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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
form of abuse and put a stop to pernicious actions hurtful to businesses that have cost much money and taken long years of patience and toil to build up and that must be protected not only from "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," but also from enemies within our gates who seek their own selfish gain at the expense of the general good.
Kowloon is looked on by many as a "Promised Land" to be jealously guarded and conserved as the precious heritage of pioneer settlers whose descendants have in Kowloon their permanent home. (Applause).
THE HON. MR. S. W. T'SO:-Your Excellency, I desire to associate myself with the views which have been so fully and ably expressed by the Senior Unofficial Member Sir Henry Pollock, also by the Senior Chinese Member, the Hon. Dr. Kotewall on the Budget; and to congratulate the Government for presenting to this Council a Budget framed on the basis of safety and caution. I feel that so long as the value of the dollar is uncertain and while trade depression is still among us, a policy of caution is extremely wise and desirable.
The Chinese Conmmunity greatly appreciates that the estimates for the year 1933 were prepared with a view to avoiding additional taxation and it is earnestly hoped that no unforeseen circumstances. will happen that may compel the Government to deviate from its policy. For, every fresh taxation means further burden on trade and increase to the cost of living. Although Hong Kong is said to have fared rather better than the rest of the world during the last two years, yet, with a constant recurrence of unrest in the Far East and with trade depression still hanging over the world, Hong Kong may not be able to escape the common fate. It is necessary therefore that, while our financial position is still sound, strict economy compatible with efficiency should be exercised. With co-operation between Government and people Hong Kong stands a good chance against any adverse circumstances that may happen.
As my Hon. Colleagues who spoke before me have already dealt fully with the Budget, there remains little for me to comment on. But I should like to add my voice to the appeal made by the Hon. Mr. Shenton and the Hon. Dr. Kotewall for an increased grant to the Society for the Protection of Children. The good work done by this Society and its financial position have been fully set out by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall in his speech. It only remains for me to emphasize its need of financial support and associate myself with the Hon. members in asking for an increased grant to this deserving institution.
In the Budget debate last year I urged the Government to give every encouragement to the farmers in the New Territories to increase their agricultural production. I am pleased to note that in the Estimates under Head No. 28, for miscellaneous services, the
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