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I venture to think that the above words, which should be a timely re- minder to all British subjects of their duties, are at once a message and an appeal to the whole of the British Empire, of which this Colony is a part. They should make all residents in Hongkong feel that the Colony should make this cash con- tribution, not grudgingly, but freely and enthusiastically, and in a spirit of thankfulness that, in spite of the War, the Colony should be able to make such a gift out of its surplus, and without diminishing such sur- plus to a point endangering the Colony's financial stability.
Sir, it is in this spirit that, on behalf of my Chinese colleagues on this Council, and on behalf of the Chinese Community we have the honour to represent on this Council, I record my concurrence with the terms of the Resolution now before this Council. (Applause).
The motion was approved.
GOVERNOR'S ASSURANCE H.E. the Governor: The fact that Government has been able to-day to put before this Council the definite proposals which were the subjects of the two resolutions just adopted by the Council discloses that there has been considerable prior discussion of the forms which this Colony's con- tribution to His Majesty's Govern- ment should take in the event of its being made.
That was necessary, so far as the Secretary of State for the Colonies was concerned, on account of Colonial regulations and, in respect to the Fighting Services, in order to put those wishes into effect without loss of time. I wish, however, to make it clear that those discussions have been entirely on a contingent basis and that the Colony has not been pledged or committed to any expenditure in anticipation of the Legislature's approval.
It follows, of course, that the Secretary of State is already aware of this afternoon's transactions in this Council and he has warmly ap- proved them in advance. I have also been given by him to under- stand that these gifts will be receiv- ed with very grateful appreciation by His Majesty's Government, by whom they are regarded as a most generous and practical contribution to the common effort that is being made throughout the British Empire towards victory and peace.
(Ap- plause).
OTHER BUSINESS
Six Bills Pass Through
Their Final Stages
The following Bills were read al third time and passed.-"A Bill to amend the Incitement to Disaffection Ordinance, 1939"; "A Bill to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899"; "A Bill to regulate the clos- ing hours of retail shops"; "A Bili to provide for the establishment and regulation of the Hongkong Corps of Air Raid Wardens"; "A Bill to make provision for the Administration of and Estates by Consular Officers"; "A Bill to make such special pro-- vision with respect to trade marks as is expedient to meet any emer- gency which may arise as a result of war."
Council was adjourned sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
War Expenditure Exceeding $6,000,000 Approved
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Votes totalling $18,850 under the 1939 Estimates and $272,178 under the 1940 Estimates as well as $6,491,- 119 for War Expenditure were ap- proved at a meeting of the Finance Committee which followed, that of the Legislative Council.
The war expenditure comprised.- War Taxation Department (personal emoluments, $300,000, other charges, $100,000); Extraordinary Local De- fence (Naval, $875,000, Military, $337,000); Contribution to Imperiał Government (Admiralty, $2,350,000, War Department, $150,000, Cash, $1,627,119); Censorship, $434,000; In- ternment of Enemy Aliens, $137,000, Department of Information, $44,000, Shipping Control Board, $12,000; Food Control, $95,000; Miscellaneous, $30,000.
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