231
10
VG POST.
FRIDAY,
of the Government, I feel it neces- sary, while fully acknowledging the propriety of his enthusiasm for our possessions on the mainland, to sound a note of warning.
I am glad to find that our policy of keeping our reserve funds at not less than $10,000,000 meets with general approval and that the honourable member has found no support for his theory that it re- presents a timid policy; and when it is realized that, apart altogether from loan works and maintenance votes, we propose to spend no less than $1,719,600 on Public Works Extraordinary in Kowloon and New Kowloon next year, I feel sure that his suggestion that we are pursu- ing a policy of economy amounting to harmful stagnation will meet with a similar lack of support.
Squandermania.
OCTOBER 7. 1932.
appointed to consider the teaching of Chinese at the University and not to any lack of sympathy on the part of the Government with the study of Chinese. It is hoped that the University will in future be able to provide the funds necessary to carry out the recommendations of the Committee and so relieve the Government of this recurrent charge.
Protection of Children. Another item to which I wish to refer is the request, supported by all the unofficial members, for A larger subsidy for the Society for the Protection of Children. I re- joice to find the work of this Society so fully recognized and the Government's high appreciation of its work is acknowledged in the increase of the grant for next year from $3,000 to $5,000. It has Large revenue figures have their been suggested that this grant be dangers, for Unofficial members no increased to $10,000, but as at. less than for Heads of Depart-present advised I am unable to Iments. It has been my experience that the squandermania which such figures are said to encourage, if may be permitted to use a word which comes readily to the lips of the critics of Governments when funds run low, is more often due to Unofficial pressure than to any other cause. I trust, therefore, that my Unofficial friends will for- give the Government if it fails at times to respond to their blandish- ments and declines to
undertake works which, however desirable in themselves, might tend to involve the Colony in future financial diffi- culties.
Our present programme involves heavy future commitments and so far from extending the list it will be necessary to proceed very cautiously unt we are reasonably ware of our revenue for next year: The Senior Chinese Unofficial
member and the Hon. Mr. Shenton
we
have both drawn attention to the unsatisfactory trade conditions at the present time and of this bave some indication in a falling off of our revenue below the estimates for the current year. We hope it is only temporary phase. Should it proye otherwise the Gov- ernment may be obliged to curtail its programme of works for next year in order to avoid the necessity for increasing taxation.
8
on a
or even
accede to that request. With a Society of this kind which has very definite claim to charitable support from the general public, it is necessary balance between private subscrip- to preserve some
tion and Government grants, and while I am prepared to ask this Council to vote a subsidy dollar for dollar basis higher up to some definite limit, I do not feel able to support it to the extent of making it practically an unofficial Government Department. 1 would therefore ask hon membera to study the list of subscribers in Society and to the last annual report of the consider whether this excellent society is receiving its full measure of support from the general public. I should like to subscribers and should then see a much larger list of annual feel
more justified in asking you to in- crease the subsidy from Govern- ment Funds.
satisfied the Council and that now it is only necessary to move the resolutions formally.
lows:
The resolutions were as fol-
(1) That the Council approves of the expenditure of $66,398 on the Shing Mun Valley Water Supply Scheme (First Section} during the financial year 1983 which sum shall be met from a future loan and shall meanwhile be charged as an advance from the surplus balances of the Colony.
(2) That the Council approves of the expenditure of $268,000 on the Aberdeen Valley Water Scheme during the financial year 1933 which sum shall be met from a future loan and shall meanwhile be charged as an advance from the surplus balances of the Colony.
the expenditure of $50,000 on the (3) That the Council approves Shing Mun Valley Scheme (Second Section) Preliminary Works, of which $30,399.17 was expended in 1981, $9,600.83 in 1932, and the balance $10,000 is to be expended from a future loan and shall mean- in 1983, which sum shall be met while be charged as an advance Colony. from the surplus balances of the
Empire Products Fair. the Iron Mr. Shenton's list of out- I notice a curious omission from standing events of the year in the absence of any mention of the Em- pire Products Fair, to which the Hon Dr.Ts'o has made a passing reference. The omission is doubt icas due to a feeling of modesty but I should be failing in my duty if I did not insert it in the list and The natural anxiety of
make public acknowledgment of our Colony that there should be no Mr. Shenton
the indebtedness to the Honourable delay in the building of the Gorge Braga for all they did to make the and the Hon. Mr. Valley Dam on the Shing Mun River Fair a success. (applanse) It rests is reflected in the speeches of ser- largely with eral Honourable Members. Know-here and elsewhere to see that a British merchants ing this anxiety, which indeed the permanent benefit accrues to Em- ply Government shares, I telegraphed pire Trade
Gorge Valley Dam.
(4) That the Council approves the Shing Mun Valley Water Sup of the expenditure of $1,525,000 on
Scheme (Second Section)
to the Secretary of State on 27th Fair which brought prominently year 1933, which sum shall be as the result of the Gorge Dam, during the financial September for the latest informa-before the public the excellence and met from a future loan and shall tion on the subject. I am glad to abundance of local and other Bri- meanwhile be charged as be able to inform honourable mem-tish products.
advance from the surplus balances of the Celeny.
bers that a reply has reached me
mặt the
an
gum
of the expenditure of $170,000 on the Vehicular Ferry during the financial year 1933 which shall be met from a future loan and shall meanwhile be charged as an advance from the surplus
this morning. I am authorized to Before I close my remarks Latinite-shƐ Coamer vile we work is should like to associate myself with being expedited with the least pos- the Hon. Mr. Shenton in his grace sible delay. The Resident ful tribute to the work of His Ex- Engineer expects to reach Hong-cellency the Governor. There is kong on 17th November and the probably no one who knows better majority of the staff to be from England should arrive before cellency devotes to everything con- sent than myself the care which His Ex- the end of the year. The Consult- nected with the progress and deve- balances of the Colony. ing Engineers have prepared delopment of this Colony We look tailed drawings of the location and probable extent of the foundations of the dam so that arrangements can be made for excavation to pro- ceed at an early date and for the opening of quarries. The Crown Agents hope to invite tenders at an early date for excavating and
quarrying plant.
