October 10, 1930]
truth"
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JOHNSTON and his once written to this ug out in what respect paper, they corred our comment unfair or inad rate, instead of allowing nearly a month to pass by without saying a word in protest. Either Mr. JOHNSTON'S views were cor- rectly q in our columns, or they
We invite him or his friends to indicate any in- accuracy in quotation, or any un- fairness in our comment upon them. Finally, we will say that it would have been more in the interests of truth" if the Editor of the Monthly Magazine had informed his readers categorically and unequivocally precisely where he considered our comment to be inaccurate or unfair, instead of writing a paragraph which, while making no specific allegation, creates an impression which is wholly unwarranted by the facts.
C
WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
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(Daily Press, October 9, 1930). NEXT week the Legislative Council will meet to discuss the Estimates for 1931 at least, we assume there will be a debate. The last time we anticipated an interesting discus- sion in the Council Chamber not a single word was spoken in comment
the speech submitting upon motion for approval. If a Vote of 13 lakhs can be swiftly and silently dealt with, there is no reason why a Vote for 23 million dollars could not be similarly disposed of. The Colonial Secretary has introduced the Budget, and its adoption has been duly seconded. Asked whether an adjournment until October 16 would give Unofficial Members of the Council sufficient time to con-
Estimates, H.E. sider the
the Governor was informed that it would, and so the matter stands. We hope, when the Legislative Council meets next week, the Un- cial Members will not sit
htly as they did last week, for are quite a number of points e local Budget for 1931 which material for interesting dis-
cussion.
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Apart from salaries, there are few departures in the Estimates from those of the present year, except in the direction of savings, Says the Colonial Secretary. It is therefore worth while looking at the items he has excluded-and the result is rather striking, though not exactly surprising. Salaries and pensions stand in the coming Budget at nearly 13 million dollars, an increase of almost 50 per cent. on the figures for 1929! Starting at Government House, personal emoluments show a substantial rise all the way down the scale to the coolies at Kowloon Magistracy, where we are delighted to observe economy has been effected by abolishing good conduct allowances amounting to ten dollars a month shared between four men. His Excellency's salary of £4,800 is in- creased from $57,600 to $72,000, and entertainment allowance rises from $14,400 to $33,000. The Governor's private secretary and aide-de-camp each receive $7,500 instead of $3,600 and the cost of upkeep of ubertorial motor-cars increases
""
,040 to $2,080. This latter in addition to the wages nd chauffeur and a motor
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
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cleaner. The total expenditure charged in the Estimates for 1931 against H.E. the Governor is $162,869, as against $108,505 in
1930.
The Cadet Service next year ist going to cost $566,000, against) $362,000 in the present year Cadets in Class I. will draw $166,000 instead of $88,000, their number increasing from five to seven. The 25 officers in Class II. (whose numbers are increased by: two) will draw $350,000 instead of $228,000, and a personal allowance to one officer of £300 increases from $3,600 to $4,500. Salaries to mem- bers of senior clerical and account- ing staff will rise from $242,000 to $334,000 ($220,000 in 1929), while the juniors next year will receive $916,000 instead of $753,000 this year. In the Colonial Secretary's Office rigid economy has been ob- served. Good conduct allowances paid to 15 men, amounting to $127 per annum, have been abolished, and the Colonial Secretary's salary increased from $24,000 to $34,500, while his chief clerk is to receive $13,000 instead of $7,600. In the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs good conduct allowances to seven have been struck out, representing
men
437
RIALTO IN GLOOM.
NEW TAX RUMOUR CAUSES
ALARM.
491
Great concern was shown in and around Ice House Street this week as a result of a persistent rumour to the effect that the Government will shortly introduce a scheme of taxation whereby certain local com- panies at present enjoying a busi- ness monopoly will be affected.
The Colonial Secretary, in his Budget speech last week, gave no indication of any such tax, but the report is taken very seriously on the Rialto. Business yesterday was practically at a standstill, nobody apparently being wishful to buy.
It has not been possible to trace the origin of this rumour, but it appears to be based upon belief that the Government will not pro- ceed with its plan to increase the assessment tax, but will seek some other source of additional revenue.
a saving of $172 per annum, while DEATH OF MR. J. F.
personal emoluments generally show an increase for 1931 of $4,500 over the figures for 1930.
In the Treasury Department per- sonal emoluments show an increase of from $10,800 in 1930 to nearly there $47,000 for 1931! Fortunately, were some good conduct allowances also paid in this office, amounting to $320 per annum, which extra- vagance has been dealt with ruth- lessly.
are
PILCHER.
SHANGHAI INTERPORT
GOLFER.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
SHANGHAI, Oct. 3.
Mr. J. F. Pilcher, of the South British Insurance Company, the well-known interport golfer, former- ly of Hong Kong, died this morn- ing.
DEATH OF MR. W. J. G.
WHILEY.
The new post of Deputy Treasurer accounts for $21,000 extra on the pay roll, and another new officer, a cashier, explains the ad- Four press- dition of $10,500 more. men (with small initial)
a employed in the Stamp Office, and their combined salaries have been raised from $528 to $732, in appre- ciation of the high cost of living- but they lose $108 in good conduct allowances! It is very curious to observe that in all Government FORMER SOCONY MANAGER. Departments good conduct is now expected to go without the special and practical recognition formerly In the Post Office there given to it. were 67 mail-carriers who used to receive $1,700 per annum in good conduct allowances. These have been all abolished, but the personal emoluments of better-paid postal are increased from employers $163,000 to $200,000. To pursue this comparison of expenditure might be tedious, but a further survey of the 1931 Estimates will reveal in due course some even more interesting facts.
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE,
BRIGADE.
His many friends in the Colony will hear with much regret that news has been received of the death, which occurred at Caronado, Cali- fornia, on September 6, of Mr. W. J. G. Whiley, formerly of the Standard Oil Company, at the age of 53.
a
Mr. Whiley came to the Colony many years ago and was at first
with connected
flour business established by his father. Later he joined the Standard Oil Company and was with them for over
20
He
He served as manager in years. Manila about 15 years ago, sub- sequently returning to the Hong Kong office where he was in charge of the shipping department. was also a director of the Standard Transportation Co., which handles the Socony tanker service, and left the Colony two years ago on retire-
The hon. treasurer of the St. John Ambulance Brigade begs to acknowledge with thanks the re- ceipt of a cheque for $100 from Lady Margaret Ho Tung, Dame of Gracement. Order of St. John of Jerusalem, for the purchase of material for the Nursing Divisions which have been formed into a Sewing Guild with the object of making articles required by the St. John Hospital Jeru- salem, in respect to an appeal from that organisation,
Whilst in Hong Kong, he lived for the most part at the Hong Kong Club, the flag of which was flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to the deceased.
Much sympathy will be extended to the widow and two daughters, who are in California,
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