(
C. S. O. M.F. 237.
>
(6)
39
be dealt with in the memoranda and the foot-notes, the Hon. Mr. Tratman has succeeded in present- ing to the public a clear perspec- tive of our economic situation.
On the Revenue side of the draft Estimates there is only one item- "Assessed Taxes"--on which I have a few remarks to offer. In spite of these hard times, with innumerable vacant shops and tenement houses in all parts of the Colony, this item shows an in- crease of $200,000; and the ex- planation given in the foot-notes is "Normal increase.”
Empty Houses.
bouses
Allowing for the new that have been erected since the last Budget was passed, we must not forget the equally large num- ber of old houses which, on the other hand, have been vacated. It is an unchallenged fact that at this moment there are more empty houses or flats than there were at this time last year, and my Chinese colleagues and I are driven to the conviction that the increase revenue is due not so much to normal development as to the higher ratable values placed tenement houses by the Assessor's. Office. This action has had an adverse effect on the Colony, in that the higher the assessment, the higher becomes the rental, 201 that the increased burden ultimate- ly falls on the tenants.
in
on
In this connection the Hongkong and Kowloon Property Owners As- sociation has recently made repre- sentations to the Chinese members of the two Councils asking that the Government be requested to grant certain alleviations, even tempora- rily, by a reduction in the rates, and by separate assessment for each floor in all houses which are let by the floor, each having access to a common staircase.
After careful consideration my Chinese colleagues and I cannot support the plea for a reduction in rates, for the simple reason that the Budget has to be balanced, and that if the rates were reduced other forms of taxation, perhaps more burdensome to the people, would have to be imposed to en- able the Government to carry on. We do, however, commend to the sympathetic consideration of the Government the request for separate assessment for each floor as a temporary measure of relief to the people. Only recently I have heard that the owner of a house which was partly empty, found it cheaper to give “notice to quit" to the remaining tenants, so as to leave the whole house vacant, which would enable him to obtain a refund of the rates paid. Under the present system tenement houses are assessed as a whole, and no refund of rates is made for vacant floors. With this subject the Hon. Mr. T. N. Chau will, I understand, deal in greater detail.
Chinese Censors.
On the Expenditure side of the draft Estimates, several matters call for remarks and comments. In connexion with the items "Chinese Assistant" and "Chinese Press Censors" in the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, I desire to pay a long-delayed tribute to these of- ficers for the manner in which they have discharged their onerous duties. No one outside the De- partment knows more than I do~ for I had some direct association with the work of Chinese Press censorship in the troublous years of the general strike and boycott in 1925 and 1926-what a difficult and thankless task these Censors have to perform. The work has to be dove within certain prescribed beurs, and done at high pressure. t has been a marvel to me how it could have been performed so efficiently by jest four men under the Chinese Assistant; and the absence of serious mistakes and complaints is a standing tribute to the ability and tact of Mr. Lau Tsz-ping and his junior colleagues. Mr. Wood's Retirement.
It may not be out of place here to refer to the impending retire- ment of my honourable friend, M A. E. Wood, Secretary for Chinese Affairs. The Chinese members of Council heard the announcement, as did the whole Chinese munity, with more than ordinary gret, for Mr. Wood, during his ong association with the Secre- tariat, has won the high esteem and admiration of all those who know him.
com-
The announcement came as a surprise to the Chinese community, though not to me personally, for I had for some time known that he had been contemplating retire- ment on grounds of health. My Chinese colleagues and I sincerely hope that Your Excellencv may, find it possible to prevail upon Mr. Wood to suspend his application for retirement until after the ex- piration of his leave of absence which may, as we earnestly hope, restore him to such a state of health as may induce him to acceão to the very urgent wish of the Chinese community that he should remain in his post for a few more years. Mr. Wood being only 49, the prolongation of his service for a few more years would not be an undue obstacle to the advancement of his junior colleagues, while it would be to the best interest of the Colonv.
Strange System.
Under Harbour Department, Special Expenditure, on page 28, again appears the item "Traïning Expenses for Assistant Govern- ment Marine Surveyor in Eng- land." The amount required in 1934, is $7,680. In connexion with the Budget for the year 1932, the honourable senior unofficial mem- ber, on behalf of the whole un- official body, said that the system
of training
men after they had been engaged, in order to qualify them for their work, seemed to be one that was open to condemna- tion, and that it was not only un- economical but did not conduce to efficiency. He further expressed the hope that in future only properly qualified men would be engaged. I have been unable to trace any reply by the Government to this comment. The system is certainly expensive, costing the Colony from nearly $8,000 to $9,- 000, according to the rate of ex- change ruling at the time, to give training to one single Assistant If Government Marine Surveyor. there is good reason for this ex- penditure, that reason should, I submit, be given to this Council.
On page 51 of the draft Estim- ates provision is made for the, ex- penses of the Juvenile Offenders Remand Home. In connexion with this matter, may I enquire when the Juvenile Court will com. mence to function? The Juvenile Offenders Ordinance was passed as long ago as the 11th February, 1932, and it would be of interest. to know what are the causes which have held up the implementation of this very necessary legislation.
Chinese Police.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary in his Budget speech invited atten- tion to the new grade of Sub- Inspector in the Chinese Police Contingent, and said that it was hoped "to recruit for these posts young men of good education who will, after a few years probation- ary training, be competent to take their place in the commissioned ranks."
He went on to say that 'hitherto recruitment has only been of men who, however efficient they may be in other respects, are not the type that makes Assistant Superintendents." It is a matter of gratification to the Chinese com- munity that this important open- ing has been made to the Chinese. It is our hope and belief that sufficient qualified candidates will be forthcoming, and that the ap- pointees will prove themselves worthy of these positions of greater responsibilities now-offer- ed to the Chinese community for the first time in the history of Hongkong.
Under Public Works Extra-` ordinary on page 104 appears the item "Dredging," the estimated cost of which is $320,000, and the provision made for next year is $224.000. In the Notes on Public Works Extraordinary prepared by the Hon. Director of Public Works it is stated that a portion of this cost will be borne by the Admiralty and the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., Ltd. As the sum involved is large, it would interest the public to know the respective amounts of the contri- butions from these two sources.
North Point Beach. While I am still on the subject of Public Works Extraordinary, may I take this opportunity to
Page 40Page 41