1923-05-04 — Page 8

Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Export Co., Ltd.

ELECTRICAL FLANT AND ACCESSORIES OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS.

BOLE DISTRIBUTORS IN CHINA & BONGKONG. ARNHOLD & Co., Ltd. 1A, Chater Road,

CORRESPONDENCE.

*Phone Contral 1500.

THE CHINA MAIL.

chorgo, whatever rents they like, with litigants, it was, belive spe, whilst the old dwelling, are still entirely due to the unperfect know. subject to the Rents Ordnance. ledge or ignorance of the law on For even new houses other than the part of the majority of the those ao reconstructed is to be all public, and I desire no other sup ed "new" there is also; 1 emphati-port for my assertion than his cally say, a remedy But now he anxiety to explain the intention of did contradict himself. when he said the Rents Ordinance in the local that in 20 years time the supply papers recently. Instruct the pub might exceed the demand, and then lic in the way I have suggested and at the same breath ho disclaimed you will have thousands of litigante that belief by saying the Lord only trooping to the Law Courts knows what would happen during mon cost or BUILDING NOT DUE. To that time.

..

BENT ORDINANDELA That was, after all, merely, an Much less can I be reconciled to inconsistency in argument; but his view as to the uncertainty whe what does matter and matters much ther the shortage of land or the high was his extraordinary demand for cost of building was due to the the abrogation of the existing Rents Rents Ordinance; on the contrary Ordinance. That domand if it is my firm belief that the Rents acquiesced in would be prejudicial Ordinance should, have the very to the touanta in general to which opposite effect if it is legally on class the majority of the public forced and not left a dead letter as belong; for, once the Rents Ordin- it now appéans to be ance is repealed the Landlords will,

BUILDING BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS UNFEASIBLE.

+

NOVEL NECKLACE.

BEETLES LEGS USED,

novel gift which has been received A necklace of beetles": legs is a by the wife of Mr. L.M. Shepherd, official secretary to Sir Joseph, Cook, the High Commissioner for Australia. It has been sent by a friend who has just returned from the Solomon islands."

The necklace, which is now on view in the collection of Australian curios in Australia House, Strand, is of great beauty and fairy light- oss. It is composed of eight strands and is just over two feet in length, It weighs only 1-25th of an ounce. Several thousand beetles must be caught before one necklace:

is made.

HOUSING PROBLEM SOLUL povsible not to expect frequent re-nate extent that it will be fearful ayils atul pointed out the kind of porter was told by the keeper of the

Ordinanc

TJON.

.

In colour it is a rich iridescent green, flashing bright shades of red and yellow when moved about un- is impossible to tell the extent they as it can only be humanly expected,

der the light. The insects. from may lead to, and it is equally it once, raise rents to such extor

Having dwelt on the existing which it is made, a Daily Mail re- crudescences of strikes which in to contemplate the results attend-

legislation necessary to cope with curios, is the Australian bronze» turn react on the cost of living until it

them, I will now proceed to con-winged Beetle He did not, of course, realise that sider the question of house building. Only one joint of the leg of the the whole position becomes well [To the Editor of the "China Mall."]igh inssible even for trade 10centive to, and just cause for, more meeting both Messrs. D. V. Stea length, is used in making a link of it would inevitably give fresh in-1 and thait, at the recent public beetle, about an eighth of an inch in be carried on."

LOSS OF TRADE POSSIBLE, and more strikes of such a nature venson und F. I, de V. Soares were the necklace. The joint is then Sir-It is unquestionably true

as to eclipse in their intensity all that the majority of tenants and land incredible as it may at firsthe already very high cost of living no doubt, praiseworthy, but the as love tokens by the Solomon This may sound to owinous those previously known and make in favour of houses being built by strung on a fine thread of vegetable sub-tenants have a very imperfectight appear to be, it is, neverthe

corporations, The intentions are fibre. Similar necklaces are used knowledge of the protection eyless, true; for there is a limit to 50 high as to bring, in its train

Islands natives. are entitled to under the Rents every thing, and once that limit is widespread misery to the poor will, when applied in practice, not

ideas, though excellent in theory,! I have always been under the overstepped, trade will be diverted the situation becomes so chaotic, so

give the desired result-cheapi as I have already pointed out) that alitions now nilitablug against it. the Colony will lose its life-blood- trade; for then and only then will cheap houses at the present time How can any corporation build the population of the Colony will when land is fetching so high a supply exceed the demand because then have been thinned.

price? They can do it only if the too disal a picture and may appear free land or el, it to them very incredible, but it is nevertheless cheap for that purpose, hut such Government were to grant theni

a thing can, of course, he hardly expected as it will give rise to use for tave any sent ordine much apprehension that we had some eticacious romedies against the Government,

