9
99
indirect taxation, is borne propor- tionately by the migratory as well as by the settled population of the Colony.
The Government has fully and frankly accepted the policy of replac- ing wherever possible European by Asiatic, employees, but it must be evident that such a policy can show its full effect only gradually.
Tourist Traffic
con-
Government whole-heartedly curs in the hope of a greater res- ponse to the appeal for funds to aid in popularising Hongkong as a place of resort. Referring to the bathing paviljons whose retention is urged in connection with this scheme, I would say that it is Government's intention to allow them to remain as long as may. possibly be, but that it will be appreciated that shipping and industrial development must have first claim on the North Point area. The opening up of other areas suitable for bathing has not been lost sight of, and any application from swimming clubs
or similar societies for the use of such places will be considered sympathetically.
on
I cannot agree, however, that it is in accordance with Government's general policy to provide recreation grounds commercial lines. I think it will be generally agreed that the profitability of such enterprises can safely be left to the judgment of the investing community, and I am advised that when a reasonable prospect of a profitable investment exists the capital is rarely lacking.
The fostering of good relation- ships with Canton is necessarily a matter of much concern to this Gov- ernment, and Government has, SO far as lies in its power, taken the initiative by encouraging the change of visits between its officials and those in similar positions Canton. It notes also with gratifica- tion a similar action, sponsored by the Honourable Mr. W. H. Bell, on the part of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, which, as commercial understanding is of prime importance, is even move in the right direction and merits all possible aid and encour- agement from the Government.
ex-
call for no further comment.
Necessity for Economy The Honourable Mr. Paterson has
Tferection of sters outside the Kowton Hospital matter rather rightly called attention to the extent for the Bus Comp than the Gov-to which Hongkong's difficulties are ernment, and in any case to
not of its own. making, and Govern- ment be doubted wheth the traffic would made abundently clear, to the. neces- as has been is fully alive, justify the expert
sity for economy.
Streetghting
The reduction. expenditure on! street lighting not to be inter- preted that Go
ment contemplates cutting down amount of light, but merely that has secured more favourable terms: In point of fact, experiments are, I am advised, at present in progress, and it is hop- ed to improve street lighting at very little additional cost.
<
The drainage of the Yaumati and Homuntin areas has long been a re- cognised desideratum, but has, like more desirable projects, been post- poned for better times. It involves works of considerable magnitude, and it is not considered that the number of persons likely to derive benefit from such a project justifies such expense at the present.
The Hon. Member will also have noted that a sum has been allocat- ed for anti-malarial work on the Mainland, and an effort will be madei to secure to Homuntin its due share of attention.
addition, the attention, of the Head of the Sanitary Department will be directed to the problem; my information is to the effect that the only recent complaint of mosquito nuisance in Homuntin was traced to breeding on the premises of one of the residents, which again illustrates the need of co-operation on the part of the public.
In
The schedules for bus services are drawn up by the Inspector General of Police in consultation with the
Companies concerned, and as the Honourable Member in
has been good enough to draw Government's atten- tion to the inconvenience caused in this respect to Homuntin residents, the Inspector General of Police will be instructed to investigate the ques- tion.
more a
The Honourable Member's sugges- tion regarding procedure on the pre- sentation of future budgets deserves full consideration, and the helpful spirit in which it is offered is high- ly appreciated.
Seven Opium Shops
The contradiction in the Budget speech to which Honourable Mr. J. P. Braga draws attention in his opening paragraphs is apparent rather than real. The opening, on the Secretary of State's instructions, of seven more opium shops does not imply that the Colony will thereby increase even its gross revenue from the sale of opium, or even that it aims to do so. Rather it is to be interpreted as a further attempt to secure stricter control of a traffic recognised as undesirable with a view to its ultimate extinction; the shops to be opened are to take the place of thirteen licensed retailers, whose licences will be simultaneous- ly terminated. It must be obvious that the termination of the mono- poly would, so long as a demand exists, have the effect merely of handing over the trade entirely to illegitimate dealers, who already present a sufficiently formidable pro- blem.
