HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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apparatus is for paint spraying purposes the proposal should not be concurred in.
Criticism is rather more ungenerous when it comes to sub-head 41, "Sheung Shui Station, Extensions, $43,100." I am not so great a user of the railway as to be in a position of being a fair critic; but if the presumption is true that the station is to be extended at a cost of $43,100 for the benefit of a few golfers only, then the proposed expenditure requires more careful scrutiny.
Sub-head 45 is the re-appearance of $40,000 for "new bodywork for four coaches." There are technical men who advocate that, before incurring this expenditure, enquiries might be made of, and tenders invited from, firms in the Colony capable of building railway coaches, of which there are several. In this connexion there are those who hold that the present third-class coaches are of an entirely unsuitable type for the traffic on this line.
The advantage of assisting local industries is obvious. While on this subject, I trust Your Excellency will kindly direct that the deliberations of the Empire Conference be closely watched in order that full benefit be taken of its recommendations, with special reference to Empire trade preference. Our local industries need all the assistance they can obtain for their maintenance and develop- ment. It has been regretfully observed that a few are struggling with intensive competition of heavily subsidised products.
It is an elementary obligation imposed upon the Colony to ensure that its industrial rivals enter this field upon a footing of equality and not upon terms so disadvantageous to local enterprises as to defeat all possibility of successful competition. The Colonial Secretary in his speech hinted that "the share market indicates that commercial undertakings are expected to prosper." It is sincerely to be hoped that there may be early fulfilment of this prophecy, to effect which Government can do its part by securing for our industrial undertakings a measure of freedom from unfair competition against which we have so strenuously to fight.
Colonial Development Fund.
In another direction also could Government assistance be most helpful. There is the Imperial Colonial Development Fund. Could not Hongkong petition for the allocation of its quota which might be utilised, among other purposes, towards promoting, fostering and developing private enterprises redounding to the benefit of Hong Kong?
The present appears to be the ideal moment for an appeal to be made to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies when a comparatively small round sum in sterling would represent a large amount when converted into Hong Kong dollars.
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