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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
possible, for the moment such extensive establishments like the dockyards, the electricity power station, cement works and the oil installations, the recent erection of large rubber-shoe, electric-torch and clock and felt hat factories, the introduction of a prosperous silk industry on the muddy foreshore of Ma-Tau-Wei, and, lastly, projected fire-cracker factories that promise to change the future outlook of Ngau-Shi-Wan are striking evidences of the popular faith in the future of the Peninsula.
Beyond the confines of Kowloon proper brick and ceramic works on modern principles have found a foothold at Castle Peak and Lowu. Minor industries are scattered throughout the thriving districts of the New Territories with their thousands of contented farmers and simple country folks. Electricity will supply the motive power that is bound to assist in the development of existing, and foster the establishment of new, industries. With these outsanding examples of the length to which private enterprise is prepared to go, the timidity on the part of Government demonstrated in its declared policy of the maintenance of a minimum ten-million dollar balance is a little surprising, to say the least.
Government's selection of the most prominent public works required for Kowloon is one that has commended itself to the public, if the views expressed in the English newspapers in Hong Kong correctly reflect public opinion as they usually do. One important omission from that list, however, has been dealt with in his usual thorough manner by my honourable friend, the Senior Unofficial Member. The omission, relating to the absence of the provision of a sufficient sum for the commencement of a Post Office building in Kowloon, cannot be passed over without some supplemental comment from me. There was a time, not so long ago, when it was mooted that Government had contemplated a central administration building for the Peninsula. In fact, even the site for such a building had been indicated. It is fervently hoped that when plans are drawn for the new Post Office building it will cover an area sufficiently large in order to provide for a central building for the administration of Kowloon and its environs, adequate for the needs not only of the present but of future generations.
The present system for the making up of mails in Kowloon needs revising. Residents cannot see why Kowloon mails must be made up twelve or fifteen hours earlier than in Hong Kong when mail steamers are berthed at the Kowloon wharves. If an improvement can be effected in the existing system it will be appreciated. I must not leave the subject of the Post Office without a word of praise for the architectural office of the Public Works Department responsible for the artistic little pavilion on Kowloon City Road doing duty for a district Post Office. A similar type of building and as prettily designed and erected in a similar setting in the district of Kowloon Tong should be a boon to its residents.
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