The reduction in the Medical De- partment's European staff-one nurs- ing sister-is in consonance with Government's declared policy of utilising the services of Asiatics wherever possible.
The Honourable Member's claim for further expenditure on the Rail- way frontage in Kowloon has already been dealt with in the introductory speech on the first reading (under Botanical and
the
head of
the
Suggestions Welcomed
The application of the New Terri- tories Agricultural Association for further facilities for the marketing of New Territories produce in Kow- loon is assured of sympathetic at- tention as soon as it is referred to Government; but any construction of matsheds for residence in an urban area would be regarded
as a re- trograde step with nothing
to re- commend it, and permission could hardly be granted. If, however, what is ultimately intended is that producers should be by some means brought into direct touch with con- sumers, any suggestions effect will be welcome.
to
that
The improvement of the roads and bridges in the New Territories is undoubtedly a matter of much im- portance, and it is with great regret that Government finds it impractic- able to allot to this item the funds which would permit it to be treat- ed on an adequate scale. The ur- gency of the matter may, however, have been somewhat overstated by the Honourable Member, for the in- creased development of the New Territories which he envisages im- plies a degree of economic recovery in the Colony which would go far towards making available the re- quisite funds.
per-
It is the intention of Government to proceed with the scheme, or rather with the schemes, for expansion of pig and poultry breeding in New Territories as and when funds mit. Mr. C. F. Strickland's report, to which the Honourable Member makes reference, though it does not refer specifically to these two acti- vities, is closely concerned with them. At the present moment Gov- ernment is engaged in exploring the possibility of obtaining locally an expert of the type required, an in- stance of the type of economy which, I am confident. will meet with the
Shipping, as the ultimate bass of the Colony's wealth and of Govern- ment's revenue, is naturally a "con- stant concern; and I am advised that the charges for dues and services in Hongkong are based on the Board of Trade rates, and compare, yery favourably with those of competing ports in the Far East. Reference might also be made to the fuller answer given by the Colonial Secre- tary in connection with the 1935 Budget, as recorded on page 180 of Hansard 1934. Every care is taken to ensure that competitive advan- tages shall not operate triment of Hongkong.
are
Postal Charges
to the de-.
The
Turning now to the suggested re- remembered that three fifths of the view of postal charges, it must be
outpayments in respect of carriage of mails are in local currency and
unaffected by exchange. remaining two fifths are paid not in sterling but in international gold francs; the Hongkong dollar has not during the past three years appre- ciated much in terms of this cur- rency. Of the domestic expenditure of the department in wages and salaries only one fifth is based on sterling. The remainder is in local currency unaffected by exchange.
for
The denominations of stamps used
the Empire and the Foreign letter rates, namely 10 cents and 20 cents are specially designed Jubilee stamps. Throughout the Empire it has been decided to use these issues until December 31 of this year and any local alteration of rates would involve a departure from this uni- form policy. The 5 cent rate to China which is also served by a Jubilee stamp cannot be altered without reference to the Chinese Administration as the rate which is the same in both directions has been fixed by mutual agreement.
Air Mails Reduced
While these considerations affect the possibility of the reduction ask- ed for, I would invite the Honour-
able Member's attention to the con- cession already granted this year in respect of air mail charges, a con- cession made at the cost of direct loss to Government, inasmuch as the stamp revenue recovered fails to cover the direct expense of transit charges. It is proposed, neverthe- i less, that the question shall be brought up for further consideration early in 1936 in the light of the exchange situation as then existing.
་
The question of the maintenance of an independent Government tele- phone exchange was fully discussed in 1932 by the Retrenchment Com- mission, and I would invite the Honourable Member's attention to pages 7 and 36 of the Commission's Report. The position has not alter- ed since then, and the peculiar situation of the Government system, with its constant intercommunication requiring something in the nature of a sub-exchange, and its very long connecting wires, render it extreme- ly unlikely that the proposal to abandon the independent system would be economic.