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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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HON. MR. KOTEWALL.-Can the Colonial Treasurer say for how many years the stubs are to be preserved. I mean to say that if they are to be preserved for two or three years probably more filing cabinets may be required.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER. We shall preserve them for two years and we shall probably want one more set of filing cabinets next year. After that, this year's lot will be put away in brown paper.
HON. MR. KOTEWALL.-This may be a good opportunity for the Colonial Treasurer to tell us whether the new cash registers are working satisfactorily.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER.-Yes, I can assure you they are working extremely satisfactorily, and at present the staff has been reduced by three. In a month's time a further two clerks will be dispensed with. That is reducing the staff in the revenue branch to 16 as against 21 at the beginning of the year. There is also a large saving in forms. This year the reduction, it is estimated, will amount to over a quarter of a million. This reduction in the cost of clerical assistance at approximately $1,000 per man per annum, amounts to $5,000 per annum and the saving in cost of paper is roughly $1,000 per year making a total of $6,000 a year, so the machines should pay for themselves in four years. From the public side there is a saving in time with no waiting for the receipts. Up to eleven o'clock this morning 314 receipts were issued.
HON. MR. KOTEWALL.-It is very satisfactory and I congratulate the Colonial Treasurer on the introduction of these registers.
HON. MR. BRAGA.-I beg to differ from the Senior Unofficial Chinese Member on his congratulations, because, apparently, this is one of the policies by which the "small fry" are made to suffer.
HON. MR. SHENTON.-I beg to move a point of order. Has this anything to do with the minute we have before us?
HON. MR. BRAGA. The remark has been elicited by the remarks of the Honourable Senior Unofficial Chinese Member. I think it is very unfortunate that the "small fry" are to pay in this policy of economy.
HON. MR. SHENTON,-I must object on a point of order.
THE CHAIRMAN.-I think you are out of order, Mr. Braga.
I think, also, the previous discussion was out of order.
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