- 21
sible to judge the popularity or otherwise of broadcasting is by the number of radio receiving licences taken out. At present the number of licences held by Europeans is 1,571 and those held by non-Europeans, of whom 95% are Chinese,
is 1,311.
231
Charitable Services.
The attention of the Government has recently been
drawn to the widespread and increasing distress which the bad
times have brought upon officers of the Mercantile Marine. His Excellency accordingly appointed a Committee under the
chairmanship of the Attorney General to investigate the facts
and make recommendations for the future. Among the recommenda-
tions of this Committee is the creation of a permanent com- mittee to deal with deserving cases and the appropriation annually of an adequate sum for that purpose which has been fixed provisionally at the $20,000 shewn as sub-head 17 of
this head. I feel sure that Honourable Members will agree that in a port like Hong Kong such a step is fully justified,
Defence.
It will be observed that the scheme for a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve rejected in 1929 has been revived. As already announced in the press considerable enthusiasm for this scheme is being shewn by the sea-minded section of the community and being advised in the light of closer examina- tion that competition with the land corps need not assume serious proportions, the Government has felt justified in bringing the scheme before the Council afresh.
acd that if the Council shares the Government's views it is hoped to introduce the necessary legislation at a very early
I nay