HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MINUTES.
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The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table the following paper:-
Regulations and exemptions under sections 3 and 35 respectively of the Motor Spirit Ordinance, 1930, Ordinance No. 4 of 1930, on 15th. October, 1930.
FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee, No. 14 of 16th October, 1930, and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and this was agreed to.
THE BUDGET.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of "A Bill to apply a sum not exceeding Twenty three million three hundred and sixty-five thousand three hundred and thirty-five dollars to the Public Service of the year 1931."
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
THE HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW.-Sir, It is my privilege for the third time to present the joint views of the unofficial members of this Council on the Budget, after which certain of my honour- able colleagues will, as is customary, make some observations of their own.
This is Your Excellency's first budget; and although it is not one that can provoke our enthusiasm, since a considerable portion of the increased expenditure necessitating increased taxation is directly attributable to the general revision of salaries, we respect- fully tender Your Excellency our congratulations on the able man- ner in which you have grappled with the unusual difficulties of its production.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary's speech, and the Hon. Colonial Treasurer's memorandum on the Revenue, have made clear the financial position of the Colony; and the summaries now added to each Departmental Estimate, as a result of representations made. last year by the unofficial members, are an improvement, showing at a glance the total expenditure of each Department.
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