In the circumstances I hope I am justified in assuming that the Hon. the Senior Unofficial member will not press his request for a further telegram.
(6) That the Council approves His Ex- of the expenditure of $500,000 on the New Gaol at Wong Ma Kok
on their
forward to welcoming cellency and Lady Peel return to the Colony in the middle during the financial year 1983, of November next.
which sum shall be met from a Honourable Members, I thank future loan and shall meanwhile you for the careful scrutiny you be charged as an advance from have given to the Estimates, for the the surplus balances of the Colony, helpful suggestions you have put by the Colonial Treasurer
i The resolutions were seconded
operation with the Government ini carried. all matters which make for the wel- fare and prosperity of Hongkong. ture of $1,525,000 on the Shing
Shing Mun Dam. In connexion with the expendi- (Applause).
forward and for your continued co-i
Budget Passed.
The Appropriation Bill passed its second reading, went through Committee without and on being read the third time amendment was passed.
NEW ORDINANCES.
I desire to associate myself with the unofficial recognition of the work of the Police Force during the past year. With the very able assistance of the Military and Naval Forces for which I tender our thanks to His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Forces and to the Commodore, and of the Police Reserve and their Bill District watch Force, the Police Force has been able to cope effi- ciently with the very considerable dificulties of the past year. (Applause).
to Amend the Water- works. Ordinance.
DANGEROUS DRUGS.
and
Mun Valley Water Supply Scheme Pollock said he was not quite (Second Section), Sir Henry clear how far the expenditure of construction of the dam. would carry them in the matter He asked the opinion of the Director of Public Works.
The Director of Public Works stated that the figure was that given to them by the Consulting
Engineers as the amount of money
they expected to be spent during the first year after the start. It was never stated exactly what work would be done with the money, but it was obviously for Moving the first reading of "A, the plant and the beginning of the Bill to amend the Waterworks excavations. There would be very Ordinance, 1903," the Attorney- little construction work until the General said the object of the end of the year. amendment was to put into effect the resolution of Council passed on August 18.
The Colonial Secretary seconded
also!
The Government is glad to find that its efforts to introduce a larger element of local personnel into some of the higher ranks of the Government service meet with gen
Sir Henry Pollock also enquired eral approval in spite of a tempor-
whether all necessary information ary increase in the personal emolu- ments votes during the transitional
had been sent Home to the Con- period. While on this subject I
sulting Engineers, and the Director of Public Works might correct an erroneous impres- and the motion was carried. sion left by
answered that all information had the Senior Chinese
Dangerous Drugs. Unofficial member's speech that The Attorney General
been supplied.
Vehicular Ferry. promotion is made solely on the moved "A Bill to amend and con- grounds of seniority.
solidate I can as-
With regard to the resolution the law relating to relating to sure the Honourable Member that Dangerous Drugs" and in so doing $170,000 on the Vehicular Ferry the expenditure of this is not the case.
stated that the necessity of amend Sir Henry Pollock asked the H.E.'s New Residence.
ing the law was imposed on them Director of Public Works if he The Hon. Mr. Shenton has by the Geneva Convention, No. 2, could inform him
re-
these ferred to the proposed country re- of 1931. The opportunity had sidence for His Excellency the been taken to consolidate the Governor in the New Territories. various Ordinances in the manner I am sure the support given by the prescribed in the table of corres- Council to this proposal will be very pondence attached to the Bill. gratifying to His Excellency, Sir The principal new Clause, No. 5, William Peel, who has authorized set out the names
of the dan-
me to to say that when a new Gov- gerous drugs to which the Ordin- vernment House, on a cooler site, ances applied.
is ready for occupation, as we hope it soon may be, for the present Government House, which dates from 1852, is seldom free from
workmen, His Exvellency is prepar-
when
works were likely to be completed. The Director of Public Works: The completion of the work is de- pendent on two things, namely the completion of the ferry boats and of the ferry piers. I am only able to speak on the ferry piers and it is anticipated that the work in this connexion will be finished, at the latest by the end of January.
The New Gaol.
Loan Fund Resolutions. The Colonial Secretary: There are six resolutions dealing with
Sir Henry Pollock, referring to expenditure from Loan Funds the new Gaol at Wong Ma Kok, asked if the money was a vote on standing in my name and they
ed to relinquish Mountain Lodge as have been left to the last to allow the structure of the Gaol and was
a Governor's residence.
I doubt have noticed
Honourable Members will no
for criticism during the Budget the omission debate. No query has been raised from this year's estimates of the and I take it I may assume that provision for the Chinese School at the explanations set out in the the University. This due to the memoranda of the Treasurer and recommendations. of the committee the Director of Public Works have
nothing to do with the approach.
The Director of Public Works: The money is to be used partly for the approach road, partly for site formation and foundations materials. and partly for indents for