It was with deep concern and such a grevious pass, and as there is charges of favouritism beifig made all if it is imperfectly understood been watching the steady apprecia and not legally enforced while taltion in the value of land and house practices are going on unabated, as properties; but with what feeling its primary intention is to safeguard other than that of alarm we must not only the tenants against the now row the fabulous and, it may touched upon, the following are the co-operate in the building scheme unsound foundation. This is proven j handlords him also the sub-tenants be said, insenente prices, having against the principai tunabis.

recently been paid for both land HOW TO MAKE THE RENTS ORDINANCE and house properties as evidenced The host way of making theils that have taken and are tak- by the private and publie auction Rents Ordinance widely understood will be not roerely to ask the Ting place?

impression that the font Mr. H, to ther channels where the cost of superable (if the limit is reached houses--becanes of the peculiar con- ing materials which has always

production (which is not necessarily Pollock knew its lact until I restricted to manufacture alone) will his leder recently in the local papers lower than it will be in this explaining clearly the legal rights Colony, for Hongkong can at best be the tenants and mib-tenants have described us merely a distributing under the said Orditance. The

centre of trade for South China on explanations offered are still tinely account of its geographical sit and should certainly do a great deal tion. of good if they were properly brought home to their knowledge; otherwise it is practically of little

UNDERSTOGb,

ants Association to disseminate

TENANTS AND BOB-TENÄNIS.

ALARMING APPRECIATION IN LAND AND HORSE VALUE,

''

REAL AND IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF APPRECIATION,

och knowledge but to request the

Surely it had nothing to do with proper authorites to send "their re- presentatives to pay periodicut visitsonoras in the broadest sense of to every flat and buses for that the word instich as the returns on the capital invested in house pro- purpose.

perties have been, in most casos, This deficiency in knowledgegligible, white, those on the especially on the part of the sub capital invested in land can only be tenants who are made up pin-roblematical because the cast of cipally of the wolin and labore the buildings to be erected thereen classes has always been a source lean only he conjectural. What tlen glaring abuses by their principal is the real and immediate cause of the present abnormally high value

tenants who have been mer-of land and house properties? Of fully Heering their unfortunate sub-the several true ressons attributed tenints of a that of a hone or off to it, such as the large influx of everal nams and bed spaces in a flat to the inordinate extent of, in

Chiness into the Colony due to the many cases, ne much us on hundred state of disorders prevailing in the neighbouring countries, causing the

LANDLORDS AND TENANTA.

I do not know whether the Trea

mary Office in aware of any such mal practices, "If not, it teena that proper taxes have not been paid to

the Government.

As I suggested above, if proper ponsons were sent to every house and But, not only the public will have a clear notion of the meaning

truc.

This is

THE EVILS. As matters have not yet come to

radical cure.

to combat the malady, so let it be carefully diagnosed and be given

Apart from other points alreadyj outstanding evils by which the housing problem is confronted and which require proper treatment.

Building Ordinance is, to a great been a stumbling-block in the way of cheap building for which the extent, responsible as it is rubber particular with the kinds af ing. Therefore this Ordinance, too, requires modification. materials to be used in house build-

HOUSH COLLAPSE DUE MORE TO FAULTY 'CONSTRUCTION.

True we have had, at times, bousé collagees, but that was due not so. the cost of land should be paid by ss day been generally believed as to Mr. Soares further proposed that much to the cheap materials used the intending house owner at the the faulty construction of houses, outset as a test of his willingness to such as building in haste, weak or What a proposition indeed! by the fact that there are even now es the building, why should any ing colony of Macan many very vid As land itself now costs as much in Hongkong and in the neighhour- person, who has the means to pur- houses still in existence built of BUBJECT TO RENTS ORDINANCE. chase a piece of land, wait for assist cheap, blue bricks in a good state of 1.-Illegal profiteering by the anes from any particuler corpora preservation after having withstood Landlords by obtaining higher tion to build a house thereon when the test of time and the elements. rente than standard ront from he can easily get such assistaned old tonante.

MIDDLEMAN INDISPENSABLE. elsewhere and common building With regard to the report by the -Ditto from now tenants after at once? That is not all. The im- said Chamber on the indispensability illegally ejecting old tenants.portant point is what is to become or otherwise of the middleman, it 3-Ditto from now tenants for of those who have the desire but is true that the middleman is almost

premises vacated,

not the meady cash to buy a piece indispensable because labour is 4.-Illegally ejecting old tenants of an at the outset? The infer divided into several different groups-

by Landlords.

ence to be drawn is that these peo- each of which is under separate 5.Illegal profiteering by Prin-ple, however worthy they may be, employers and net under the direct eipal tenants from sub-tenants are to be excluded from the schone control of the contractors. If there for whole fats, roots and bed Perhaps it does not, but he oughtsrq suy, middlemen, they are, the to know that many there are who contractors themselves, because NOT SUBJECT TO ORDINANCE xatunted, and that it is they act only as middlemen between 6-Legalized profiteering by expocially for this class of the public builder and labour.

landlords on houses so recon-that all the fighting has been doite structed as to be called in order to provide them with cheap

houers to live in.

spaces.

