29.
291
That, Sir, brings me to an end of my presentation of the 1936 Estimates. I have already apologised for any shortcomings in that presentation due to my own inexperience.. That it has been possible at all in the circumstances is, as Hon. Members will readily understand, due very largely to the painstaking and accurate work of Hr. Grantham whom I venture on behalf of the Council to congratulate on his recent selec- tion for a higher post elsewhere. If Hong Kong's Estinates are less lucid in future years I am sure that Bermuda's will be models for the Colonial Empire.
Times are hard in Hong Kong as in other parts of the world; and if our constant attempts at economies and our constant search for more revenue may appear disheartening I would suggest that the remedy is not only that courage which has brought the Colony to its present state through periodical times of depression, but also that long view of the Colony's future which can visualise an era far beyond the twelve months
of 1936.
Sir, I beg to move the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to apply a su not exceeding $23,840,416 to the Public Service of the year 1936."