HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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We are not informed how much of the $31,500 was so included, nor are we given any explanation regarding any part of this sum that may not have been so included. We are glad that the Government has made provision for the maintenance and supply of furniture under "Other Charges" of the Department instead of under the Head "Public Works Extraordinary" which should be reserved for public works of a non-recurrent nature.
Military Contribution.
Concerning Military Contributions, shown on Page 108, the Hon. Colonial Treasurer, in reply to a question put by the senior unofficial member in 1929, stated that the Colony had not so far paid military contribution on any profit due to exchange, as the question was still under discussion with the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
We should like to be informed what decision has been reached in this matter.
Waterwork Schemes.
Though the financing of the Shing Mun and Aberdeen Water- works is by public loan and does not therefore strictly come within the Estimates, it is nevertheless a part of public expenditure, paid out of public money raised on loan, and we therefore consider this an appropriate occasion to speak on the subject.
We express the earnest hope that the Government will not allow the stringency of the economic situation to impede for one day the progress of these most urgent and important works. They are works which should take precedence of all others, and, in the words of Sir Cecil Clementi, should be pressed rapidly to a successful conclusion.
Administrative Expenses.
We have offered no comments on the present heavy expenses of the Colony's administration, because the Hon. Colonial Secretary has informed us that in its efforts at economy the Government had largely left the question of personnel to the Retrenchment Commission. We sincerely hope that the labour of the Commission will be productive of satisfactory results.
Finally I wish, on behalf of the unofficial members, to pledge to your Excellency our support of your policy of exercising as much thrift as is consistent with efficiency, and our co-operation in your difficult task of guiding the Colony through a period of depression which we hope will not be of long duration. Though we may be disquieted by the stormy weather, and even at times doubt the sturdiness of the ship, we have entire confidence in the skill of the man at the helm.--(Applause).
THE HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.-Sir, The Hon. Senior Unofficial Member, in the address we have just listened to, has very
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