"' news."

ORDINANCE AGAINST PROFITEKRING ON RECONSTRUCTED HOUGHER.

The Housing Problem is admit- tedly a very complex question, for the proper solution of which it is Becessary to grasp all the intricacies which it offers.

7. High rent chargeil för`new

GOVERNMENT AS BUILDER. per cent, over and above the actual sply of houses to fall short of the

houses.

As I have just remarked; neither Clearly the Rents Ordinance as private individuals nor corporations If the question had been thorough- rent paid by them to the landlords demand, the cagerness of the it now stands does not apply to the can build cheap houses because they ly understood at the very beginning Now, the Kindlords, to have wealthy refugees to possess houses whole list of evils excepting the will have to buy land in the open of the agitation for rent-control, divers ways of fleecing their victimster, speculation, etc., the principle fint part of it classified under Sub-market for which they will have to things would have been quite differ and one of these ways which is reason is that, to avoid meeting the Ject to Rents Ordinance" beginning pay a very high price.

lent to-day and there would have nos generally known but often prac-heavy demands made on their with clause I down to clause 5; but

Therefore, no one but the Gov-been no need for further public sirat by certain bold and unser purses for military and other con with regard to clauses 6 and 7, they arnmont, in spite of opinions to the meetings or for the appointment of pulous landlords is to have their fributions in their native kind, many do not come under it, and it is contrary from certain quarters, can any Commission to reconsider it. ignorant ferants ejected from the of these wealthy people have been therefore necessary to have it build cheap bouses and let then I had given up the idea of plagu Bouses occupied by them under anxious to have as much of their ataended to counteract the evils...

cheaply for the simple reason that,ing myself with the subject again, cone pretext or other in order to Wealth transferred to a place of

apart from any other considerations, but as it is of wich vital importance obtain a innel higher rent by let-security, and they regarded Hong-

if need have to pay nothing for its to the public. I have overcome ting them out to some now tenants kong as the ideal place for that pur

The obvious remedy against own land,

my decision by offering solution to from whom they get, in many cases, hence they have each been legalised profiteering by the Land- This same view I expressed in an the whole question; and I trust you as much as 100 per cent. higher acquiring not one house for the in-lords on new houses so reconstrict article of mine published in the will pardon me for having taken up zunt for old hovers and not for dividual use of each of their family ed as to balled "new" is to end China Mail of the 14th February of so much space in your valuable "now" houses, or houses so recourut many houses and quch land the Bents Ordinance by the addi- last year, and it is significant that paper. structed as to be called "new" for which they have paid fabulution of such a section as will give even recently Mr. Ip Lan Chien,

Yours faithfully, within the meaning of the Build prices without giving any worious to the Landlords in addition to the the Secretary to the Chinese (ien-

J. M. XAVIER. ing Ordinance,

thought to the retums on the capital old standard rent before such re-enil Chamber of Commerce, had laid out.

Hongkong, May 2 LANDLORDS AND PRINCIPAL TENANTS

construction such further rent to expressed the same view which was TO BE PROSECUTED.

FHIGH VALUE GENERALLY FICTITIOUR. be aniculated on a percentage basis, soon afterwards endorsed by the said Therefore, like rent, the value of not exceeding 7 per cent. on the Chamber of Commerce in its report land and houses, too, is in most in- actual cost of the outlay, which is to the Housing Commission, stances fictitions; and cases have to be asscosed by the proper authori "On the Government the whole than the actual amount paid for ORDINANCE TO COVER NEW HOUSES.problem relating to house building been known where higher values ties.

solution of that part of the housing houses had been inserted in deeds of rate in order to enhance the value an Ordinance should be made that the Government will build in oor- To meet the case of new homes, depends, and it is to be hoped that of the properties.

