will be any
difficulty in financing the Budget now under discussion.
Owing to the difficulty of filling new appointments it is
almost inevitable that there should be large savings on the
Personal Emoluments votes for the coming year and the progress
in construction of public works, and therefore the expenditure
upon them, is generally less than the Public Works Department
anticipates.
12.
The motions to which I referred in paragraph 4
of my despatch of the 6th September, 1929, were unanimously approved by Council after the passing of the Budget.
13.
I shall at a later date address Your Lordship
regarding the raising of the proposed loan and regarding the report of the Salaries Commission, which as Your Lordship will
be aware was received too late for consideration with the
Budget.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Cement
Governor, &c.