Owing to the abnormal situation in the Straits Settlements and Ceylon, the Hongkong rice market was seriously affected and it became necessary for the Government to take steps to ensure that the poorer classes of the Colony were able to obtain this commodity, which is their staple food, at a reasonable price. The Government therefore took general control of the rice trade in the Colony and made large purchases to tide over the threatened crisis. This action no doubt saved the Colony much trouble from the working classes who had shown signs of restlessness on account of the ever increasing price of rice which reached as high as $18.50 per picul for grades which normally could be purchased for $5. Even this action did not prevent the more unruly element among the working classes causing considerable disturbances in various parts of the City, and rice merchants' stores were frequently looted. The tactful supervision of the Police however prevented any serious outbreak of disorder.
Celebrations in connection with the declaration of peace were held on the 18th and 19th July. Processions of various descriptions paraded the City of Victoria and the whole Colony participated in the effort to show in a suitable manner their satisfaction at the termination of the long and disastrous war.
The Colonial Secretary (Mr. Claud Severn) administered the Government from the 1st January until the arrival of Sir Edward Stubbs, who arrived in and assumed the government of the Colony on the 30th September.
I. - FINANCES
The revenue for the year amounted to $16,524,975 being $359,240 more than the estimate and $2,140,273 less than the revenue for the previous year.
Compared with the returns for 1918 there were increases under every head with the exception of Licences and Miscellaneous Receipts.
The expenditure amounted to a total of $17,915,925 inclusive of a sum of $2,235,002 spent on Public Works Extraordinary and one of $546,712 being a contribution to the Imperial Government for war expenses.
2
Owing to the abnormal situation in the Straits Settlements and Ceylon, the Hongkong rice market was seriously affected and it became necessary for the Government to take steps to ensure that the poorer classes of the Colony were able to obtain this commodity, which is their staple food, at a reasonable price. The Government therefore took general control of the rice trade in the Colony and made large purchases to tide over the threatened crisis. This action no doubt saved the Colony much trouble from the working classes who had shown signs of restlessness on account of the ever increasing price of rice which reached as high as $18.50 per picul for grades which normally could be purchased for $5. Even this action did not prevent the more unruly element among the working classes causing considerable disturbances in various parts of the City, and rice merchants' stores were frequently looted. The tactful supervision of the Police however prevented any serious out- break of disorder.
Celebrations in connection with the declaration of peace were held on the 18th and 19th July. Processions of various descriptions paraded the City of Victoria and the whole Colony participated in the effort to show in a suitable manner their satisfaction at the termination of the long and disastrous war.
The Colonial Secretary (Mr. Claud Severn) administered the Government from the 1st January until the arrival of Sir Edward Stubbs, who arrived in and assumed the government of the Colony on the 30th September.
I. -FINANCES.
The revenue for the year amounted to $16,524,975 being $359,240 more than the estimate and $2,140,273 less than the re- venue for the previous year.
Compared with the returns for 1918 there were increases under every head with the exception of Licences and Miscellaneous Receipts.
The expenditure amounted to a total of $17,915,925 inclusive of a sum of $2,235,002 spent on Public Works Extraordinary and one of $546,712 being a contribution to the Imperial Government for war expenses.
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