Enclosure No.3.
Extracted from the SOUTH CHINA MORNING FOST dated 8.10.36.
DEBATE ON THE
ESTIMATES
Unofficial Members_ Critical, But Appreciative Of Government's
Difficulties
BUDGET REVISION
CHANGE IN PROCEDURE SUGGESTED
GOVERNOR MAKES STATEMENT ON CORONATION PLANS
ROADS MAINTENANCE
A revision of Hongkong's Budget procedure was suggested by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Andrew Caldecott, at the conclusion of the debate on
His the Budget yesterday. Excellency outlined the practice in Malaya and other Colonies and said he was obtaining further information in order to place it before members of the Executive Council and have their views. If it impressed them it could be adopted next year.
His Excellency declared that by the last mail he had received a dispatch from the Secretary of State on Colonial celebrations of the King's Coronation next May. In it, the Secretary left to the local authority the making of arrangements and suggested the early appointment of a committee to go into details. This suggestion would be acted upon, said the Governor, and a special vote put up for discussion.
Eulogistic references to the work done by private charities and volunteer services in Hongkong were made by His Excellency. At a time of economic depression, generosity was doubly generous, he said, and on behalf of the Colony he thanked donors and workers alike for their efforts.
His Excellency indicated that soon he hoped to reciprocate the hospitality he had received in Canton on his recent visit.
The general tone of the Unofficial Members' speeches was one of appreciation of the Government's difficulties. Several points of Government policy were criticised, however, the need for road maintenance and the payment of excess water rates being mentioned by several members.
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