rent should be bagel at the rate' of tain areas as many cheap housen Ás LEGALISED PROFITTERING." 17 percent, on the acttial cost of possible to accommodate the and "intention of the Rents Ordin- Mr. M. K. Lo did brick a boie Lint and building, the value of the Chinoso labourers, and in certain ance int the Government also will, into the Rents Ordinance at the property to be also asserell by the area as many cheap houses d through their investigations, know recent public meeting when he said proper authorities! Such an Onlin-sccommodate the Europeans and the extent of the evasions and vicla that where there were two houses afico will have the effect of checking other nationalities of small niebnis tions of the law. And, without the exactly the same one now, that it speculation and the high prices now who make this Colony their home. beast exaggeration, I can confidently to say, so reconstructed as to be call- freely offered for landed proporties, all the houses to be let at the may that not madreds but then-duct" (the italice are mine) and MOBE TROUBLES IF URDINANCE Nur monthly rent payment system. Bands upon thousands of euch cases the other old the new one was let

This solenie will, I am quite will be brought to-light, and the at exactly twice the rent of the old-If this is not done, thorn will sure, eliminate the rising of any, defaulters should be prosecuted, because he rightly contended that it surely ba plenty of troubles infinite question about racial discrimina TRESENT RENT MOSTLY UNREAL paid the landlords-ta reconstruct oldly worse than tho we are having tion: and by adopting it the Govern With extorticon such as these houses as the outlay was small com-to-day in store for us in the future, mont will confer an incatimabic going an unchecked, it is obviously pared with the profits made after toone tixan 2 years ago I foresaw boon on the public pla alear that the rente of most houses the houses had been reconstructed that we would have some such in this Colony are unreal, that is to when they would be removed from troubles as we have the misfortune): ANCE DESIRAMER say, not Standard Rents as laid rent control. He rightly termed to wines today. Even then I

As to, the, sluggestions which the down by the Rente Ordinance, this legalised profiteering.

suggested, as I have always su Housing Commission invited from HIGH RENT THE CAUSE OF ALL Unfortunately, however, he did gosted, rent, control by asossing the the public, the repart bubmitted by not or could not offer any remedy value of homes properties us the only the Chinese Geneml Chamber of This undue inflation of rente is against it, which was expressly what remedy capable of arresting the pm Cominence to the Housing Comh- an extra heavy burden added to the that meeting was called for adgress of evils attendant on the high roission with the flew to cutting Almady excessively high rent which undoubtedly there touch a remedy cost of living inginly caused by high down as much as possible the cost the poorer classes can hardly bear. DANGER OF REPEALING EXISTING

rent, but my note of warming went of building is on the whole b very and which is the root cause of all TENTS ORDINANCIL tinheeded.

able one, and it is especially so whets the evils complained of high cast, Mr. Lo, therefor expressed the EXISTING ORDINANCE NOT WORKING dentin

the of living, higher wages recurrent hope that the Renta Ordinanco strikes and what not. Evan armed should not be continued until the robberies which are regrettably supply exceed the demand becauso, beecming-elmoet of daily occurrence he said such a state of afstra world new in a great magasure, doa to that be Mought about for another,

not entirely to the unoted twenty years, and ditions in the neighbor coon after he went on

EVILS.,

of China sa bus been asserted only knows.

Ard, unless the root cause of

es vils la entirely erra

201 years sin

build

AMENDED.

BHOOTHLY

I cannot agree with the "Họn.

that the

st

AMENDMENT TO BUILDING ORDIN=

rary Desrunde

digestion sud

FRIDAYMAZ

DAIRY FARM NEWS.

ICE CREAM.

The following favours may be had in brick form, on 24 Hours' notice VANILLA

COFFEE STRAWBERRY NEAPOLITAN CHOCOLATE

RASPBERRY

all

LEMON

$2.00 per quart brick. Deliciously Cooling and Refreshing, Made at our Farm under expert European super- vision and from ingredients of highest quality only.

Peps

SOON STOP

SORE

THROAT

SPREADING DOWN TO THE LUNGS.

THE throw is usually the first spot to fool the

avil affect of any sharp change in the weather," That tickling sensation at the back of the month, ** that alight hoarseness win`specking, timt diffi pulty in swallowing, aro all symptoms of vore throat, and unless these symptoms are promptly. got rid of by a couro of Pops treatment, the trouble will gradually work its way through tho breathing passages right down to the lungs

- Avert this danger by breathing in the med cinal fumes that came from Pops tablots as thay dissolve on the tongue. A soothing and com forting senantion is falt as these Pops Yomes eiroulsta through the nostrils and mouth straight to the danger spot in the throat. Inflammation and soroness of the membrane thab fines the throat and breathing tubos from the mouth to the tungs are stopped, and ili gorms tink baro settled, in the throat:

xo destroyed.

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Shanghai and The Niradi.

THE GERM DESTROYING TABLETS.

AGENTS: Wakefield & Co., 60, Kiangse Road, Shanghai,

SWATOW LACE COMPANY.

JUST RECEIVED

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WHOLESALE & RETAIL:

OF

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INSPECTION INVITED.

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O. BOX 475..

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