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14
53
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(ColSec.) N.L. Smith (Col. Sec.)
in this annual Debate. The Finan- | cial Secretary has replied to the financial points raised by Honourable Members and it remains for me, in closing the debate, to refer to the more important of the other questions which have been touched upon.
There are three major administra- tive questions that have come in for considerable criticism, not only in to- day's Debate but in the discussions which preceded this meeting and, to some extent, in the correspondence columns of the local press, namely Immigration, Food Control and Fire- wood Control.
I am authorised by His Excellency the Acting Governor to state that he has yesterday, with consent of the Executive Council, decided to appoint a strong Commission, the composi- tion of which will be announced without delay, to enquire into vari- ous allegations which have recently been made against the Immigration Officer and his staff.
With this in view it would be improper for me to discuss the matter in this Council, but I should like to assure Honourable Members that in the last few days Mr Forrest has been provided not only with additional accommodation but also with another capable administrative assistant. I will not say more except to state that the foundations of the department were, in the opinion of the Govern- ment, laid on the best lines advised by an expert from Malaya; and also that the urgency of starting the Immigration Department was con- stantly pressed upon Mr Forrest in spite of his requests for for preparation.
more
Civil Servants' Position The Hon. Mr Paterson and
the Hon. Mr Dodwell have both remarked on the ill-effects, especially noticeable in times of crisis, of the apparently inviolable position en- joyed by Government servants and the difficulties which lie in the way of discarding the inefficient. Un- fortunately, perhaps, or fortunate- ly for the officers concerned, perhaps, neither the Govern-
ment nor this Council has an entirely free hand in this matter, as was explained in the 1939 Budget debate (1939 Hansard, p.225), as the rules under which all Government servants above a certain rank are governed in all matters of discipline, salary, increments and the like are universal throughout the Colonial Empire.
Another point raised by the Hon. Mr Dodwell has also been the sub- ject of earlier discussion in this Council, namely his attempted com- parison between the sum spent on personal emoluments and the sums
social spent on
services. This, I think it will be agreed, is a cross- division, as doctors and schoolmasters and market inspectors must draw salaries just as much as those officers whose duties are merely adminis- trative. A study of the final column on page 15 of the Estimates now pre- sented, which shows the percentage which each Government department bears to the total expenditure for the year, would. I suggest, give a clearer view of any disparity such as Mr Dodwell criticises.
Provision of Vessels
The point which the Hon. Mr Shields makes about the provision of vessels for the Admiralty time
will be further examined.
Food Control and Firewood As regards Food Control, also, to- day's debate comes at a somewhat in- the whole opportune moment
de-
as
in the
organisation of this important fence department has been, last week, under very active scrutiny. An announcement on this subject will be made at an early date.
The price of firewood and the con- servation of adequate reserves for defence purposes has long been the concern of the Government, which sent, a month or so ago, a special representative to enquire into this vital necessity in Manila, Borneo and Malaya. The first shipment of Government purchased firewood from Sandakan may shortly be expected and it is hoped that this and sub- sequent consignments will go some distance towards a solution of this difficult problem.
The Hon. Mr Tam has remarked on the present lawlessness in the Colony and this is only too apparent from accounts that come from various sources. Such a state of affairs is hardly unexpected at a time when Hongkong is as overcrowded as ever and when so great a part of that surplus population comprises the paupers, and So the potential criminals, of the neighbouring parts of South China. Banishment, plus a rigorous enforcement of the Immi- gration Ordinance, are the most obvious remedies; but I think it is also to be noted that in existing cir- cumstances of military precautions the calls on the Police Force are so great that some diminution in their normal duties of preventing crime is hardly unexpected.
was
It is quite true
con-
that at the time when this offer was made it was I think generally thought that the War was a remote incident to which the Colony should tribute in this remote way, and there little expectation of the vast local preparations which have been forced upon us since the events in Europe of last summer. At the same time the offer was a firm one and, even if no actual ex- penditure has yet been incurred, it may be felt that the question of dis- honouring that promise should not be considered so long as our local re- venue comes in at its present rate. I cannot, however, say more on this subject at the moment except to promise a full and early examination. No one can, Gentlemen, say that to-day's debate indicates a sub- servient or an uncritical attitude such as has occasionally been charged against the Unofficial Members of this Council. I venture to say that the healthy and helpful criticisms such as we have heard to-day are welcomed by the Government and are evidence of the appreciation of those Members of their important duty as representatives of the public. Whether on matters of de- tail in our Finance Committee dis- cussions or on broad questions of policy as in to-day's debate I have personally always found those re- presentatives constructive in their criticisms and jealous guardians of the public good. (Applause).
The resolution was then put to the Vote and was approved.
APPROPRIATION BILL
The Financial Secretary moved the first reading of "A Bill to apply a sum not exceeding $52,483,294 to the Public Services of the financial year beginning on April 1, 1941, and end-
ing on March 31, 1942, and also to apply an additional sum not exceed- ing $832,000 to the Waterworks Renewals and Improvements Fund for the service of that Fund in the said financial year."
The Attorney General seconded and the Bill was read a first time.
INCREASE IN DUTIES
Rationing of Petrol May Be Introduced
CAR OWNERS WARNED
Resolutions relating to the in- crease in duties on hydrocarbon oils and liquor and the imposition of a new duty on table waters, details of which have already been published, were moved by the Financial Secre- tary, the Hon. Mr H. R. Butters, at a meeting of the Legislative Council yesterday.
The Financial Secretary said:
The duty on light oils, that is on petrol, was increased, by His Excel- lency's order, to 80 cents per gallon on November 7, 1940. The object of the increase in petrol duty is, by re- ducing consumption, to conserve foreign exchange and save tankerage. It is not intended as a revenue pro- ducing measure.
I am authorised by His Excellency to state for the information of Hon.
to Members and as a warning
the i public that if this measure fails in its primary object, namely, to reduce consumption particularly in respect of private cars, the rationing of petrol may have to be introduced.
The increase in the duty on heavy oils to be used as fuel for heavy oil road vehicles from 30 to 40 cents per gallon and the imposition of a duty of 10 cents per gallon on other hydrocarbon oils hitherto untaxed, with effect in both cases from January 16, 1941, are, as indicated in my speech to this council on that day, revenue producing measures.
Liquor
A second resolution gives effect to the increases in liquor duties which were announced in this Council on January 16, 1941, and which put into immediate effect by His Excellency's order.
Table Waters
were
The third resolution gives effect to the imposition of a duty on table waters which was announced in this Council on January 16, 1941, and which was put into immediate effect by His Excellency's order.
Seconded by the Attorney General, the Hon. Mr C. G. Alabaster, the resolutions were approved.
BILLS INTRODUCED
On the motion of the Hon. Mr Alabaster, seconded by the Hon. Mr Butters, the following Bills were also read a first time: "A Bill to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance,
to 1935," and "A Bill
amend the Hongkong Corps of Air Raid Wardens Ordinance, 1940."
The following Bills were passed: "A Bill to amend the Places of Public Entertainment Regulation Ordinance, 1919", and "A Bill to amend the Entertainments Tax Ordinance,
1930."
Council was adjourned sine die.